TIE | The Los Angeles Times in Education

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. Ellipse

► A proportional part or share.

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

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

► Self-examination.

2. Spectrum

► 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 distribution of energy emitted by a radiant source, arranged in order of wavelengths.

► Having a buoyant or self-confident air; brisk.

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

3. Plateau

► A characteristic rate or rhythm of activity; a pace

► Selecting or employing individual elements from a variety of sources, systems, or styles

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

► One that speaks for, represents, or advocates

4. Xylem

► Appropriateness of behavior or conduct

► A form of a verb that in some languages, such as English, can function independently as an adjective.

► The supporting and water-conducting tissue of vascular plants, consisting primarily of tracheids and vessels; woody tissue.

► Having or demonstrating enthusiasm

5. Repose

► Any of various relatively small sailing or motor-driven vessels used for pleasure cruises or racing.

► The act of resting or the state of being at rest.

► A movement or procedure involving skill and dexterity.

► To rejoice greatly; be jubilant or triumphant

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.

SUREFIRE

Words in the News Quiz
5 Middle School Words

SUREFIRE
DEFINITION: Certain or likely, especially to succeed.	FOUND IN THE NEWS: Kirby taught himself how to count cards, a surefire way to get barred from gambling at a casino, “raking in money on trips to Atlantic City and Las Vegas,” the article stated. ►The Las Vegas Review-Journal, 05/04/2026

SUREFIRE

Words in the News Quiz5 Middle School Words

Words in the News Quiz
5 Middle School Words