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Words in the News

This Week's Word In The News 

PLOY

DEFINITION:
A cunning plan or action designed to turn a situation to one's own advantage.

FOUND IN THE NEWS:
“First of all, I think it’s important to recognize that the majority of the American people find this behavior deeply troubling,” said the 44th president, conceding that it does serve as an effective distraction and ploy for attention.
The Boston Herald, 02/16/2026

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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. Analogy

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

A person authorized to act as representative for another; a deputy.

To move in waves or with a smooth, wavelike motion.

Similarity in some respects between things that are otherwise dissimilar.


2. Ellipse

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

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

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

The practice of professing beliefs, feelings, or virtues that one does not hold or possess; falseness.


3. Ultraviolet

Of or relating to the range of invisible radiation wavelengths from about 4 nanometers, on the border of the x-ray region, to about 380 nanometers, just beyond the violet in the visible spectrum.

Conversation between characters in a drama or narrative

To stress or emphasize; intensify

A conventional, formulaic, and oversimplified conception, opinion, or image.


4. Immune

A conventional, formulaic, and oversimplified conception, opinion, or image.

The main character in a drama or other literary work.

Not subject to an obligation imposed on others; exempt.

To move back or away from a limit, point, or mark


5. Chronology

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

Having or demonstrating enthusiasm

Incorrectness of reasoning or belief

The arrangement of events in time


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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.