Words in the News

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

Generate your own quiz
Select a grade level
 Elementary
 Middle School
 High School
Select a quiz type
 By words
 By Definitions
Select how many questions
5   10   15   20  

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. Deign

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

Not subject to an obligation imposed on others; exempt.

In a deplorable state of distress or misfortune; miserable.

To condescend to give or grant


2. Plateau

A metric unit of length equal to 1,000 meters (0.62 mile).

An elevated, comparatively level expanse of land; a tableland.

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

One that is inconvenient, annoying, or vexatious; a bother.


3. Technique

One that is inconvenient, annoying, or vexatious; a bother.

Having or demonstrating enthusiasm

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

The systematic procedure by which a complex or scientific task is accomplished.


4. Guru

The act of reasoning from factual knowledge or evidence.

An unstable, poisonous allotrope of oxygen.

A teacher and guide in spiritual and philosophical matters.

Grossly offensive to decency or morality.


5. Exponent

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

To move back or away from a limit, point, or mark

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

One that speaks for, represents, or advocates


Get more Quizzes 

 Elementary School    Middle School   High School  

 By Word     By Definition    5  10  15  20 Questions

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.