Words in the News

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

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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. Protagonist

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

► The main character in a drama or other literary work.

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

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

2. Despondent

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

► To take in by elaborate methods of deceit

► Being without or almost without hope

► A person with masterly skill or technique in the arts.

3. Pulverize

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

► To cringe in fear

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

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

4. Quarantine

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

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

► An intricate structure of interconnecting passages through which it is difficult to find one’s way; a maze.

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

5. Wretched

► A teacher and guide in spiritual and philosophical matters.

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

► A preparation of a weakened or killed pathogen.

► In a deplorable state of distress or misfortune; miserable.

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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.