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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. Undulate

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

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

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

Being without or almost without hope


2. Protagonist

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

The main character in a drama or other literary work.

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

The repetition of the same sounds or of the same kinds of sounds at the beginning of words or in stressed syllables


3. Hieroglyphic

A proportional part or share.

Relating to a system of writing, such as that of ancient Egypt, in which pictorial symbols are used to represent meaning or sounds or a combination of meaning and sound.

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

A disorderly commotion or disturbance.


4. Tranquility

A disorderly commotion or disturbance.

Enforced isolation or restriction of free movement imposed to prevent the spread of contagious disease.

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.

The quality or state of being tranquil; serenity.


5. Dialogue

Conversation between characters in a drama or narrative

Something that is passed down from preceding generations; a tradition.

The drawing of a conclusion by reasoning; the act of deducing.

Similarity in some respects between things that are otherwise dissimilar.


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