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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.
This Week's Word In The News 

JEOPARDIZE

DEFINITION:
Put (someone or something) into a situation in which there is a danger of loss, harm, or failure

FOUND IN THE NEWS:
“Pursuing the primary further would only jeopardize the likelihood of defeating Maura Healey in November.”
The Boston Herald, 05/11/2026

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. Decorum

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

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

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

Appropriateness of behavior or conduct


2. Wretched

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

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

In a deplorable state of distress or misfortune; miserable.

Relating to a system of writing, such as that of ancient Egypt, in which pictorial symbols are used to represent meaning or sounds or a combination of meaning and sound.


3. Technique

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

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.

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

To proclaim publicly


4. Vacillate

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

A treeless area between the icecap and the tree line of Arctic regions, having a permanently frozen subsoil and supporting low-growing vegetation

To have a great ambition or ultimate goal

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


5. Solstice

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

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

A teacher and guide in spiritual and philosophical matters.

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


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