the meaning of special assignment

Understanding Assignments

What this handout is about.

The first step in any successful college writing venture is reading the assignment. While this sounds like a simple task, it can be a tough one. This handout will help you unravel your assignment and begin to craft an effective response. Much of the following advice will involve translating typical assignment terms and practices into meaningful clues to the type of writing your instructor expects. See our short video for more tips.

Basic beginnings

Regardless of the assignment, department, or instructor, adopting these two habits will serve you well :

• Read the assignment carefully as soon as you receive it. Do not put this task off—reading the assignment at the beginning will save you time, stress, and problems later. An assignment can look pretty straightforward at first, particularly if the instructor has provided lots of information. That does not mean it will not take time and effort to complete; you may even have to learn a new skill to complete the assignment.
• Ask the instructor about anything you do not understand. Do not hesitate to approach your instructor. Instructors would prefer to set you straight before you hand the paper in. That’s also when you will find their feedback most useful.

Assignment formats

Many assignments follow a basic format. Assignments often begin with an overview of the topic, include a central verb or verbs that describe the task, and offer some additional suggestions, questions, or prompts to get you started.

An Overview of Some Kind

The instructor might set the stage with some general discussion of the subject of the assignment, introduce the topic, or remind you of something pertinent that you have discussed in class. For example:

“Throughout history, gerbils have played a key role in politics,” or “In the last few weeks of class, we have focused on the evening wear of the housefly …”

The Task of the Assignment

Pay attention; this part tells you what to do when you write the paper. Look for the key verb or verbs in the sentence. Words like analyze, summarize, or compare direct you to think about your topic in a certain way. Also pay attention to words such as how, what, when, where, and why; these words guide your attention toward specific information. (See the section in this handout titled “Key Terms” for more information.)

“Analyze the effect that gerbils had on the Russian Revolution”, or “Suggest an interpretation of housefly undergarments that differs from Darwin’s.”

Additional Material to Think about

Here you will find some questions to use as springboards as you begin to think about the topic. Instructors usually include these questions as suggestions rather than requirements. Do not feel compelled to answer every question unless the instructor asks you to do so. Pay attention to the order of the questions. Sometimes they suggest the thinking process your instructor imagines you will need to follow to begin thinking about the topic.

“You may wish to consider the differing views held by Communist gerbils vs. Monarchist gerbils, or Can there be such a thing as ‘the housefly garment industry’ or is it just a home-based craft?”

These are the instructor’s comments about writing expectations:

“Be concise”, “Write effectively”, or “Argue furiously.”

Technical Details

These instructions usually indicate format rules or guidelines.

“Your paper must be typed in Palatino font on gray paper and must not exceed 600 pages. It is due on the anniversary of Mao Tse-tung’s death.”

The assignment’s parts may not appear in exactly this order, and each part may be very long or really short. Nonetheless, being aware of this standard pattern can help you understand what your instructor wants you to do.

Interpreting the assignment

Ask yourself a few basic questions as you read and jot down the answers on the assignment sheet:

Why did your instructor ask you to do this particular task?

Who is your audience.

• What kind of evidence do you need to support your ideas?

What kind of writing style is acceptable?

• What are the absolute rules of the paper?

Try to look at the question from the point of view of the instructor. Recognize that your instructor has a reason for giving you this assignment and for giving it to you at a particular point in the semester. In every assignment, the instructor has a challenge for you. This challenge could be anything from demonstrating an ability to think clearly to demonstrating an ability to use the library. See the assignment not as a vague suggestion of what to do but as an opportunity to show that you can handle the course material as directed. Paper assignments give you more than a topic to discuss—they ask you to do something with the topic. Keep reminding yourself of that. Be careful to avoid the other extreme as well: do not read more into the assignment than what is there.

Of course, your instructor has given you an assignment so that he or she will be able to assess your understanding of the course material and give you an appropriate grade. But there is more to it than that. Your instructor has tried to design a learning experience of some kind. Your instructor wants you to think about something in a particular way for a particular reason. If you read the course description at the beginning of your syllabus, review the assigned readings, and consider the assignment itself, you may begin to see the plan, purpose, or approach to the subject matter that your instructor has created for you. If you still aren’t sure of the assignment’s goals, try asking the instructor. For help with this, see our handout on getting feedback .

Given your instructor’s efforts, it helps to answer the question: What is my purpose in completing this assignment? Is it to gather research from a variety of outside sources and present a coherent picture? Is it to take material I have been learning in class and apply it to a new situation? Is it to prove a point one way or another? Key words from the assignment can help you figure this out. Look for key terms in the form of active verbs that tell you what to do.

Key Terms: Finding Those Active Verbs

Here are some common key words and definitions to help you think about assignment terms:

Information words Ask you to demonstrate what you know about the subject, such as who, what, when, where, how, and why.

• define —give the subject’s meaning (according to someone or something). Sometimes you have to give more than one view on the subject’s meaning
• describe —provide details about the subject by answering question words (such as who, what, when, where, how, and why); you might also give details related to the five senses (what you see, hear, feel, taste, and smell)
• explain —give reasons why or examples of how something happened
• illustrate —give descriptive examples of the subject and show how each is connected with the subject
• summarize —briefly list the important ideas you learned about the subject
• trace —outline how something has changed or developed from an earlier time to its current form
• research —gather material from outside sources about the subject, often with the implication or requirement that you will analyze what you have found

Relation words Ask you to demonstrate how things are connected.

• compare —show how two or more things are similar (and, sometimes, different)
• contrast —show how two or more things are dissimilar
• apply—use details that you’ve been given to demonstrate how an idea, theory, or concept works in a particular situation
• cause —show how one event or series of events made something else happen
• relate —show or describe the connections between things

Interpretation words Ask you to defend ideas of your own about the subject. Do not see these words as requesting opinion alone (unless the assignment specifically says so), but as requiring opinion that is supported by concrete evidence. Remember examples, principles, definitions, or concepts from class or research and use them in your interpretation.

