Words in the News

This Week's Word In The News 

ACQUAINTANCE

DEFINITION:
A person one knows slightly, but who is not a close friend.

FOUND IN THE NEWS:
When photographer Peter Turnley was just 20 years old, an acquaintance from the California Office of Economic Opportunity reached out to him with a question.
The Los Angeles Times, 12/01/2025

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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. Ultraviolet

An ammunition belt, worn over the shoulder, having loops or pockets for cartridges.

Of or relating to the range of invisible radiation wavelengths from about 4 nanometers, on the border of the x-ray region, to about 380 nanometers, just beyond the violet in the visible spectrum.

One thing conceived as representing another; a symbol.

A relationship of mutual benefit or dependence.


2. Random

Having no specific pattern, purpose, or objective.

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

Loud, noisy, and lacking in restraint or discipline

Marked by hearty conviviality and good cheer.


3. Cower

To cringe in fear

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

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

An intricate structure of interconnecting passages through which it is difficult to find one’s way; a maze.


4. Immune

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

Not subject to an obligation imposed on others; exempt.

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

A conventional, formulaic, and oversimplified conception, opinion, or image.


5. Deign

A conventional, formulaic, and oversimplified conception, opinion, or image.

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

Enforced isolation or restriction of free movement imposed to prevent the spread of contagious disease.

To condescend to give or grant


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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.