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.
Words in the News Quiz
5 High 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. Lexicon
► Division into ordered groups or categories.
► Lacking purpose or vitality; feeble or ineffective.
► A stock of terms used in a particular profession, subject, or style; a vocabulary:
2. Thermodynamics
► Physics that deals with the relationships and conversions between heat and other forms of energy.
► Warlike in manner or temperament; pugnacious.
3. Nonsectarian
► Characterized by affected, exaggerated, or insincere earnestness.
► Not limited to or associated with a particular religious denomination.
► Eating and drinking in moderation.
4. Oligarchy
► Of, relating to, or produced by motion.
► Government by a few, especially by a small faction of persons or families.
► To abolish, do away with, or annul, especially by authority.
5. Obsequious
► The basic unit of currency among participating European Union countries.
► Quickness, accuracy, and keenness of judgment or insight.
► Full of or exhibiting servile compliance; fawning.
©2026 Boston Herald in Education and Online Publications Inc. and NIEonline.com




