Vocabulary Building Blocks: (32 Down) polar (ADJECTIVE) 1. Having a pair of equal and opposite charges; exhibiting ionization. 2. Being of crucial importance. Synonym: pivotal. 3. Extremely cold. Synonyms: arctic, frigid, gelid, glacial, icy. 4. Directly opposite in chararcter; completely opposed. Synonyms: diametric, diametrical, opposite. 5. Of or existing at or near a geographical pole or within the Arctic or Antarctic Circles. 6. Located at or near or coming from the earth's poles. [Derived from Latin, from Greek: polos pivot, pole.

Did You Know? (40 Across) The so-called "reality" television shows have seen a giant leap in popularity over the past few years, with American Idol consistently topping the Nielsen Ratings. Other "reality" shows that have garnered a large audience include Survivor, Dancing With The Stars, and Fear Factor, among others. Reality shows supposedly have no script and no professional actors, but instead use ordinary people, sometimes in extraordinary situations. Whether you watch them or not, this type of program is firmly established in the television broadcast lineup and many are quickly becoming a part of American culture.