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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 

BACKLOT

DEFINITION:
An area behind or adjoining a movie studio containing permanent exterior buildings for outdoor scenes in filmmaking or television productions.

FOUND IN THE NEWS:
Los Angeles City Councilmember Nithya Raman, who serves the 4th District, makes her way across an empty, unnamed backlot, presenting her case to be the city’s next mayor.
►The Los Angeles Times, 05/18/2026

Words in the News Quiz
5 Elementary 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. misgivings

► To move in a quick fashion.

► To notice or view, especially carefully or with attention to detail.

► A state of confused and noisy disturbance

► Doubt, apprehension, a feeling of dread

2. ensure

► To make sure or certain of something (usually some future event or condition).

► To overpower; to subdue; to put down.

► Important with regards to (a subject or matter); relevant

► The smaller number or part, esp. a number that is less than half the whole number

3. scurry

► The smaller number or part, esp. a number that is less than half the whole number

► A form of acrobatic display which involves the dramatic bending and flexing of the human body.

► To run away with quick light steps, to scamper.

► To set fire to (something), to light (something)

4. cunning

► Scattered fragments, typically of something wrecked or destroyed

► The system of production and distribution and consumption.

► Sly; crafty; clever in surreptitious behaviour.

► Dark, faint or indistinct.

5. waft

► To cause to float easily or gently through the air

► One of the simplest or essential parts or principles of which anything consists, or upon which the constitution or fundamental powers of anything are based.

► An attempt to deceive someone into believing that one can or will do something.

► Assuming power or authority without justification; arrogant and domineering

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