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Words in the News

This Week's Word In The News 

BACKLOT

DEFINITION:
An area behind or adjoining a movie studio containing permanent exterior buildings for outdoor scenes in filmmaking or television productions.

FOUND IN THE NEWS:
Los Angeles City Councilmember Nithya Raman, who serves the 4th District, makes her way across an empty, unnamed backlot, presenting her case to be the city’s next mayor.
The Los Angeles Times, 05/18/2026

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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. Chronology

A characteristic rate or rhythm of activity; a pace

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

A person with masterly skill or technique in the arts.

The arrangement of events in time


2. Maneuver

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

A movement or procedure involving skill and dexterity.

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

The food-conducting tissue of vascular plants, consisting of sieve tubes, fibers, parenchyma, and sclereids.


3. Undulate

The food-conducting tissue of vascular plants, consisting of sieve tubes, fibers, parenchyma, and sclereids.

The act of resting or the state of being at rest.

Incorrectness of reasoning or belief

To move in waves or with a smooth, wavelike motion.


4. Yacht

Loud, noisy, and lacking in restraint or discipline

To stress or emphasize; intensify

Any of various relatively small sailing or motor-driven vessels used for pleasure cruises or racing.

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


5. Vertebrate

The supporting and water-conducting tissue of vascular plants, consisting primarily of tracheids and vessels; woody tissue.

Having a backbone or spinal column.

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

Harmful, malevolent, injurious. Harmfully cancerous.


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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.