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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 

INCARCERATED

DEFINITION:
Confined in a jail or prison.

FOUND IN THE NEWS:
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation is restricting access to rehabilitative programming for incarcerated people as it clamps down on overtime spending before the end of its financial year.
The Los Angeles Times, 06/29/2026

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. Inference

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

The act of reasoning from factual knowledge or evidence.

To rejoice greatly; be jubilant or triumphant

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


2. Jaunty

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

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

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

Having a buoyant or self-confident air; brisk.


3. Aspire

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

A person with masterly skill or technique in the arts.

To have a great ambition or ultimate goal

One that speaks for, represents, or advocates


4. Hypocrisy

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

The practice of professing beliefs, feelings, or virtues that one does not hold or possess; falseness.

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

Grossly offensive to decency or morality.


5. Suffrage

To grow well or luxuriantly; thrive

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

The right or privilege of voting; franchise.

A state of uncertainty or perplexity.


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