• assess —summarize your opinion of the subject and measure it against something
• prove, justify —give reasons or examples to demonstrate how or why something is the truth
• evaluate, respond —state your opinion of the subject as good, bad, or some combination of the two, with examples and reasons
• support —give reasons or evidence for something you believe (be sure to state clearly what it is that you believe)
• synthesize —put two or more things together that have not been put together in class or in your readings before; do not just summarize one and then the other and say that they are similar or different—you must provide a reason for putting them together that runs all the way through the paper
• analyze —determine how individual parts create or relate to the whole, figure out how something works, what it might mean, or why it is important
• argue —take a side and defend it with evidence against the other side

More Clues to Your Purpose As you read the assignment, think about what the teacher does in class:

• What kinds of textbooks or coursepack did your instructor choose for the course—ones that provide background information, explain theories or perspectives, or argue a point of view?
• In lecture, does your instructor ask your opinion, try to prove her point of view, or use keywords that show up again in the assignment?
• What kinds of assignments are typical in this discipline? Social science classes often expect more research. Humanities classes thrive on interpretation and analysis.
• How do the assignments, readings, and lectures work together in the course? Instructors spend time designing courses, sometimes even arguing with their peers about the most effective course materials. Figuring out the overall design to the course will help you understand what each assignment is meant to achieve.

Now, what about your reader? Most undergraduates think of their audience as the instructor. True, your instructor is a good person to keep in mind as you write. But for the purposes of a good paper, think of your audience as someone like your roommate: smart enough to understand a clear, logical argument, but not someone who already knows exactly what is going on in your particular paper. Remember, even if the instructor knows everything there is to know about your paper topic, he or she still has to read your paper and assess your understanding. In other words, teach the material to your reader.

Aiming a paper at your audience happens in two ways: you make decisions about the tone and the level of information you want to convey.

• Tone means the “voice” of your paper. Should you be chatty, formal, or objective? Usually you will find some happy medium—you do not want to alienate your reader by sounding condescending or superior, but you do not want to, um, like, totally wig on the man, you know? Eschew ostentatious erudition: some students think the way to sound academic is to use big words. Be careful—you can sound ridiculous, especially if you use the wrong big words.
• The level of information you use depends on who you think your audience is. If you imagine your audience as your instructor and she already knows everything you have to say, you may find yourself leaving out key information that can cause your argument to be unconvincing and illogical. But you do not have to explain every single word or issue. If you are telling your roommate what happened on your favorite science fiction TV show last night, you do not say, “First a dark-haired white man of average height, wearing a suit and carrying a flashlight, walked into the room. Then a purple alien with fifteen arms and at least three eyes turned around. Then the man smiled slightly. In the background, you could hear a clock ticking. The room was fairly dark and had at least two windows that I saw.” You also do not say, “This guy found some aliens. The end.” Find some balance of useful details that support your main point.

You’ll find a much more detailed discussion of these concepts in our handout on audience .

The Grim Truth

With a few exceptions (including some lab and ethnography reports), you are probably being asked to make an argument. You must convince your audience. It is easy to forget this aim when you are researching and writing; as you become involved in your subject matter, you may become enmeshed in the details and focus on learning or simply telling the information you have found. You need to do more than just repeat what you have read. Your writing should have a point, and you should be able to say it in a sentence. Sometimes instructors call this sentence a “thesis” or a “claim.”

So, if your instructor tells you to write about some aspect of oral hygiene, you do not want to just list: “First, you brush your teeth with a soft brush and some peanut butter. Then, you floss with unwaxed, bologna-flavored string. Finally, gargle with bourbon.” Instead, you could say, “Of all the oral cleaning methods, sandblasting removes the most plaque. Therefore it should be recommended by the American Dental Association.” Or, “From an aesthetic perspective, moldy teeth can be quite charming. However, their joys are short-lived.”

Convincing the reader of your argument is the goal of academic writing. It doesn’t have to say “argument” anywhere in the assignment for you to need one. Look at the assignment and think about what kind of argument you could make about it instead of just seeing it as a checklist of information you have to present. For help with understanding the role of argument in academic writing, see our handout on argument .

What kind of evidence do you need?

There are many kinds of evidence, and what type of evidence will work for your assignment can depend on several factors–the discipline, the parameters of the assignment, and your instructor’s preference. Should you use statistics? Historical examples? Do you need to conduct your own experiment? Can you rely on personal experience? See our handout on evidence for suggestions on how to use evidence appropriately.

Make sure you are clear about this part of the assignment, because your use of evidence will be crucial in writing a successful paper. You are not just learning how to argue; you are learning how to argue with specific types of materials and ideas. Ask your instructor what counts as acceptable evidence. You can also ask a librarian for help. No matter what kind of evidence you use, be sure to cite it correctly—see the UNC Libraries citation tutorial .

You cannot always tell from the assignment just what sort of writing style your instructor expects. The instructor may be really laid back in class but still expect you to sound formal in writing. Or the instructor may be fairly formal in class and ask you to write a reflection paper where you need to use “I” and speak from your own experience.

Try to avoid false associations of a particular field with a style (“art historians like wacky creativity,” or “political scientists are boring and just give facts”) and look instead to the types of readings you have been given in class. No one expects you to write like Plato—just use the readings as a guide for what is standard or preferable to your instructor. When in doubt, ask your instructor about the level of formality she or he expects.

No matter what field you are writing for or what facts you are including, if you do not write so that your reader can understand your main idea, you have wasted your time. So make clarity your main goal. For specific help with style, see our handout on style .

Technical details about the assignment

The technical information you are given in an assignment always seems like the easy part. This section can actually give you lots of little hints about approaching the task. Find out if elements such as page length and citation format (see the UNC Libraries citation tutorial ) are negotiable. Some professors do not have strong preferences as long as you are consistent and fully answer the assignment. Some professors are very specific and will deduct big points for deviations.

Usually, the page length tells you something important: The instructor thinks the size of the paper is appropriate to the assignment’s parameters. In plain English, your instructor is telling you how many pages it should take for you to answer the question as fully as you are expected to. So if an assignment is two pages long, you cannot pad your paper with examples or reword your main idea several times. Hit your one point early, defend it with the clearest example, and finish quickly. If an assignment is ten pages long, you can be more complex in your main points and examples—and if you can only produce five pages for that assignment, you need to see someone for help—as soon as possible.

Tricks that don’t work

Your instructors are not fooled when you:

• spend more time on the cover page than the essay —graphics, cool binders, and cute titles are no replacement for a well-written paper.
• use huge fonts, wide margins, or extra spacing to pad the page length —these tricks are immediately obvious to the eye. Most instructors use the same word processor you do. They know what’s possible. Such tactics are especially damning when the instructor has a stack of 60 papers to grade and yours is the only one that low-flying airplane pilots could read.
• use a paper from another class that covered “sort of similar” material . Again, the instructor has a particular task for you to fulfill in the assignment that usually relates to course material and lectures. Your other paper may not cover this material, and turning in the same paper for more than one course may constitute an Honor Code violation . Ask the instructor—it can’t hurt.
• get all wacky and “creative” before you answer the question . Showing that you are able to think beyond the boundaries of a simple assignment can be good, but you must do what the assignment calls for first. Again, check with your instructor. A humorous tone can be refreshing for someone grading a stack of papers, but it will not get you a good grade if you have not fulfilled the task.

