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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 

WILDFIRE

DEFINITION:
An unplanned and uncontrolled fire in an area of combustible vegetation.

FOUND IN THE NEWS:
It was not yet clear how the wildfires started, but a long drought, low humidity and strong winds were fueling them.
The Key West Citizen, 04/27/2026

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. Parasite

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

Loud, noisy, and lacking in restraint or discipline

One who habitually takes advantage of the generosity of others without making any useful return.

To take in by elaborate methods of deceit


2. Vacillate

A rebirth or revival.

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

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

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


3. Malignant

Harmful, malevolent, injurious. Harmfully cancerous.

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

In a deplorable state of distress or misfortune; miserable.

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


4. Zoology

In a deplorable state of distress or misfortune; miserable.

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

To cringe in fear

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


5. Kilometer

Having or demonstrating enthusiasm

A movement or procedure involving skill and dexterity.

A grotesque ornamental figure or projection.

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


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