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. Gargoyle

A form of a verb that in some languages, such as English, can function independently as an adjective.

A grotesque ornamental figure or projection.

The practice of professing beliefs, feelings, or virtues that one does not hold or possess; falseness.

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


2. Solstice

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

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

Self-examination.

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


3. Technique

A proportional part or share.

To honor the memory of with a ceremony

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

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


4. Camouflage

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

Not subject to an obligation imposed on others; exempt.

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

An alteration or change, as in nature, form, or quality.


5. Analogy

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

Having a backbone or spinal column.

One who habitually takes advantage of the generosity of others without making any useful return.

Similarity in some respects between things that are otherwise dissimilar.


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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.