Words in the News

This Week's Word In The News 

SUREFIRE

DEFINITION:
Certain or likely, especially to succeed.

FOUND IN THE NEWS:
Kirby taught himself how to count cards, a surefire way to get barred from gambling at a casino, “raking in money on trips to Atlantic City and Las Vegas,” the article stated.
The Las Vegas Review-Journal, 05/04/2026

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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. Levee

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

An embankment built to prevent flooding

Having no specific pattern, purpose, or objective.

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


2. Dialogue

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

A schedule of prices or fees.

Conversation between characters in a drama or narrative

To grow well or luxuriantly; thrive


3. Introspection

To pound, crush, or grind to a powder or dust.

Grossly offensive to decency or morality.

The right or privilege of voting; franchise.

Self-examination.


4. Exponent

Being without or almost without hope

One that is inconvenient, annoying, or vexatious; a bother.

One that speaks for, represents, or advocates

A movement or procedure involving skill and dexterity.


5. Strategy

Selecting or employing individual elements from a variety of sources, systems, or styles

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

In a deplorable state of distress or misfortune; miserable.

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


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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.