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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. Mosaic

A fungus, usually of the class Ascomycetes, that grows symbiotically with algae,

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

Having or demonstrating enthusiasm

Any of various nonplacental mammals, including kangaroos, opossums, bandicoots, and wombats, found principally in Australia and the Americas.


2. Alliteration

Of or relating to the range of invisible radiation wavelengths from about 4 nanometers, on the border of the x-ray region, to about 380 nanometers, just beyond the violet in the visible spectrum.

To grow well or luxuriantly; thrive

The repetition of the same sounds or of the same kinds of sounds at the beginning of words or in stressed syllables

A dense evergreen forest occupying a tropical region with an annual rainfall of at least 100 inches.


3. Solstice

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

A diffuse mass of interstellar dust or gas or both, visible as luminous patches or areas of darkness

A teacher and guide in spiritual and philosophical matters.

Enforced isolation or restriction of free movement imposed to prevent the spread of contagious disease.


4. Nocturnal

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

Of, relating to, or occurring in the night

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

Having a backbone or spinal column.


5. Ozone

An unstable, poisonous allotrope of oxygen.

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

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

A rebirth or revival.


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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.