Special occasions that help to make life testing (5)
I believe the answer is:
fetes
'special occasions' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are verbs in their -s form, I cannot see how they can define each other.
'help to make life testing' is the wordplay.
'help to make' indicates the answer is hidden within the clue (I've seen 'helping to make' mean this).
'FETES' is hidden within 'life testing'.
'that' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for fetes that I've seen before include "gala events" , "Festivals" , "honours" .)