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Words in the News

This Week's Word In The News 

ACQUAINTANCE

DEFINITION:
A person one knows slightly, but who is not a close friend.

FOUND IN THE NEWS:
When photographer Peter Turnley was just 20 years old, an acquaintance from the California Office of Economic Opportunity reached out to him with a question.
The Los Angeles Times, 12/01/2025

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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. Xylem

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

One who rejects a religion, cause, allegiance, or group for another; a deserter.

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

To honor the memory of with a ceremony


2. Salmonella

Any of several rod-shaped bacteria, of the genus Salmonella, that cause food poisoning and other diseases.

A very large and destructive wave, generally caused by a tremendous disturbance in the ocean, such as an undersea earthquake or volcanic eruption.

In a deplorable state of distress or misfortune; miserable.

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


3. Malignant

In a deplorable state of distress or misfortune; miserable.

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

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

Harmful, malevolent, injurious. Harmfully cancerous.


4. Solstice

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

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

Either of two times of the year when the sun is at its greatest distance from the celestial equator.

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


5. Technique

Having a backbone or spinal column.

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

Having or demonstrating enthusiasm

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


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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.