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 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. Vacillate
► A relationship of mutual benefit or dependence.
► A movement or procedure involving skill and dexterity.
► To swing indecisively from one course of action or opinion to another.
2. Polygon
► To pound, crush, or grind to a powder or dust.
► A closed plane figure bounded by three or more line segments.
► A person with masterly skill or technique in the arts.
3. Plateau
► A poisonous substance, especially a protein, that is produced by living cells or organisms.
► An elevated, comparatively level expanse of land; a tableland.
► To have a great ambition or ultimate goal
4. Quandary
► A proportional part or share.
► A state of uncertainty or perplexity.
► Grossly offensive to decency or morality.
5. Tariff
► A person authorized to act as representative for another; a deputy.
► A schedule of prices or fees.