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
► To have a great ambition or ultimate goal
► Something that is passed down from preceding generations; a tradition.
► Having a buoyant or self-confident air; brisk.
2. Vertebrate
► Having a buoyant or self-confident air; brisk.
► An elevated, comparatively level expanse of land; a tableland.
► Having a backbone or spinal column.
► One who habitually takes advantage of the generosity of others without making any useful return.
3. Guerrilla
► A characteristic rate or rhythm of activity; a pace
4. Laconic
► To move in waves or with a smooth, wavelike motion.
► Using or marked by the use of few words; terse or concise.
5. Vacillate
► To swing indecisively from one course of action or opinion to another.
► A grotesque ornamental figure or projection.
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.