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Words in the News

This Week's Word In The News 

OLIGARCHY

DEFINITION:
Government by the few, especially despotic power exercised by a small and privileged group for corrupt or selfish purposes.

FOUND IN THE NEWS:
President Joe Biden used his farewell address to the nation Wednesday to deliver stark warnings of an “oligarchy” of the ultra-wealthy taking root in the country and of a “tech-industrial complex” that is infringing on Americans’ rights and the future of democracy.
Albuquerque Journal, 01/20/2025

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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. Outrageous

To rejoice greatly; be jubilant or triumphant

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

Grossly offensive to decency or morality.

In a deplorable state of distress or misfortune; miserable.


2. Despondent

Having a buoyant or self-confident air; brisk.

Being without or almost without hope

To grow well or luxuriantly; thrive

Having or demonstrating enthusiasm


3. Bandolier

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

A proportional part or share.

An alteration or change, as in nature, form, or quality.

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


4. Nebula

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.

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

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

A preparation of a weakened or killed pathogen.


5. Undulate

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

Any of various relatively small sailing or motor-driven vessels used for pleasure cruises or racing.

One that speaks for, represents, or advocates

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.