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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 

PROPOSITION

DEFINITION:
Something offered for consideration or acceptance.

FOUND IN THE NEWS:
proposition 10 was considered a landmark policy.
The Los Angeles Times, 12/15/2025

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

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

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

A form of a verb that in some languages, such as English, can function independently as an adjective.

Appropriateness of behavior or conduct


2. Fallacy

Similarity in some respects between things that are otherwise dissimilar.

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

Using or marked by the use of few words; terse or concise.

Incorrectness of reasoning or belief


3. Mutation

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

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

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

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


4. Tsunami

To proclaim publicly

A very large and destructive wave, generally caused by a tremendous disturbance in the ocean, such as an undersea earthquake or volcanic eruption.

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

Having a buoyant or self-confident air; brisk.


5. Polygon

A closed plane figure bounded by three or more line segments.

A state of uncertainty or perplexity.

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

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


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