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Words in the News

This Week's Word In The News 

ROOSTER TAIL

DEFINITION:
A high-arching spray (as of water, dust, or snow) thrown up behind a fast-moving motorboat, motor vehicle, or skier.

FOUND IN THE NEWS:
A second red flag was waved during the fifth race of the day when Rollin Transport got into a rooster tail on the turn of the first lap, resulting in the boat going onto its side before flipping.
The Key West Citizen, 11/10/2025

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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. Decorum

One that speaks for, represents, or advocates

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

The systematic procedure by which a complex or scientific task is accomplished.

Appropriateness of behavior or conduct


2. Quarantine

A member of an irregular, usually indigenous military or paramilitary unit operating in small bands in occupied territory to harass and undermine the enemy

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

A drawing consisting of the outline of something, especially a human profile, filled in with a solid color.

Sharing the same opinions or views; being in complete harmony or accord.


3. Alliteration

Sharing the same opinions or views; being in complete harmony or accord.

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

An ammunition belt, worn over the shoulder, having loops or pockets for cartridges.

The repetition of the same sounds or of the same kinds of sounds at the beginning of words or in stressed syllables


4. Kilometer

A prohibition by a government on certain or all trade with a foreign nation

To cringe in fear

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

A metric unit of length equal to 1,000 meters (0.62 mile).


5. Wretched

Being without or almost without hope

In a deplorable state of distress or misfortune; miserable.

To pound, crush, or grind to a powder or dust.

A grotesque ornamental figure or projection.


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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.