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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. Lichen

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

Having a buoyant or self-confident air; brisk.

The quality or state of being tranquil; serenity.

A fungus, usually of the class Ascomycetes, that grows symbiotically with algae,


2. Rainforest

A form of a verb that in some languages, such as English, can function independently as an adjective.

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.

One that takes in everything available, as with the mind.

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


3. Divulge

To proclaim publicly

Incorrectness of reasoning or belief

A state of uncertainty or perplexity.

Marked by hearty conviviality and good cheer.


4. Undulate

An intricate structure of interconnecting passages through which it is difficult to find one’s way; a maze.

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

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

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


5. Immune

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

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

Grossly offensive to decency or morality.

Not subject to an obligation imposed on others; exempt.


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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.