Words in the News

This Week's Word In The News 

IMPROBABLE

DEFINITION:
Unlikely to take place under the circumstances or in the usual course of events.

FOUND IN THE NEWS:
That’s where Democratic candidates are trying to accomplish the improbable by flipping a pair of Trump-friendly congressional seats and carving into Republicans’ narrow 218 to 213 majority in the U.S. House of Representatives.
The Key West Citizen-Herald, 03/31/2025

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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. Boycott

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

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

To abstain from or act together in abstaining from using, buying, or dealing with as an expression of protest or disfavor or as a means of coercion

Any of several rod-shaped bacteria, of the genus Salmonella, that cause food poisoning and other diseases.


2. Deduction

A grotesque ornamental figure or projection.

A rebirth or revival.

To cringe in fear

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


3. Vertebrate

To rejoice greatly; be jubilant or triumphant

A poisonous substance, especially a protein, that is produced by living cells or organisms.

Having a backbone or spinal column.

A cult or religious movement, a group sharing particular (often unorthodox) political and/or religious beliefs.


4. Hypocrisy

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

A state of uncertainty or perplexity.

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

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


5. Guerrilla

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

To honor the memory of with a ceremony

A member of an irregular, usually indigenous military or paramilitary unit operating in small bands in occupied territory to harass and undermine the enemy

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


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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.