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. Expurgate
► To modify, as by shortening or simplifying or by skewing the content in a certain manner.
► The predominant influence, as of a state, region, or group, over another or others.
► Belonging to the period before a war, especially the American Civil War.
2. Laissez faire
► Noninterference in the affairs of others.
► Lacking purpose or vitality; feeble or ineffective.
► To renounce under oath; forswear.
► Something done or paid to compensate or make amends.
3. Orthography
► The art or study of correct spelling according to established usage.
► To bring under control; conquer.
► A place or situation regarded as drawing into its center all that surrounds it.
4. Deciduous
► Falling off or shed at a specific season or stage of growth:
► Overbearing pride or presumption; arrogance.
► To repeat in concise form. To make a summary.
5. Equinox
► To repeat in concise form. To make a summary.
► The side of a right triangle opposite the right angle.
► Deception by trickery or sophistry.
©2026 Boston Herald in Education and Online Publications Inc. and NIEonline.com
