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Words in the News

This Week's Word In The News 

ACQUAINTANCE

DEFINITION:
A person one knows slightly, but who is not a close friend.

FOUND IN THE NEWS:
When photographer Peter Turnley was just 20 years old, an acquaintance from the California Office of Economic Opportunity reached out to him with a question.
The Los Angeles Times, 12/01/2025

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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. Spectrum

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

The locus of points for which the sum of the distances from each point to two fixed points is equal

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

A weather phenomenon in the Eastern Pacific that is precisely equivalent to a hurricane.


2. Toxin

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

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

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

To proclaim publicly


3. Metaphor

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

To proclaim publicly

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

One thing conceived as representing another; a symbol.


4. Embargo

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

The science and art of using all the forces of a nation to execute approved plans as effectively as possible during peace or war.

A metric unit of length equal to 1,000 meters (0.62 mile).

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


5. Bandolier

To pound, crush, or grind to a powder or dust.

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

In a deplorable state of distress or misfortune; miserable.

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


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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.