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.
Words in the News Quiz
5 High 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. Hypotenuse
► A sudden manifestation of the essence or meaning of something.
► Something done or paid to compensate or make amends.
► The side of a right triangle opposite the right angle.
► The use of unnecessarily wordy and indirect language.
2. Jejune
► A place or situation regarded as drawing into its center all that surrounds it.
► To weaken or destroy the strength or vitality of.
3. Recapitulate
► To repeat in concise form. To make a summary.
► To picture falsely; misrepresent.
► To modify, as by shortening or simplifying or by skewing the content in a certain manner.
4. Nihilism
► Vacuously, smugly, and unconsciously foolish.
► A doctrine holding that all values are baseless and that nothing can be known or communicated.
► To separate or get rid of (an undesirable part); eliminate.
5. Polymer
► To make an accusation against.
► Mournful, dismal, or gloomy, especially to an exaggerated or ludicrous degree.
► The predominant influence, as of a state, region, or group, over another or others.
©2026 Boston Herald in Education and Online Publications Inc. and NIEonline.com
