Words in the News

This Week's Word In The News 

ACCESS

DEFINITION:
The freedom or ability to obtain or make use of something.

FOUND IN THE NEWS:
Restrict access to out-of-state entities, like federal agencies, private entities, or other states, unless required by a court order or judicial warrant.
The Duluth News Tribune, 08/24/2026

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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. Exponent

Forfeiture of something highly valued for the sake of one considered to have a greater value or claim.

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

Sharing the same opinions or views; being in complete harmony or accord.

One that speaks for, represents, or advocates


2. Plateau

An elevated, comparatively level expanse of land; a tableland.

Either of two times of the year when the sun is at its greatest distance from the celestial equator.

A person authorized to act as representative for another; a deputy.

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


3. Inference

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

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

The act of reasoning from factual knowledge or evidence.

To cringe in fear


4. Protagonist

Exceeding the limits of propriety or good manners; improperly forward or bold

A relationship of mutual benefit or dependence.

A metric unit of length equal to 1,000 meters (0.62 mile).

The main character in a drama or other literary work.


5. Ellipse

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

A preparation of a weakened or killed pathogen.

Not subject to an obligation imposed on others; exempt.

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


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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.