Words in the News

This Week's Word In The News 

PETITIONER

DEFINITION:
A person who pleads with a governmental institution for a legal remedy or a redress of grievances, through the use of a petition.

FOUND IN THE NEWS:
While presenting the citizens’ petition for debate at the April 11 Spring Town Meeting, petitioners argued that ICE operations in Plymouth have “created fear” and “disrupted lives” among the immigrant community, leading to what they call a distrust of local police.
The Boston Herald, 04/20/2026

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Words in the News Quiz
5 Middle School Words

Click on the correct answer in the quiz below.
Then see if you can find the word in your newspaper -- the print edition, the website or the digital edition and copy the sentence for context. NOTE: High School words are much harder to find!


1. Lichen

A fungus, usually of the class Ascomycetes, that grows symbiotically with algae,

One that is inconvenient, annoying, or vexatious; a bother.

The distribution of energy emitted by a radiant source, arranged in order of wavelengths.

A Y-shaped protein on the surface of B cells that is secreted into the blood or lymph in response to an antigenic stimulus


2. Virtuoso

The distribution of energy emitted by a radiant source, arranged in order of wavelengths.

A Y-shaped protein on the surface of B cells that is secreted into the blood or lymph in response to an antigenic stimulus

One who habitually takes advantage of the generosity of others without making any useful return.

A person with masterly skill or technique in the arts.


3. Bandolier

An ammunition belt, worn over the shoulder, having loops or pockets for cartridges.

Something that is passed down from preceding generations; a tradition.

A schedule of prices or fees.

Exceeding the limits of propriety or good manners; improperly forward or bold


4. Levee

Exceeding the limits of propriety or good manners; improperly forward or bold

The method or result of concealing personnel or equipment from an enemy by making them appear to be part of the natural surroundings

An embankment built to prevent flooding

Forfeiture of something highly valued for the sake of one considered to have a greater value or claim.


5. Analogy

Being without or almost without hope

Having no specific pattern, purpose, or objective.

The distance that light travels in a vacuum in one year.

Similarity in some respects between things that are otherwise dissimilar.


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Common Core State Standard
LS.CCS.4/5/6 Grades 3-12: Students are asked to determine the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words through multiple choice vocabulary quizzes. Quizzes are designed to help students demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships and nuances in words, acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words, and gather vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression. Students are then asked to find the words within the newspaper and copy the sentence for context to its overall meaning or function in a sentence.