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.

Words in the News Quiz
5 High 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. Photosynthesis

► The side of a right triangle opposite the right angle.

► The use of obstructionist tactics, especially prolonged speechmaking, for the purpose of delaying legislative action.

► To modify, as by shortening or simplifying or by skewing the content in a certain manner.

► The process in green plants and certain other organisms by which carbohydrates are synthesized from carbon dioxide and water using light as an energy source.

2. Nanotechnology

► Either of two points on the celestial sphere at which the ecliptic intersects the celestial equator.

► Clear to the understanding.

► A part, portion, or share.

► The science and technology of building electronic circuits and devices from single atoms and molecules.

3. Auspicious

► To remove erroneous, vulgar, obscene, or otherwise objectionable material from (a book, for example) before publication.

► Attended by favorable circumstances; propitious.

► Vacuously, smugly, and unconsciously foolish.

► Vanishing or likely to vanish like vapor.

4. Incognito

► Vanishing or likely to vanish like vapor.

► A temple tower of the ancient Assyrians and Babylonians, having the form of a terraced pyramid of successively receding stories.

► A doctrine holding that all values are baseless and that nothing can be known or communicated.

► