Words in the News

This Week's Word In The News 

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

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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. Bandolier

The arrangement of events in time

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

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

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


2. Symbiosis

A relationship of mutual benefit or dependence.

A state of uncertainty or perplexity.

To move back or away from a limit, point, or mark

Being without or almost without hope


3. Ultraviolet

Not subject to an obligation imposed on others; exempt.

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.

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

Something that is passed down from preceding generations; a tradition.


4. Spectrum

Something that is passed down from preceding generations; a tradition.

Having or demonstrating enthusiasm

An unstable, poisonous allotrope of oxygen.

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


5. Jaunty

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

Having a buoyant or self-confident air; brisk.

Relating to a system of writing, such as that of ancient Egypt, in which pictorial symbols are used to represent meaning or sounds or a combination of meaning and sound.

A movement or procedure involving skill and dexterity.


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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.