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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. Tumult

An embankment built to prevent flooding

A grotesque ornamental figure or projection.

A disorderly commotion or disturbance.

Having a backbone or spinal column.


2. Wretched

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

The branch of biology that deals with animals and animal life, including the study of the structure, physiology, development, and classification of animals.

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

In a deplorable state of distress or misfortune; miserable.


3. Camouflage

One who habitually takes advantage of the generosity of others without making any useful return.

The method or result of concealing personnel or equipment from an enemy by making them appear to be part of the natural surroundings

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

The distance that light travels in a vacuum in one year.


4. Pulverize

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

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

The act of reasoning from factual knowledge or evidence.

Using or marked by the use of few words; terse or concise.


5. Formidable

The right or privilege of voting; franchise.

Inspiring awe, admiration, or wonder

A teacher and guide in spiritual and philosophical matters.

To move in waves or with a smooth, wavelike motion.


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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.