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. Spectrum

► Having or demonstrating enthusiasm

► Grossly offensive to decency or morality.

► To have a great ambition or ultimate goal

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

2. Strategy

► The science and art of using all the forces of a nation to execute approved plans as effectively as possible during peace or war.

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

► Not subject to an obligation imposed on others; exempt.

► The act of resting or the state of being at rest.

3. Flourish

► Not subject to an obligation imposed on others; exempt.

► The act of resting or the state of being at rest.

► A closed plane figure bounded by three or more line segments.

► To grow well or luxuriantly; thrive

4. Tempo

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

► A characteristic rate or rhythm of activity; a pace

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

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

5. Rainforest

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

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

► A schedule of prices or fees.

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

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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.