FT 12281 (Monday by Dante)

[jenniferd]

8a Academy member holding an exhibition perhaps (7)
?COA? Can only fit acrobat or scholar but can't find the why for either.

4a A break in the depression (6)
???E?S Could it be recess.

5d School-leaver's certificate (5)
??E?T The first letter of this answer is the second of clue above.

Thanks in advance.

[RocW]

School leaver's certificate is "exeat". I agree with recess, but like you, I am stuck with 8a

[kayakamina]

4a Recess......double meaning

5d Exeat

[Quizmonster]

8a Scholar. An exhibition is a student's allowance as well as a show.

[jenniferd]

Many thanks for help. Still find scholar a "little" obscure! Will pass on info to friend who does FT and wins regularly.
Has won 2x in last few weeks!!!

[Quizmonster]

Well, Jennifer, an academy is typically a secondary school - especially in Scotland...I know because I went to one! An exhibition is a grant or bursary awarded to students to help with the expenses of attending universities and certain schools.
The specific meanings of both these words as outlined above are fully covered in Chambers Dictionary. Accordingly, I can see no 'obscurity' whatsoever.

[Quizmonster]

It's just occurred to me, Jennifer, that your confusion is presumably caused by the fact that you provide only a 6-letter pattern for what you say is a 7-letter answer! You've omitted the 'h' or its space.

[Quizmonster]

Oops! The 'L' or its space is also missing!

[jenniferd]

Very silly of me Quizmonster to make an error(s) but then we can't all be as smart as you (or sacastic)!!!

[Quizmonster]

It's a pity, Jennifer, that one cannot see the people who provide replies to one's queries. Were it possible, you would have been aware that there was not a trace of sarcasm in my words. My intention was simply to explain to you why the answer was what it was.
Oddly enough, I imagined that was what you wanted, despite providing a 5-letter pattern for a 7-letter word!
Still...if you're intent on taking needless offence, so be it. End of story.