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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.
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

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. Accentuate

To stress or emphasize; intensify

A dense evergreen forest occupying a tropical region with an annual rainfall of at least 100 inches.

Having a backbone or spinal column.

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


2. Hieroglyphic

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

The drawing of a conclusion by reasoning; the act of deducing.

Relating to a system of writing, such as that of ancient Egypt, in which pictorial symbols are used to represent meaning or sounds or a combination of meaning and sound.

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


3. Aspire

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

To have a great ambition or ultimate goal

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

To swing indecisively from one course of action or opinion to another.


4. Introspection

Self-examination.

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

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.

To pound, crush, or grind to a powder or dust.


5. Symbiosis

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.

To pound, crush, or grind to a powder or dust.

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

A relationship of mutual benefit or dependence.


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