Words in the News

This Week's Word In The News 

SUREFIRE

DEFINITION:
Certain or likely, especially to succeed.

FOUND IN THE NEWS:
Kirby taught himself how to count cards, a surefire way to get barred from gambling at a casino, “raking in money on trips to Atlantic City and Las Vegas,” the article stated.
►The Las Vegas Review-Journal, 05/04/2026

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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. Yacht

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

► Any of various relatively small sailing or motor-driven vessels used for pleasure cruises or racing.

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

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

2. Decorum

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

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

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

► Appropriateness of behavior or conduct

3. Aspire

► To have a great ambition or ultimate goal

► The science and art of using all the forces of a nation to execute approved plans as effectively as possible during peace or war.

► An embankment built to prevent flooding

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

4. Cower

► An embankment built to prevent flooding

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

► Consuming or eager to consume great amounts of food; ravenous.

► To cringe in fear

5. Bamboozle

► To take in by elaborate methods of deceit

► Having a buoyant or self-confident air; brisk.

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

► A disorderly commotion or disturbance.

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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.