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. Plateau

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

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

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

A closed plane figure bounded by three or more line segments.


2. Sacrifice

A teacher and guide in spiritual and philosophical matters.

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

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

The repetition of the same sounds or of the same kinds of sounds at the beginning of words or in stressed syllables


3. Cower

The distribution of energy emitted by a radiant source, arranged in order of wavelengths.

To cringe in fear

Having or demonstrating enthusiasm

One that takes in everything available, as with the mind.


4. Jovial

Marked by hearty conviviality and good cheer.

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

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

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


5. Marsupial

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

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

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

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


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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.