Critical reading of assignments leads to skills in other types of reading and writing. If you get good at figuring out what the real goals of assignments are, you are going to be better at understanding the goals of all of your classes and fields of study.

You may reproduce it for non-commercial use if you use the entire handout and attribute the source: The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

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Unveiling the Unseen

Explainer: When Principals Go on ‘Special Assignment’

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You won’t see a job description for “principal on special assignment” on the San Diego Unified School District website.

But that’s not to say the job doesn’t exist.

The special assignment position became public knowledge after La Jolla High School principal Dana Shelburne was given the title late last month.

Shelburne’s reassignment comes in the wake of a damning audit that found , among other things, that more than $200,000 in donations wasn’t backed up by any receipts.

Shelburne told U-T San Diego “the audit has nothing to do with this,” and school board trustee Scott Barnett also denied that Shelburne’s reassignment was related to the audit .

Now that this high-profile principal has been reassigned, let’s take a look at what, exactly he’ll be doing.

What does the title mean?

Principals at the district are placed on special assignment by the superintendent, without approval from the school board.

They remain employees of the district. Shelburne will report to a yet-to-be-named director of special projects in the central office. He’s currently the lone principal on special assignment in San Diego, but there have been others in the past.

Ruth Peshkoff, a former chief human resources officer for San Diego Unified, said other potential special assignments could include:

– Overseeing a new student information system for tracking students as technology gets old

– Managing a grant that the school received in order to make sure the money is spent properly

– Substituting at other schools

Has this ‘special assignment’ been taken before?

Shelburne will officially be working as the district’s “school construction liaison.”

He’s not the first principal to hold that position.

Former Lincoln High principal Wendell Bass had the same assignment during the roll-out of Proposition MM, a bond passed in 1998 to renovate existing schools and construct new ones.

Bass, who has since retired, was given the job while Lincoln was being rebuilt in 2004. He said Wednesday that the position was created the year before he took it.

Cheryl James-Ward, an assistant professor of educational leadership at San Diego State University, said that these special assignments can last from six months to several years. Bass held the job for four years until Prop. MM work ended in 2008.

Cynthia Reed-Porter, a spokeswoman for San Diego Unified, said there hasn’t been a need for a school construction liaison since 2008, because so far, Proposition S — a bond passed in 2008 to finish off school repairs and renovations begun under Proposition MM and to upgrade technology in classrooms — has dealt with mostly technology and isolated construction. By contrast, Proposition Z will focus on campus-wide construction, she said.

What will Shelburne be doing, exactly?

Reed-Porter said that in the coming school year, 40 new principals will be starting at campuses and that some of those principals may have never dealt with construction at their schools.

New bond projects could benefit, then, from a principal who is familiar with construction occurring on campuses, said Reed-Porter. That’s where Shelburne will come in.

Lee Dulgeroff, who oversees the district’s bond programs, said Shelburne’s new duties will include coordinating construction and renovation projects, providing design input, coordinating meetings, developing classroom specifications and coordinating construction activities to minimize classroom disruption.

Why was Shelburne given this assignment?

James-Ward said that, in general, principals on special assignment usually have some expertise in the position they are assigned to.

In a newsletter to parents the day after the appointment, Shelburne said his background of involvement with construction projects at “La Jolla High School, Muirlands and elsewhere” made him a good fit for the role.

District officials  said that Shelburne’s past experiences overseeing the construction of a pool, athletic field and science building among other projects at La Jolla high and elsewhere made him an ideal candidate for the job.

Where is Shelburne’s salary coming from?

When Bass held the position that Shelburne will be taking, he was paid using Prop. MM funds.

Shelburne will also be paid out of bond money.

Normally, district employees can’t be paid with bond money, unless they’re working directly on bond-related projects, as Shelburne will be.

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Alex Corey is a reporting intern at Voice of San Diego. You can contact him directly at [email protected]. More by Alex Corey

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4 minute read

Can Your Scheduling Handle the Universe of Special Assignments? It’s More Important Than Ever

March 3, 2021 March 3, 2021 • Articles

J eff Duce, Senior Manager of Product Management

From pencil, paper and the expertise of the person writing the schedule to sophisticated scheduling technology, scheduling systems have come a long way. But the purpose has always been the same—to put the right people in the right place at the right time. Advanced scheduling systems allow the consideration of many factors, and the best of them can schedule “Special Assignments.” In this post, I will explain what “Special Assignments” are, why the ability to schedule special assignments is important, provide some common examples and discuss why special assignment compliance reporting is crucial.

What are special assignments?

“Special assignments” as I am using the term means scheduling a person because they have unique skills or certifications that fulfill requirements that are in addition to performing usual job or task duties. Historically, scheduled jobs or tasks are things like stocking in grocery, wrapping in the meat department, or clerking in the deli. Special assignment skills are different. Stores almost always have other considerations that need to be incorporated into the schedule. These considerations create no dedicated or scheduled hours but must be taken into account to assure that properly qualified associates are available to provide double duty—that is for both their task work and the special skills, qualifications or certifications.

Let me give a real-life example to help you better understand the idea behind special assignments. It is very common for retailers to have a policy where at least one person that is CPR certified be available on-premises during store open hours. This may be increased to two CPR certified associates during peak times. It makes more sense to have a smart scheduling system automatically schedule trained associates to the specific requirement at the same time task work is assigned versus having to edit a schedule and manually add associates with this qualification or skill at the times needed.

How to schedule special assignments

What is required in a scheduling system to accommodate special assignments? Each special assignment—the specific skill, qualification or certification—must be identified. Those attributes also must be present on the profile of qualified employees so the system can identify the proper candidates. Additional functionality may be useful to ensure the special assignment rotates among qualified associates rather than selecting the same person each time or to select the most qualified associate using skill ratings.

Initially an administrator would need to specify the associates meeting the requirement. Next the store or departments that have such a special assignment would be configured. Additional configuration would include timing—what days of the week, what times of the day—the number of associates required at the identified times, whether the assignment is to be rotated among associates and, finally, if necessary, an effective date.

