Crossword Genius

Rustic got through said examination (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

pastoral

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'rustic' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'through said examination' is the wordplay.
'through said' becomes 'past' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'examination' becomes 'oral' (oral is a kind of examination).
'past'+'oral'='PASTORAL'

'got' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for pastoral that I've seen before include "Portraying romanticised country life" , "To do with shepherds, or concerned with spiritual guidance" , "Letter to church members" , "Relating to the countryside or shepherds" , "of a priest" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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