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 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. Pulverize
► The distribution of energy emitted by a radiant source, arranged in order of wavelengths.
► To pound, crush, or grind to a powder or dust.
► Having a backbone or spinal column.
► Having a buoyant or self-confident air; brisk.
2. Wretched
► In a deplorable state of distress or misfortune; miserable.
► An embankment built to prevent flooding
► A proportional part or share.
3. Exponent
► One that speaks for, represents, or advocates
► Having no specific pattern, purpose, or objective.
► Having or demonstrating enthusiasm
► Something that is passed down from preceding generations; a tradition.
4. Omnivore
► Something that is passed down from preceding generations; a tradition.
► The act of resting or the state of being at rest.
► One that takes in everything available, as with the mind.
► A fungus, usually of the class Ascomycetes, that grows symbiotically with algae,
5. Laconic
► Conversation between characters in a drama or narrative
► To rejoice greatly; be jubilant or triumphant
► Using or marked by the use of few words; terse or concise.