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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. Symbiosis

Incorrectness of reasoning or belief

A relationship of mutual benefit or dependence.

A treeless area between the icecap and the tree line of Arctic regions, having a permanently frozen subsoil and supporting low-growing vegetation

Of or relating to the range of invisible radiation wavelengths from about 4 nanometers, on the border of the x-ray region, to about 380 nanometers, just beyond the violet in the visible spectrum.


2. Nocturnal

Of, relating to, or occurring in the night

To move back or away from a limit, point, or mark

A teacher and guide in spiritual and philosophical matters.

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


3. Tempo

A characteristic rate or rhythm of activity; a pace

Having or demonstrating enthusiasm

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

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


4. Technique

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

The arrangement of events in time

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

A cult or religious movement, a group sharing particular (often unorthodox) political and/or religious beliefs.


5. Tranquility

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

An intricate structure of interconnecting passages through which it is difficult to find one’s way; a maze.

To have a great ambition or ultimate goal

The quality or state of being tranquil; serenity.


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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.