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. Mosaic

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

To abstain from or act together in abstaining from using, buying, or dealing with as an expression of protest or disfavor or as a means of coercion

A picture or decorative design made by setting small colored pieces, as of stone or tile, into a surface.

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


2. Deduction

One thing conceived as representing another; a symbol.

The quality or state of being tranquil; serenity.

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

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


3. Lichen

One who rejects a religion, cause, allegiance, or group for another; a deserter.

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

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

Strikingly unconventional and far-fetched in style or appearance; odd


4. Xylem

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

Incorrectness of reasoning or belief

Either of two times of the year when the sun is at its greatest distance from the celestial equator.

A prohibition by a government on certain or all trade with a foreign nation


5. Gargoyle

Either of two times of the year when the sun is at its greatest distance from the celestial equator.

A prohibition by a government on certain or all trade with a foreign nation

A state of uncertainty or perplexity.

A grotesque ornamental figure or projection.


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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.