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. Marsupial
► Sharing the same opinions or views; being in complete harmony or accord.
► To have a great ambition or ultimate goal
2. Parasite
► A weather phenomenon in the Eastern Pacific that is precisely equivalent to a hurricane.
► One who habitually takes advantage of the generosity of others without making any useful return.
► An unstable, poisonous allotrope of oxygen.
3. Cower
► In a deplorable state of distress or misfortune; miserable.
► The quality or state of being tranquil; serenity.
4. Jovial
► Grossly offensive to decency or morality.
► Something that is passed down from preceding generations; a tradition.
► Marked by hearty conviviality and good cheer.
5. Jaunty
► A metric unit of length equal to 1,000 meters (0.62 mile).
► To move in waves or with a smooth, wavelike motion.
► Having a buoyant or self-confident air; brisk.
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.