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. Mutation
► An alteration or change, as in nature, form, or quality.
► To rejoice greatly; be jubilant or triumphant
► A disorderly commotion or disturbance.
2. Pulverize
► To rejoice greatly; be jubilant or triumphant
► A disorderly commotion or disturbance.
► To move in waves or with a smooth, wavelike motion.
► To pound, crush, or grind to a powder or dust.
3. Spectrum
► Conversation between characters in a drama or narrative
► A proportional part or share.
► A metric unit of length equal to 1,000 meters (0.62 mile).
► The distribution of energy emitted by a radiant source, arranged in order of wavelengths.
4. Embargo
► A movement or procedure involving skill and dexterity.
► Appropriateness of behavior or conduct
► A prohibition by a government on certain or all trade with a foreign nation
5. Parasite
► The main character in a drama or other literary work.
► Strikingly unconventional and far-fetched in style or appearance; odd
► One who habitually takes advantage of the generosity of others without making any useful return.