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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. Zoology

Strikingly unconventional and far-fetched in style or appearance; odd

The branch of biology that deals with animals and animal life, including the study of the structure, physiology, development, and classification of animals.

A very large and destructive wave, generally caused by a tremendous disturbance in the ocean, such as an undersea earthquake or volcanic eruption.

A schedule of prices or fees.


2. Maneuver

A movement or procedure involving skill and dexterity.

A metric unit of length equal to 1,000 meters (0.62 mile).

The supporting and water-conducting tissue of vascular plants, consisting primarily of tracheids and vessels; woody tissue.

Selecting or employing individual elements from a variety of sources, systems, or styles


3. Laconic

Selecting or employing individual elements from a variety of sources, systems, or styles

Either of two times of the year when the sun is at its greatest distance from the celestial equator.

Using or marked by the use of few words; terse or concise.

The locus of points for which the sum of the distances from each point to two fixed points is equal


4. Mosaic

Grossly offensive to decency or morality.

A picture or decorative design made by setting small colored pieces, as of stone or tile, into a surface.

Of, relating to, or occurring in the night

Incorrectness of reasoning or belief


5. Bandolier

To take in by elaborate methods of deceit

A diffuse mass of interstellar dust or gas or both, visible as luminous patches or areas of darkness

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

A person with masterly skill or technique in the arts.


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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.