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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 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. Sect

The distance that light travels in a vacuum in one year.

A cult or religious movement, a group sharing particular (often unorthodox) political and/or religious beliefs.

A rebirth or revival.

One that speaks for, represents, or advocates


2. Tsunami

One that speaks for, represents, or advocates

A teacher and guide in spiritual and philosophical matters.

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

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


3. Ellipse

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

The locus of points for which the sum of the distances from each point to two fixed points is equal

A fungus, usually of the class Ascomycetes, that grows symbiotically with algae,

Having a backbone or spinal column.


4. Bandolier

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

Inspiring awe, admiration, or wonder

A form of a verb that in some languages, such as English, can function independently as an adjective.

The pattern produced on a photosensitive medium that has been exposed by holography and then photographically developed.


5. Vacillate

The pattern produced on a photosensitive medium that has been exposed by holography and then photographically developed.

Appropriateness of behavior or conduct

To swing indecisively from one course of action or opinion to another.

A characteristic rate or rhythm of activity; a pace


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