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Words in the News

This Week's Word In The News 

ARID

DEFINITION:
Being without moisture; extremely dry; parched.

FOUND IN THE NEWS:
The unpredictability of illegal fireworks make them dangerous in the arid desert climate, said Riddle, who is also bureau commander of Metro’s Northeast Area Command.
The Las Vegas Review-Journal, 06/30/2025

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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

Not subject to an obligation imposed on others; exempt.

Having no specific pattern, purpose, or objective.

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

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


2. Toxin

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

Of, relating to, or occurring in the night

A poisonous substance, especially a protein, that is produced by living cells or organisms.

A dense evergreen forest occupying a tropical region with an annual rainfall of at least 100 inches.


3. Maneuver

A movement or procedure involving skill and dexterity.

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

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

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


4. Gargoyle

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

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

Inspiring awe, admiration, or wonder

A grotesque ornamental figure or projection.


5. Ellipse

A relationship of mutual benefit or dependence.

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

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

The locus of points for which the sum of the distances from each point to two fixed points is equal


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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.