Reporting on special assignments

Simply scheduling someone to perform a special assignment does not mean someone was actually on the clock for the scheduled times. It is critical that leaders monitor whether special assignments are actually carried out, particularly as many special assignments fulfill regulatory or policy requirements. Exception reporting is required so leadership can view whether stores are fully complying with special assignment scheduling. For example, where only one of a required two associates are scheduled or on the clock during the required time segment, there is a failure to comply and either situation should be reported as such.

The universe of special assignments

The need for special skills, qualifications and certifications arises in all forms of retail, from grocery to specialty to big box operators. I am sure you have a few ideas that come to mind that cannot be scheduled independently as a traditional job or task. The list of special assignments is almost infinite, but here are some examples for your consideration and to spark your imagination.

Manager on duty (MOD) is a very common need in retail stores. In larger stores this may be scheduled as a labor task, but in small stores this is usually an add-on responsibility. In those situations, select associates may be trained for MOD responsibilities. MODs are likely to be required to be working whenever the store is open to the public. Their MOD duties may be to carry the keys, access change, deal with customers, execute emergency procedures, and so on. The schedule must be built with MOD coverage in mind.

Another example may be a liquor license holder. Local ordinances usually require someone with a liquor license to be working on-premises while the liquor store or liquor department is open to the public. Failing to schedule such a person could result in a fine or even loss of the liquor license. In this circumstance it is certainly ideal to have a scheduling system ensure that this scheduling criteria is met.

Other candidates for special assignment scheduling might be backup customer service manager, someone who can run the front end in case the scheduled service manager is out or must be relieved during breaks and/or lunches. In a department like Deli or Service Meat, consider a lead counter clerk to ensure that among those who are scheduled is a person with leadership training capable of providing direction to other team members. Perhaps some stores have a need for a cash office key holder during the evening to access the change bank. Or there may be a need for a forklift operator at certain times.

Warning Will Robinson, warning!

Excessive use of special assignments will constrain the scheduling system’s ability to optimize the scheduling of task requirements and may drive more overs and shorts. This is a legitimate concern so be warned. Systems must have qualified employees configured and available to perform the work to fulfill your assignments. It cannot schedule when no one has the availability or skill.

Having the ability to schedule special assignments really is an important new tool within scheduling, and I am sure you can see the practical need for it. Because there is an underlying complication to trying to manually schedule special assignments yourself, you can see why it is so important to have this functionality built within the scheduling system. If your current scheduling system has it, that is great for you and your company. If your current scheduling system does not provide this feature, well then, I guess you are simply “Lost in Space.”

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What Does Understood The Assignment Mean? – Meaning, Uses and More

What Does Understood The Assignment Mean?

The slang phrase understood the assignment is used to praise someone who goes above and beyond or consistently performs well. It can be applied in various situations, such as complimenting someone’s work, outfit, or performance. The phrase gained popularity in 2021, particularly on social media platforms like TikTok and Twitter. The origins of “understood the assignment” are unclear, but it became more widely known after American rapper Tay Money released a song titled “The Assignment” in October 2021. The phrase went viral on Twitter, with users using it to pay tribute to their favorite actors and actresses who excel in their roles. Here are some examples of how to use the phrase “understood the assignment”:

• “Your presentation was amazing! You really understood the assignment.”
• “That outfit is fire! You totally understood the assignment.”
• “I told my son to clean his room, and he really understood the assignment. It’s spotless!”
• “That new employee really understood the assignment. She’s already making a big impact on the team.”
• “I’m not sure if I understood the assignment for this project. Can you give me some more guidance?”

The phrase “understood the assignment” is a fun and playful way to praise someone for their exceptional work or effort. It can be used sincerely or sarcastically, depending on the context.

What Does Understood The Assignment Mean From a Girl?

When a girl uses the phrase “understood the assignment,” she typically means the same thing as everyone else. It is a way to praise someone for going above and beyond or consistently performing well. Girls use it in various situations, such as complimenting someone’s work, outfit, or performance.

Here are some key points to consider:

• Specific meaning from a girl : Girls use the phrase “understood the assignment” to acknowledge and praise someone’s exceptional work or effort.
• How girls use it : Girls may use the phrase in conversations with their friends, colleagues, or online communities to show appreciation for someone’s achievements.
• How to reply : If someone says “understood the assignment” to you, you can reply with a simple “thank you” or express your gratitude for their recognition.

Girls use the phrase similarly to everyone else. It is a lighthearted and positive way to acknowledge someone’s accomplishments. So, if a girl says “understood the assignment” to you, take it as a compliment and feel proud of your achievements!

• Girl A: I just finished my final project for school!
• Girl B: Nice job! You totally understood the assignment !
• Girl: I saw your artwork on Instagram. It’s amazing!
• Artist: Thank you so much! I’m glad you think I understood the assignment .
• Girl A: Check out this outfit I put together for the party tonight.
• Girl B: Wow, you look stunning! You definitely understood the assignment .
• Girl: I just aced my math test!
• Friend: That’s awesome! You really understood the assignment .
• Girl A: I finally finished writing my novel.
• Girl B: That’s incredible! You truly understood the assignment and brought your story to life.

What Does Understood The Assignment Mean From a Guy?

When a guy uses the phrase “understood the assignment,” it can have similar meanings as when a girl uses it. However, there may be some slight differences in how guys use and interpret the slang. Here’s what you need to know:

Complimenting appearance or performance : Like girls, guys may use “understood the assignment” to compliment someone’s appearance or performance. They might use it to acknowledge someone’s stylish outfit, impressive skills, or exceptional work.

Acknowledging achievements : Guys may also use “understood the assignment” to recognize someone’s achievements or efforts. Whether it’s in sports, academics, or any other area, they use it to show appreciation for someone who has gone above and beyond.

Flirting or expressing interest : In some cases, guys may use “understood the assignment” as a flirty hint or a way to express their interest in someone. It can be a playful way of showing admiration and attraction.

Different tone or delivery : While the overall meaning is similar, guys may have a different tone or delivery when using “understood the assignment.” They might use it in a more casual or laid-back manner compared to girls.

If a guy says “understood the assignment” to you, here are a few things to consider:

Context of the conversation : Pay attention to the context in which he used the phrase. Was it in response to something specific you did or said? Understanding the context can give you clues about his intentions.

Your relationship with him : Consider your relationship with this guy. Are you friends, dating, or just acquaintances? The meaning behind his use of “understood the assignment” can vary depending on your relationship dynamics.

