Words in the News

This Week's Word In The News 

MITIGATION

DEFINITION:
The action of reducing the severity, seriousness, or painfulness of something.

FOUND IN THE NEWS:
But after years of record investment by the state in such wildfire risk mitigation, two key money sources are drying up, potentially reducing the state’s annual budget for vegetation removal by hundreds of millions of dollars.
The Los Angeles Times, 06/01/2026

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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. Parasite

One who habitually takes advantage of the generosity of others without making any useful return.

One that speaks for, represents, or advocates

An intricate structure of interconnecting passages through which it is difficult to find one’s way; a maze.

The quality or state of being tranquil; serenity.


2. Divulge

An intricate structure of interconnecting passages through which it is difficult to find one’s way; a maze.

The quality or state of being tranquil; serenity.

Inspiring awe, admiration, or wonder

To proclaim publicly


3. Nocturnal

Of, relating to, or occurring in the night

A schedule of prices or fees.

Having no specific pattern, purpose, or objective.

The method or result of concealing personnel or equipment from an enemy by making them appear to be part of the natural surroundings


4. Marsupial

Having no specific pattern, purpose, or objective.

The method or result of concealing personnel or equipment from an enemy by making them appear to be part of the natural surroundings

Not subject to an obligation imposed on others; exempt.

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


5. Toxin

An alteration or change, as in nature, form, or quality.

A poisonous substance, especially a protein, that is produced by living cells or organisms.

Something that is passed down from preceding generations; a tradition.

In a deplorable state of distress or misfortune; miserable.


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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.