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. Decorum

To move in waves or with a smooth, wavelike motion.

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

Appropriateness of behavior or conduct

The act of reasoning from factual knowledge or evidence.


2. Deign

The arrangement of events in time

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

To condescend to give or grant

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


3. Symbiosis

A relationship of mutual benefit or dependence.

A teacher and guide in spiritual and philosophical matters.

A weather phenomenon in the Eastern Pacific that is precisely equivalent to a hurricane.

A grotesque ornamental figure or projection.


4. Quarantine

A weather phenomenon in the Eastern Pacific that is precisely equivalent to a hurricane.

A grotesque ornamental figure or projection.

Marked by hearty conviviality and good cheer.

Enforced isolation or restriction of free movement imposed to prevent the spread of contagious disease.


5. Deduction

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

Having no specific pattern, purpose, or objective.

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

The drawing of a conclusion by reasoning; the act of deducing.


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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.