Body language and tone : Take note of his body language and tone of voice when he says it. Does he seem serious, playful, or flirtatious? These non-verbal cues can provide additional context to help you understand his intentions.

Of course, it’s important to remember that not every guy will use “understood the assignment” in the same way. Some may use it casually without any specific meaning, while others may use it as a genuine compliment or flirtation. If you’re unsure about his intentions, don’t hesitate to ask for clarification or simply take it as a positive acknowledgment of your achievements.

• Guy 1: Dude, did you see that new video game trailer? It looks insane!
• Guy 2: Yeah, the graphics are next level. The developers really understood the assignment .
• Guy 1: Check out this painting I just finished. What do you think?
• Guy 2: Wow, man! You really understood the assignment . It’s so detailed and vibrant.
• Guy 1: I aced my math test today!
• Guy 2: Nice job, dude! You definitely understood the assignment . Math can be tough, but you nailed it.
• Guy 1: I just finished renovating my apartment. Take a look!
• Guy 2: Whoa, it looks amazing! You totally understood the assignment . The design is on point.
• Guy: I saw your dance performance last night. You killed it!
• Girl: Thanks! I practiced so hard. I’m glad it paid off.
• Guy: It definitely did. You absolutely understood the assignment on that stage!

What Does Understood The Assignment Mean Sexually?

No, “understood the assignment” does not have a sexual or NSFW meaning. It is a slang phrase used to praise someone who goes above and beyond or consistently performs well in various situations.

Origin of Understood The Assignment

The origins of the phrase “understood the assignment” are unclear. It gained popularity in 2021, particularly on social media platforms like TikTok and Twitter. It is possible that the phrase originated from the common understanding of assignments in school or the workplace, where individuals who excel or consistently perform well are said to have understood the assignment. However, it is also possible that the phrase emerged organically as a catchy and expressive way to praise someone’s exceptional work or effort. Without further information, it is difficult to determine if it is a derived word or a popular typo.

Frequently Asked Questions

Slangs similar to understood the assignment.

The slang phrase “understood the assignment” is similar to the words “outdated,” “trying too hard,” “conformist,” “on trend,” “generic,” and “out of touch” because they all describe someone or something that is not keeping up with trends, not standing out, or lacking originality or uniqueness. These terms are used to criticize or describe someone or something that is not meeting expectations or societal norms.

Is Understood The Assignment A Bad Word?

No, “understood the assignment” is not a bad word or vulgar word. It is a phrase used to praise someone who goes above and beyond to do a good job or who is always on point. It gained popularity in 2021 and is often used on social media platforms like TikTok and Twitter to remark about fantastic and on point things.

Is Understood The Assignment a Typo or Misspelling?

The term “dyat” could be a misspelling or typo, as it is not a recognized word and may have been mistyped due to its similarity to the word “dat” or “diet.”

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Definition of assignment noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

• Students are required to complete all homework assignments.
• You will need to complete three written assignments per semester.
• a business/special assignment
• I had set myself a tough assignment.
• on an assignment She is in Greece on an assignment for one of the Sunday newspapers.
• on assignment one of our reporters on assignment in China
• The students handed in their assignments.
• The teacher gave us an assignment on pollution.
• Why did you take on this assignment if you're so busy?
• He refused to accept the assignment.
• assignment on

Questions about grammar and vocabulary?

Find the answers with Practical English Usage online, your indispensable guide to problems in English.

• his assignment to other duties in the same company
• on assignment

Nearby words

Synonyms of assignment

• as in lesson
• as in appointment
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Thesaurus Definition of assignment

Synonyms & Similar Words

• responsibility
• undertaking
• requirement
• designation
• appointment
• authorization
• installment
• installation
• destination
• emplacement
• investiture
• singling (out)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• dethronement

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun assignment contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of assignment are chore , duty , job , stint , and task . While all these words mean "a piece of work to be done," assignment implies a definite limited task assigned by one in authority.

When is it sensible to use chore instead of assignment ?

While the synonyms chore and assignment are close in meaning, chore implies a minor routine activity necessary for maintaining a household or farm.

When is duty a more appropriate choice than assignment ?

Although the words duty and assignment have much in common, duty implies an obligation to perform or responsibility for performance.

When might job be a better fit than assignment ?

The synonyms job and assignment are sometimes interchangeable, but job applies to a piece of work voluntarily performed; it may sometimes suggest difficulty or importance.

When could stint be used to replace assignment ?

In some situations, the words stint and assignment are roughly equivalent. However, stint implies a carefully allotted or measured quantity of assigned work or service.

When can task be used instead of assignment ?

The meanings of task and assignment largely overlap; however, task implies work imposed by a person in authority or an employer or by circumstance.

Thesaurus Entries Near assignment

assignments

Cite this Entry

“Assignment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/assignment. Accessed 26 Mar. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on assignment

Nglish: Translation of assignment for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of assignment for Arabic Speakers

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• International

Trump can pay smaller bond in civil fraud case as judge sets April date for hush money trial

By Lauren del Valle , Jeremy Herb , Kara Scannell , Maureen Chowdhury , Dan Berman and Elise Hammond , CNN

Key takeaways from Trump’s wild day of legal developments

From CNN's Jeremy Herb, Lauren del Valle and Kara Scannell

Donald Trump received both a lifeline from the courts Monday and a trial date for the first criminal trial of a former president in US history, a  pair of rulings  that hit home the legal whiplash constantly surrounding him.

The twin rulings Monday, which came roughly within an hour of each other, hit the intersection of challenges to Trump’s image and his famed business empire as he seeks a second term in the White House.

Here are key takeaways from another historic day for Trump:

• Hush money trial date set: Trump’s historic criminal trial in the New York hush money case against him will begin with jury selection on April 15, Judge Juan Merchan said Monday, after a dispute over the late production of documents caused the judge initially to  push back the start date . Barring another unforeseen hiccup, the former president will face a jury on criminal charges for at least one of his trials before the November election. The date is three weeks later than originally scheduled, but the delay won’t make much of a dent on Trump’s 2024 calendar – and it’s still murky whether any of his other three trials will happen before the election.
• Appeals court lowers Trump’s bond: The more significant ruling Monday may have been a New York appeals court allowing him to post a  reduced $175 million bond  to appeal the $464 million civil fraud judgment against him, his adult sons and his company. Trump told reporters he will cover the bond using cash as a collateral. Trump’s lawyers said last week that he was  unable to post  a $464 million bond to appeal the civil fraud judgement against him. Trump faced a Monday deadline to post bond or else New York Attorney General Letitia James could have begun the process of seizing his property. But the appeals court ruling gave Trump an additional 10 days to post a bond of $175 million.
• Judge dismisses allegations made against district attorney: During Monday’s hearing, Merchan also discredited Trump’s allegations of misconduct against the district attorney’s office, finding that prosecutors cooperated in the effort to secure documents from the US Attorney’s Office of the Southern District of New York. "It’s odd that we’re even here," the judge said at one point. The judge repeatedly also said how serious and concerning Trump’s allegations were against Manhattan prosecutors, at one point raising his voice on the bench.

