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. Guru

A teacher and guide in spiritual and philosophical matters.

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

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

A diffuse mass of interstellar dust or gas or both, visible as luminous patches or areas of darkness


2. Quota

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

A proportional part or share.

To swing indecisively from one course of action or opinion to another.

A very large and destructive wave, generally caused by a tremendous disturbance in the ocean, such as an undersea earthquake or volcanic eruption.


3. Lichen

The systematic procedure by which a complex or scientific task is accomplished.

Strikingly unconventional and far-fetched in style or appearance; odd

A fungus, usually of the class Ascomycetes, that grows symbiotically with algae,

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


4. Cower

Relating to a system of writing, such as that of ancient Egypt, in which pictorial symbols are used to represent meaning or sounds or a combination of meaning and sound.

One who rejects a religion, cause, allegiance, or group for another; a deserter.

Appropriateness of behavior or conduct

To cringe in fear


5. Impertinent

A Y-shaped protein on the surface of B cells that is secreted into the blood or lymph in response to an antigenic stimulus

Of, relating to, or occurring in the night

A cult or religious movement, a group sharing particular (often unorthodox) political and/or religious beliefs.

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


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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.