Bay Area Newsgroup Newspapers in Education.  The Mercury News, East Bay Times, Marin Independant Journal, Santa Cruz Sentinel.  Classroom Hero image. Bay Area Newsgroup Newspapers in Education.  The Mercury News, East Bay Times, Marin Independant Journal, Santa Cruz Sentinel.  Classroom Hero image.
Home About NIE Sponsor NIE Contact Us
Geography Last Week Front Page Cartoons News Video Words Use the News History Special Report Pulse NASA

Words in the News

This Week's Word In The News 

ARID

DEFINITION:
Being without moisture; extremely dry; parched.

FOUND IN THE NEWS:
The unpredictability of illegal fireworks make them dangerous in the arid desert climate, said Riddle, who is also bureau commander of Metro’s Northeast Area Command.
The Las Vegas Review-Journal, 06/30/2025

Generate your own quiz
Select a grade level
 Elementary
 Middle School
 High School
Select a quiz type
 By words
 By Definitions
Select how many questions
5   10   15   20  

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. Wretched

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

A rebirth or revival.

The systematic procedure by which a complex or scientific task is accomplished.

In a deplorable state of distress or misfortune; miserable.


2. Toxin

The quality or state of being tranquil; serenity.

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

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

A movement or procedure involving skill and dexterity.


3. Renegade

An alteration or change, as in nature, form, or quality.

A disorderly commotion or disturbance.

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

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


4. Sacrifice

A state of uncertainty or perplexity.

To take in by elaborate methods of deceit

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

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


5. Embargo

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

A preparation of a weakened or killed pathogen.

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

Sharing the same opinions or views; being in complete harmony or accord.


Get more Quizzes 

 Elementary School    Middle School   High School  

 By Word     By Definition    5  10  15  20 Questions

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.