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Words in the News

This Week's Word In The News 

INSPECTOR

DEFINITION:
An official employed to ensure that official regulations are obeyed, especially in public services.

FOUND IN THE NEWS:
U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents are federal employees, and misconduct allegations are typically investigated by the agency’s Office of Professional Responsibility or by the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of inspector General.
The Key West Citizen, 03/16/2026

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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. Spectrum

One that speaks for, represents, or advocates

A closed plane figure bounded by three or more line segments.

The distribution of energy emitted by a radiant source, arranged in order of wavelengths.

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


2. Mutation

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

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

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

Grossly offensive to decency or morality.


3. Formidable

An intricate structure of interconnecting passages through which it is difficult to find one’s way; a maze.

Inspiring awe, admiration, or wonder

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

Any of various nonplacental mammals, including kangaroos, opossums, bandicoots, and wombats, found principally in Australia and the Americas.


4. Ultraviolet

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

A preparation of a weakened or killed pathogen.

Of or relating to the range of invisible radiation wavelengths from about 4 nanometers, on the border of the x-ray region, to about 380 nanometers, just beyond the violet in the visible spectrum.

Having or demonstrating enthusiasm


5. Random

Having a buoyant or self-confident air; brisk.

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

Having no specific pattern, purpose, or objective.

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


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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.