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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.
This Week's Word In The News 

BACKLOT

DEFINITION:
An area behind or adjoining a movie studio containing permanent exterior buildings for outdoor scenes in filmmaking or television productions.

FOUND IN THE NEWS:
Los Angeles City Councilmember Nithya Raman, who serves the 4th District, makes her way across an empty, unnamed backlot, presenting her case to be the city’s next mayor.
The Los Angeles Times, 05/18/2026

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. Tundra

A picture or decorative design made by setting small colored pieces, as of stone or tile, into a surface.

A treeless area between the icecap and the tree line of Arctic regions, having a permanently frozen subsoil and supporting low-growing vegetation

A person with masterly skill or technique in the arts.

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


2. Quandary

Incorrectness of reasoning or belief

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

A state of uncertainty or perplexity.

A very large and destructive wave, generally caused by a tremendous disturbance in the ocean, such as an undersea earthquake or volcanic eruption.


3. Maneuver

A cult or religious movement, a group sharing particular (often unorthodox) political and/or religious beliefs.

A movement or procedure involving skill and dexterity.

The method or result of concealing personnel or equipment from an enemy by making them appear to be part of the natural surroundings

A weather phenomenon in the Eastern Pacific that is precisely equivalent to a hurricane.


4. Nocturnal

A weather phenomenon in the Eastern Pacific that is precisely equivalent to a hurricane.

Using or marked by the use of few words; terse or concise.

To rejoice greatly; be jubilant or triumphant

Of, relating to, or occurring in the night


5. Toxin

To condescend to give or grant

A poisonous substance, especially a protein, that is produced by living cells or organisms.

Being without or almost without hope

Having a backbone or spinal column.


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