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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

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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. Zoology

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

► A preparation of a weakened or killed pathogen.

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

► A person with masterly skill or technique in the arts.

2. Omnivore

► To grow well or luxuriantly; thrive

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

► One that takes in everything available, as with the mind.

► Marked by hearty conviviality and good cheer.

3. Exult

► A movement or procedure involving skill and dexterity.

► Consuming or eager to consume great amounts of food; ravenous.

► To rejoice greatly; be jubilant or triumphant

► A rebirth or revival.

4. Antibody

► An embankment built to prevent flooding

► A teacher and guide in spiritual and philosophical matters.

► To honor the memory of with a ceremony

► A Y-shaped protein on the surface of B cells that is secreted into the blood or lymph in response to an antigenic stimulus

5. Gargoyle

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

► A grotesque ornamental figure or projection.

► Exceeding the limits of propriety or good manners; improperly forward or bold

► An alteration or change, as in nature, form, or quality.

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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.

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