Read more about today's legal developments in the two cases.

Fact Check: Trump repeats baseless claims about Biden orchestrating his trials

From CNN’s Daniel Dale

Former President Donald Trump repeated some familiar baseless claims in remarks on Monday after major developments in two of his New York legal cases. He spoke after a judge  set an April 15 date  for the beginning of his Manhattan, New York, criminal trial on charges of falsifying business records related to a hush money scheme, and, separately, an appeals court  reduced the bond he must put up  after being found liable for civil fraud.

Trump claimed that “this is all Biden-run things” and that “these are all Biden trials.” He also claimed that Matthew Colangelo, a former senior Justice Department official who now works for Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, had been “put into” the district attorney’s office by Biden. 

Facts First:   There is no basis for Trump’s claims. First, there is no evidence that Biden has been involved in bringing or running any of the criminal or civil cases against Trump. The Manhattan prosecution is being led by Bragg and the civil fraud case by New York state Attorney General Letitia James. Both Bragg and James are elected officials who do not report to the president or the federal Justice Department. Second, there is no evidence that Biden had anything to do with Colangelo’s  decision to leave the federal Justice Department and join the district attorney’s office in 2022  as  senior counsel to Bragg . Colangelo and Bragg knew each other before Bragg was elected Manhattan district attorney.

Read more about the fact check.

A look at Trump’s busy legal and election calendar

From CNN's Devan Cole and Amy O'Kruk

Donald Trump is juggling a busy court and campaign schedule as he defends himself in  several criminal cases  while also vying for a second term in the White House.

The former president’s criminal hush money trial is  expected to start on April 15 . He faces charges stemming from his alleged falsification of business records with the intent to conceal illegal conduct connected to his 2016 presidential campaign.

The trial start date in Trump’s  classified documents  case in Florida had been set for late May, but the judge overseeing that case revisited the timing of the trial during a key hearing on March 1. Judge Aileen Cannon has not yet set a new date for the trial.

Here's what the former president's colliding calendar looks like:

Here are where things stand in Trump's civil fraud case and criminal hush money trial

From CNN's staff

Former President Donald Trump had a big legal day on Monday where some major movements happened in the civil fraud and hush money cases against him.

Here's what to know about each case:

Hush money case : Trump  is charged with  34 counts of falsifying business records , stemming from reimbursements made to Trump’s former lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen for hush money payments he made before the 2016 election to cover up an alleged affair with adult film star Stormy Daniels.

The former president has pleaded not guilty and denied the affair.

During a hearing in New York on Monday, which Trump attended, Judge Juan Merchan said the criminal trial against the former president will begin on April 15 with jury selection. The judge dismissed the Trump’s motion to toss out the indictment altogether or delay the trial further.

Civil fraud case : A New York appeals court ruled Trump must pay a $175 million bond as he appeals the civil fraud judgment against him. He also was given 10 additional days to post the bond.

It’s a major lifeline for the former president, who, along with his adult sons and his company, were fined more than $464 million, which was due today, after Judge Arthur Engoron found Trump and his co-defendants fraudulently inflated the value of his assets.

The ruling staves off the prospect, for now, of New York Attorney General Letitia James seeking to seize the former president’s property to enforce the judgment against him.

Trump attorney says appellate ruling on civil fraud bond is a "great first step" towards reversal of judgment 

From CNN’s Kara Scannell

Donald Trump’s attorney Christopher Kise in a statement said the appellate ruling on the civil fraud bond is a "great first step towards reversal of “baseless and reckless judgment.”

Kise also said Trump looks forward to a "full and fair appellate process" that ends the New York Attorney General’s "abuse of power and tyrannical pursuit" of the Republican presidential candidate.

More on the ruling: A New York appeals court Monday said Trump has to post $175 million in 10 days in order for his appeal of Judge Arthur Engoron’s ruling to go forward — giving the former president a lifeline as he faced possible seizure of his prized real estate properties.

New York appellate court's ruling to reduce Trump’s bond is "highly unusual," legal expert says

From CNN’s Allison Morrow

Donald Trump scored a roughly 60% discount on the amount of cash he’ll need to pony up to avoid having his assets seized by the state of New York — an outcome that one legal expert said was “highly unusual.” 

A New York appellate court reduced Trump’s bond to $175 million from $464 million, and granted him 10 days to come up with the payment.

“It’s highly unusual that it would be reduced at all,” said Mitchell Epner, a former federal prosecutor in New York. “And it’s highly unusual that it would be reduced by this amount.”

But, Epner said it’s not unprecedented, citing the 1980s fight between Texaco and Pennzoil, in which a court reduced Texaco’s bond from more than $10 billion to $1 billion. Texaco ended up filing for bankruptcy in 1987.

Trump, his adult sons and his company were fined more than $464 million, including interest, in the New York civil trial, after Judge Arthur Engoron found Trump and his co-defendants fraudulently inflated the value of his assets.

Correction:  This post has been updated with the correct dollar amount of Trump's earlier bond.

Trump says he would have "no problem" testifying in New York hush money trial

From CNN's Ali Main

Former President Donald Trump said Monday that he would have "no problem" testifying in his criminal hush money trial that is now scheduled to begin next month.

"I would have no problem testifying. I didn't do anything wrong," Trump told reporters after attending a hearing in that trial in New York.

Trump’s New York criminal trial will begin on April 15 with jury selection, Judge Juan Merchan said Monday, after dismissing the former president’s motion to toss out the indictment altogether or delay the trial further.

Despite the set date, Trump cast doubt on whether the trial would take place, saying, "I don't know that you're gonna have the trial. I don't know how you can have a trial like this in the middle of an election, a presidential election."

Asked if he was concerned that a conviction in that trial could cost him the election in November, Trump answered, "Well, it could also make me more popular because the people know it's a scam. It's a Biden trial."

