Words in the News

This Week's Word In The News 

DISABILITY

DEFINITION:
A physical, mental, cognitive, or developmental condition that makes it more difficult for a person to do certain tasks or participate in daily activities.

FOUND IN THE NEWS:
The agreement last week between Disability-rights groups and Secretary of State Shirley Weber follows an Oct. 2 ruling by U.S. Magistrate Judge Sallie Kim of San Francisco that the current system violates the Americans with Disabilities Act and other laws.
►San Francisco Chronicle, 11/02/2026

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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. Nocturnal

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

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

► Of, relating to, or occurring in the night

► A drawing consisting of the outline of something, especially a human profile, filled in with a solid color.


2. Plateau

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

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

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

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


3. Impertinent

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

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

► A poisonous substance, especially a protein, that is produced by living cells or organisms.

► Similarity in some respects between things that are otherwise dissimilar.


4. Commemorate

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

► To rejoice greatly; be jubilant or triumphant

► To honor the memory of with a ceremony

► A cult or religious movement, a group sharing particular (often unorthodox) political and/or religious beliefs.


5. Stereotype

► An embankment built to prevent flooding

► A teacher and guide in spiritual and philosophical matters.

► A rebirth or revival.

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


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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.