LinkedIn Crossclimb #741 Answer & Analysis 

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What connects COOK to BOOK in LinkedIn Crossclimb 741 — and why? We've got you covered! Try the hints first — you might crack it before the reveal.

Puzzle Number

741

Date

2026-05-11

Top

COOK

Bottom

BOOK

Answers for Clues

1.

Refrigerate

••••••

2.

Sheep's coat that might also be used to make a winter coat

••••••

3.

Carpenter's material

••••••

4.

"Little Red Riding ___" (classic fairy tale)

••••••

5.

End of a fishing line

••••••

Word Ladder

COOK
COOL
WOOL
WOOD
HOOD
HOOK
BOOK

Crossclimb 741 Answer & Solution Guide

Answer: COOKBOOK 📖


🎮 Puzzle Overview

Top word: COOK
Bottom word: BOOK
Combined answer: COOKBOOK

Puzzle clue: "The top + bottom rows = A compound word for something full of tasty recipes."

Note: The clue warns "The first word may be at the bottom" - meaning BOOK is at the bottom!


🪜 Complete Word Ladder

PositionWordClue
TopCOOKChef
Rung 1COOLRefrigerate
Rung 2WOOLSheep's coat
Rung 3WOODCarpenter's material
Rung 4HOODLittle Red Riding ___
Rung 5HOOKEnd of a fishing line
BottomBOOKReading material

🧠 Player Solution Walkthrough

Step 1: Understanding the Puzzle

COOKBOOK - a book full of recipes! The clue warns "first word may be at the bottom" - so BOOK is at the bottom.

Step 2: Starting from the Middle

When solving Crossclimb, I often start from the middle clues and work outward. The middle clues are:

  • COOL - "Refrigerate" ✓
  • WOOL - "Sheep's coat" ✓
  • WOOD - "Carpenter's material" ✓
  • HOOD - "Little Red Riding ___" ✓
  • HOOK - "End of a fishing line" ✓

These five words form a chain: COOL → WOOL → WOOD → HOOD → HOOK

Step 3: Connecting to the Ends

Now I need to connect COOK (top) to COOL, and HOOK to BOOK (bottom).

COOK → COOL:

  • COOK: C-O-O-K
  • COOL: C-O-O-L
  • Change K→L at position 4 ✓

HOOK → BOOK:

  • HOOK: H-O-O-K
  • BOOK: B-O-O-K
  • Change H→B at position 1 ✓

Step 4: The Full Ladder

COOK → COOL  (K→L at position 4) ✓
COOL → WOOL  (C→W at position 1) ✓
WOOL → WOOD  (L→D at position 4) ✓
WOOD → HOOD  (W→H at position 1) ✓
HOOD → HOOK  (D→K at position 4) ✓
HOOK → BOOK  (H→B at position 1) ✓

Step 5: Answer

COOK + BOOK = COOKBOOK 📖

A book full of tasty recipes!


📚 Word Reference

WordMeaning
COOKPrepare food with heat
COOLMake cold / Slang for great
WOOLFiber from sheep
WOODMaterial from trees
HOODCovering for head/neck
HOOKCurved catching tool
BOOKCollection of written pages

❓ FAQ

Q1: What is the answer to Crossclimb 741? COOKBOOK - a compound word for a book full of recipes.

Q2: How many steps in the ladder? 7 steps: COOK → COOL → WOOL → WOOD → HOOD → HOOK → BOOK

Q3: What does "cookbook" mean? A cookbook is a book containing recipes and instructions for preparing food. It can also refer to a step-by-step guide for any process.

Q4: Why is BOOK at the bottom? The puzzle clue warns "The first word may be at the bottom." In this case, BOOK is the bottom word, and COOK is at the top.

Q5: What's the trick to solving this puzzle? Start with the middle clues (COOL, WOOL, WOOD, HOOD, HOOK) which form a clear chain, then figure out how to connect COOK to COOL and HOOK to BOOK.


🎯 Strategy Tips

  1. Start from the middle: The middle clues often form a clearer chain
  2. Look for single-letter changes: Each step changes exactly one letter
  3. Check positions carefully: Note which position (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th) changes
  4. Use the top/bottom clue: The combined answer hint helps verify your solution

This puzzle was a nice reminder that sometimes the best strategy is to build from the middle outward—and that everyone loves a good cookbook! 📖

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