Crossword Genius

Clerical history exam (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

pastoral

'clerical' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'history exam' is the wordplay.
'history' becomes 'past' (I've seen this in another clue).
'exam' becomes 'oral' (spoken academic test).
'past'+'oral'='PASTORAL'

(Other definitions for pastoral that I've seen before include "Portraying romanticised country life" , "of minister's duties" , "Relating to personal care - in the countryside, perhaps" , "Well-known symphony" , "Country style" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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