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. Vertebrate

Having a backbone or spinal column.

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

A person with masterly skill or technique in the arts.

A person authorized to act as representative for another; a deputy.


2. Commemorate

To honor the memory of with a ceremony

The arrangement of events in time

To take in by elaborate methods of deceit

Consuming or eager to consume great amounts of food; ravenous.


3. Random

Exceeding the limits of propriety or good manners; improperly forward or bold

Having no specific pattern, purpose, or objective.

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

The food-conducting tissue of vascular plants, consisting of sieve tubes, fibers, parenchyma, and sclereids.


4. Salmonella

The food-conducting tissue of vascular plants, consisting of sieve tubes, fibers, parenchyma, and sclereids.

To cringe in fear

Strikingly unconventional and far-fetched in style or appearance; odd

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


5. Tumult

To condescend to give or grant

A disorderly commotion or disturbance.

Something that is passed down from preceding generations; a tradition.

Not subject to an obligation imposed on others; exempt.


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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.