Trump on civil fraud bond: "I have a lot of cash"

From CNN's Ali Main and Kate Sullivan

Former President Donald Trump touted that he has "a lot of cash" when asked about the timeline of securing the $175 million bond in the civil fraud case against him.

He went on to say how he would also like to use his cash funds for his reelection bid and claimed, but "they don't want me to use my cash to get reelected."

Asked if he planned to start personal funds into his presidential campaign, Trump responded, "First of all, it's none of your business," before adding, "I might do that. I have the option."

The former president also said he thought it would be possible to borrow money from a foreign government to post a bond in an American trial, but that he wouldn't need to. Pressed by CNN's Kate Sullivan if he would ever accept money from a foreign government to pay, Trump responded, "I don't do that. I mean, I think you'd be allowed to, possibly," remarking that many of the "biggest banks" are outside of the US.

This post has been updated with additional comments from Trump.

Trump claims hush money trial is being rushed as it is set to begin next month

Former President Donald Trump claimed that the hush money trial against him in New York is being rushed and called it "election interference."

“You have a case which … they’re dying to get this thing started. The judge cannot go faster. He wants to get it started so badly," Trump said.

If the trial goes ahead on April 15, it could be the only of Trump’s criminal trials to take place before the November general election. The trial will have begun a year after the charges were filed.

Trump also argued there should not be a trial during the election and attacked his opponent, President Joe Biden.

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Comic: Celebrating the women who’ve been there since Day 1 for gay people

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It’s Women’s History Month and for this installment we’re celebrating all the ones who’ve been there since Day 1 for gaypeople. And we look at how we can start to thank them by showing up for them in return!

Julio Salgado ( @juliosalgado83 ) is a digital illustrator based in Long Beach.

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Ishpeming girls basketball had their own 'Mean Girls' moment. Now Hematites are D-4 champs

EAST LANSING — Tina Fey messed up.

When deciding to make a musical version of "Mean Girls," she should have forgotten about filming it in New Jersey and brought the operation to our Upper Peninsula — Ishpeming, to be exact.

Once there, she could have zeroed on the girls basketball team as the centerpiece of the story.

If you want innuendo, conflict and back-stabbing, we’ve got the team for you.

If you think Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal had difficulty coexisting at times as teammates, well, the Hematites will make the Kobe/Shaq feud look like a honeymoon.

The essential characters are senior Jenna Maki and sophomore Jenessa Eagle.

The movie would begin with the 2022-23 season, when Maki was the high-scoring junior and Eagle was the hotshot freshman, new to the team.

“Last year there was a lot of selfish basketball,” Maki said. “I mean, I can personally say that. Me and Janessa specifically, we had a of back and forth, who’s better, stats and stuff.”

[ Sign up for  our Michigan Preps newsletter  for high school sports news, directly in your inbox. ]

That is not a unique situation. You can find conflicts of that nature on teams throughout the state.

But this was different.

“She was a good player and I had gone those first two years sort of leading the team a little bit,” Maki said. “At first it was ... I’m not going to lie, we did not get along at all. No, it was actually terrible. It was fighting every day.”

Fighting? Are we talking fisticuffs?

“Pretty close sometimes,” Maki said. “It was not good.”

Eagle was not so subtle.

“Yes, definitely, we HATED each other,” she said. “Like, every day, fighting in practice. Like throwing balls at each other. We did not like each other. One play I got yelled at and I threw the ball right at her head.”

Fortunately, Eagle was more accurate aiming at the basket as opposed to Maki’s head and she missed.

These young ladies were not exaggerating their feelings for one another and they were stunned it took their teammates a while before they picked up on it.

“Everyone was surprised when we told them that we hated each other,” Eagle said. “We were both just alpha females who wanted to always have the spotlight.”

Since they were teammates, they had to learn to play together, but that doesn’t mean they enjoyed it.

Even passing to each other was almost too much of an imposition.

“It was ugly faces at each other when we did,” Maki said. “It was not pretty.”

Ishpeming coach Ryan Reichel knew this team, despite last season’s 15-7 record, had the talent to compete for the Division 4 state championship this season, but the dynamic between the two leading characters had to change from a year ago.

So the Hematites hit the road.

“We traveled over 2,000 miles together to different team camps,” he said. “We played over 30 games this summer. We went to six different camps, we were everywhere. Anywhere that had a team camp and they wanted to go, we went.”

One of the extra benefits is the players had a lot of time to find a common bond.

Eagle and Maki had a lot more in common than they imagined. Their talent levels made them different from their teammates, but more alike to each other.

[ Customize your Free Press experience:  Download our app  for the latest news, alerts, eNewspaper and more. ]

“I’ve always explained to girls that were great at the high school level that kind of rub people the wrong way,” Reichel said. “They go on to play college basketball, they’re going to have best friends in college because they’re all just like them.

“Those two are a lot alike, that’s why they butted heads, kind of like having a little sibling.”

The Hematites did well at the camps, but knew there were still ego problems keeping the team from reaching its true potential.

Someone had to make the first move toward reconciliation, and it turned out to be Maki.

“I would say it was me, maturity,” said Maki. “I realized that wasn’t OK anymore and we weren’t going to go anywhere playing like that. She was only 15, so she still needs to mature a little bit, so I should have been expected to step up first and I did.”

It took a while for Maki and Eagle to come to some sort of agreement. We’re talking teenage girls here; it was complicated.

As the summer wore on, the pair warmed to the idea of sharing the ball, not to mention the spotlight. They even liked the way they were playing together.

“Over the summer we went to a lot of camps, we got a closer bond,” Eagle said. “Then the talks started coming out. People said Ishpeming could make a state run. We thought to ourselves, 'Yeah, if we really want to make a state run, we have to learn how to be a team.'”

Eventually they became a team and much more. Ishpeming finished the season 28-1 with an impressive 73-54 victory over Kingston on Saturday morning in the championship game. Eagle scored 27 with five 3-pointers, and Maki scored 24.

Perhaps the most impressive thing about championship day was the impressive turnout of Ishpeming fans, the most from any of the eight participating schools.

“When you see that crowd tonight, that was a lot of blue up there,” said Reichel. “And they’re driving seven hours, expensive gas prices, hotels, food when they could have been on spring break in Florida. But they came to support these girls because they are part of their family.”

Over the course of the summer, Reichel did a lot to make sure Eagle and Maki were together, subtly encouraging them to bond.

MICK MCCABE: Davis twins help West Bloomfield dominate final, but it's a reminder why change is needed

“It didn’t happen by accident,” he said. “We did a lot of fostering and putting them in positions to succeed together. I didn’t make them sit together, but now they’re sitting next to each other every time. They’re best friends.

