Times2 Jumbo 670

[Winslow_Boy]

Last one as ever: 35a Something easy to hit (4,4): I have E?S? M?R? Looks like 'easy mark' but answers almost never contain same words as clue!

[dr john]

Unless the setter was in a hurry, or drunk, or not very good. Even The Times sometimes has lousy clues. I'd say easy mark is probably it.

[ulysses100]

This has come up before, and I suggested easy mark, but, like you I wasn't happy -- especially in a Times crossword. Then it came up again, and soft mark was suggested, but it all depends upon whether your "e" and "s" are correct in the first word.

[Winslow_Boy]

Thanks dr john & ulysses; I went with easy mark, somewhat unhappily. Been doing this xword for 4+ yrs, never seen same word in answer and clue before. Standards are slipping at Murdoch Towers.