Words in the News

This Week's Word In The News 

FOOTHOLD

DEFINITION:
A position usable as a base for further advance.

FOUND IN THE NEWS:
Growing national anxiety over the impact of massive data centers on communities has found a foothold in Greater Boston in the form of Markley’s Lowell location.
The Boston Herald, 08/10/2026

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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. Solstice

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

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

To move back or away from a limit, point, or mark

To grow well or luxuriantly; thrive


2. Renaissance

To take in by elaborate methods of deceit

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

A rebirth or revival.

Harmful, malevolent, injurious. Harmfully cancerous.


3. Quota

A proportional part or share.

The main character in a drama or other literary work.

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

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


4. Immune

To condescend to give or grant

Not subject to an obligation imposed on others; exempt.

Having a buoyant or self-confident air; brisk.

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


5. Renegade

A conventional, formulaic, and oversimplified conception, opinion, or image.

The branch of biology that deals with animals and animal life, including the study of the structure, physiology, development, and classification of animals.

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

A characteristic rate or rhythm of activity; a pace


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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.