“If one of them is having a bad game and she might be shooting too much, the other one is hugging her, telling she’s got the next one. They put their egos to the side.”

Reichel always knew Maki would have to be the first one to crack, the one who would reach across the aisle to Eagle to find a way to work through their disagreements.

“Her becoming unselfish changed this team,” the coach said. “If your best player can do that and she will do anything for the team, it sends ripples all the way down through the program.

“It was hard to navigate, but they had to navigate some of that on their own. It’s a life skill. You’ve got to work with people you don’t like sometimes.”

But what about working with people you absolutely hate?

“It’s funny,” Reichel said, “they hated each other and now they’re two best friends.”

You could say they became even closer than best friends.

“Now she’s like a big sister,” said Eagle. “We work together really good.”

Now we just have to find out for Tina Fey if they can sing and dance.

Mick McCabe is a former longtime columnist for the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at  [email protected] . Follow him  @mickmccabe1 .

Save 10% on his new book, “Mick McCabe’s Golden Yearbook: 50 Great Years of Michigan’s Best High School Players, Teams & Memories,” by ordering right now at  McCabe.PictorialBook.com .

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Synonyms and antonyms of assignment in English

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something dangerous or serious, such as an accident, that happens suddenly or unexpectedly and needs fast action in order to avoid harmful results

Paying attention and listening intently: talking about concentration

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Watch CBS News

For the first time, Russia admits it's "in a state of war" with Ukraine

Updated on: March 22, 2024 / 8:18 AM EDT / CBS/AFP

Russia admitted two years into its invasion of Ukraine on Friday that it was "in a state of war," as it launched a massive wave of missile and drone attacks on its neighbor's territory. The admission marks an escalation in official language used to describe the conflict, which the Kremlin initially referred to as a "special military operation."

Russia fired almost 90 missiles and more than 60 Iranian-designed kamikaze drones, damaging "dozens" of energy facilities, including power stations, in what Ukrainian officials said was an attempt to cripple the country's electricity and heating network.

• As Ukraine aid languishes, 15 House members work on end run to approve funds

At least three people were killed and more than 20 injured, according to the interior ministry and local officials.

"We are in a state of war," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in an interview given to a pro-Kremlin newspaper, published Friday. "Yes, it started as a special military operation, but as soon as this bunch was formed there, when the collective West became a participant on Ukraine's side, for us it already became a war," Peskov said.

Moscow often accuses the West of direct participation in the conflict by supplying Ukraine with weapons.

Later on Friday, Peskov elaborated on his remarks to journalists.

"This is a special military operation, nothing has changed. I'm saying that essentially after the collective West entered, it turned into a war for us. This is not related to any legal changes. This is a special military operation de jure. But de facto, in fact, for us it turned into a war after the collective West more and more directly increased the level of its involvement in the conflict," he told reporters.

When asked about people in Russia who have been criminally convicted over the use of the word "war" to describe the conflict, Peskov called the comparison "inappropriate."

"The context is different," Peskov said. "The word 'war' is used in different contexts. Just compare what context I have and what context it is in the cases you cite."

"Largest on record" Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy grid

Russian attacks hit at least nine regions - from Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia near the front lines to Lviv and Ivano-Frankivsk in western Ukraine, hundreds of miles away from the fighting.

Ukraine's state-run power grid, Ukrenergo, said, "This morning's Russian attack on Ukraine's energy system was the largest on record."

"Dozens of power system facilities have been damaged," including thermal and hydroelectric power plants, as well as major and regional power lines and emergency blackouts had been put place in seven regions, it said.

Zelenskyy again pleads for aid

"The world sees the targets of Russian terrorists as clearly as possible: power plants and energy supply lines, a hydroelectric dam, ordinary residential buildings, even a trolleybus," President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

He appealed once again on Friday for more Western arms, blasting political "indecision" that he said was costing Ukrainian lives.

Ukraine has struggled with shortages of both air defenses to protect its skies and ammunition on the ground, with a vital $60 billion military aid package currently held up in the U.S. Congress.

"Russian missiles do not have delays, as do aid packages to our country. The 'Shahed' (drones) have no indecision, like some politicians. It is important to understand the cost of delays and postponed decisions," Zelenskyy said.

"We need air defense to protect people, infrastructure, homes and dams. Our partners know exactly what is needed. They can definitely support us. ... Life must be protected from these non-humans from Moscow."

Ukraine's air force said it shot down 37 of the 88 missiles fired overnight and 55 of 63 drones.

The strikes left around 700,000 consumers without electricity in the northeastern Kharkiv region, governor Oleg Synegubov said.

"The goal is not just to damage, but to try again, like last year, to cause a large-scale failure of the country's energy system," said energy minister German Galushchenko.

Last winter, Russia launched a daily barrage of aerial attacks on Ukraine's power grid, plunging millions into darkness and leaving them without heating in sub-zero temperatures for hours.

But the country's energy network has largely held up this year.

Despite "temporary" blackouts being put in place in some regions, Prime Minister Denys Shmygal said Friday that, "The situation in the energy sector is under control, and there is no need for blackouts across the country."

Emergency electricity was being supplied from Romania, Slovakia and Poland, Galushchenko said.

Key nuclear power plant hit again

One of the strikes Friday severed one of two power lines supplying the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station plant in southeast Ukraine, energy minister Galushchenko said.

The facility, Europe's largest nuclear energy site, was seized by Russian troops in the first days of the war but is powered by Ukrainian lines.

"This situation is extremely dangerous and risks sparking an emergency situation," said Ukraine's atomic energy operator Energoatom.

The plant has suffered multiple blackouts since the beginning of the war, falling back on emergency diesel generators and safety systems.

"In case of their failure, a threat of a nuclear and radiation accident will emerge," said Energoatom.

The International Atomic Energy Agency, which is monitoring the situation at the site, said a back-up power line was still working.

A Russian missile also hit a trolleybus at the Dnipro hydroelectric station, officials said.

Photos on social media showed a fire raging on the dam and the burnt-out carcass of the vehicle.

In Russia, a woman was killed and other people wounded in a strike Friday on Russia's Belgorod, said the governor of the region along the border with Ukraine, where Kyiv has stepped up attacks.

And Moscow's FSB security service said it had arrested seven pro-Ukrainian partisans in the capital, the latest in a flurry of similar cases.

More from CBS News

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Evan Gershkovich's first year in captivity in a Moscow prison

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