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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. Sect

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

A drawing consisting of the outline of something, especially a human profile, filled in with a solid color.

Of, relating to, or occurring in the night


2. Symbiosis

A relationship of mutual benefit or dependence.

Either of two times of the year when the sun is at its greatest distance from the celestial equator.

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

A diffuse mass of interstellar dust or gas or both, visible as luminous patches or areas of darkness


3. Guru

Having or demonstrating enthusiasm

A teacher and guide in spiritual and philosophical matters.

The locus of points for which the sum of the distances from each point to two fixed points is equal

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


4. Jaunty

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

Appropriateness of behavior or conduct

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

Having a buoyant or self-confident air; brisk.


5. Quandary

Inspiring awe, admiration, or wonder

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

A state of uncertainty or perplexity.

A person with masterly skill or technique in the arts.


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