Words in the News

This Week's Word In The News 

FOOTHOLD

DEFINITION:
A position usable as a base for further advance.

FOUND IN THE NEWS:
Growing national anxiety over the impact of massive data centers on communities has found a foothold in Greater Boston in the form of Markley’s Lowell location.
The Boston Herald, 08/10/2026

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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. Ozone

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

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

Having a buoyant or self-confident air; brisk.

An unstable, poisonous allotrope of oxygen.


2. Zoology

A person authorized to act as representative for another; a deputy.

To grow well or luxuriantly; thrive

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

A grotesque ornamental figure or projection.


3. Despondent

Being without or almost without hope

Similarity in some respects between things that are otherwise dissimilar.

To swing indecisively from one course of action or opinion to another.

Self-examination.


4. Parasite

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

One who habitually takes advantage of the generosity of others without making any useful return.

Conversation between characters in a drama or narrative

A fungus, usually of the class Ascomycetes, that grows symbiotically with algae,


5. Cower

A fungus, usually of the class Ascomycetes, that grows symbiotically with algae,

A rebirth or revival.

A schedule of prices or fees.

To cringe in fear


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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.