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Words in the News

This Week's Word In The News 

OVERZEALOUS

DEFINITION:
Showing too much energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or objective.

FOUND IN THE NEWS:
Patrolmen’s Association, the city’s largest police union, attributed the encounter to an “overzealous poll worker who was complaining to the officer that the councilor shouldn’t have even been inside.”
The Boston Herald, 11/17/2025

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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. Renaissance

Any of various nonplacental mammals, including kangaroos, opossums, bandicoots, and wombats, found principally in Australia and the Americas.

A rebirth or revival.

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

Sharing the same opinions or views; being in complete harmony or accord.


2. Bandolier

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

An unstable, poisonous allotrope of oxygen.

Consuming or eager to consume great amounts of food; ravenous.

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


3. Silhouette

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

Not subject to an obligation imposed on others; exempt.

A drawing consisting of the outline of something, especially a human profile, filled in with a solid color.

A grotesque ornamental figure or projection.


4. Renegade

To cringe in fear

The systematic procedure by which a complex or scientific task is accomplished.

One who rejects a religion, cause, allegiance, or group for another; a deserter.

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


5. Laconic

The quality or state of being tranquil; serenity.

To rejoice greatly; be jubilant or triumphant

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

To take in by elaborate methods of deceit


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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.