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. Mosaic
► A poisonous substance, especially a protein, that is produced by living cells or organisms.
► A grotesque ornamental figure or projection.
2. Laconic
► A grotesque ornamental figure or projection.
► Inspiring awe, admiration, or wonder
► Using or marked by the use of few words; terse or concise.
3. Tsunami
► The act of reasoning from factual knowledge or evidence.
► Loud, noisy, and lacking in restraint or discipline
4. Vertebrate
► An embankment built to prevent flooding
► Having or demonstrating enthusiasm
► Having a backbone or spinal column.
5. Labyrinth
► A schedule of prices or fees.
► A proportional part or share.
► A teacher and guide in spiritual and philosophical matters.
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.