Words in the News

This Week's Word In The News 

WILDFIRE

DEFINITION:
An unplanned and uncontrolled fire in an area of combustible vegetation.

FOUND IN THE NEWS:
It was not yet clear how the wildfires started, but a long drought, low humidity and strong winds were fueling them.
The Key West Citizen, 04/27/2026

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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. Parasite

Incorrectness of reasoning or belief

An embankment built to prevent flooding

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

One that speaks for, represents, or advocates


2. Solstice

Forfeiture of something highly valued for the sake of one considered to have a greater value or claim.

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

To condescend to give or grant

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


3. Delegate

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

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

Of, relating to, or occurring in the night

A grotesque ornamental figure or projection.


4. Plateau

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

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

A very large and destructive wave, generally caused by a tremendous disturbance in the ocean, such as an undersea earthquake or volcanic eruption.

Any of several rod-shaped bacteria, of the genus Salmonella, that cause food poisoning and other diseases.


5. Jovial

A schedule of prices or fees.

Marked by hearty conviviality and good cheer.

To grow well or luxuriantly; thrive

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


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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.