Words in the News

This Week's Word In The News 

WILDFIRE

DEFINITION:
An unplanned and uncontrolled fire in an area of combustible vegetation.

FOUND IN THE NEWS:
It was not yet clear how the wildfires started, but a long drought, low humidity and strong winds were fueling them.
The Key West Citizen, 04/27/2026

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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. Ozone

An unstable, poisonous allotrope of oxygen.

Having or demonstrating enthusiasm

In a deplorable state of distress or misfortune; miserable.

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


2. Xylem

The supporting and water-conducting tissue of vascular plants, consisting primarily of tracheids and vessels; woody tissue.

Grossly offensive to decency or morality.

A picture or decorative design made by setting small colored pieces, as of stone or tile, into a surface.

To honor the memory of with a ceremony


3. Exponent

One that speaks for, represents, or advocates

The science and art of using all the forces of a nation to execute approved plans as effectively as possible during peace or war.

An embankment built to prevent flooding

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


4. Salmonella

A disorderly commotion or disturbance.

Any of several rod-shaped bacteria, of the genus Salmonella, that cause food poisoning and other diseases.

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

A weather phenomenon in the Eastern Pacific that is precisely equivalent to a hurricane.


5. Bamboozle

To take in by elaborate methods of deceit

Any of various relatively small sailing or motor-driven vessels used for pleasure cruises or racing.

A grotesque ornamental figure or projection.

A rebirth or revival.


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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.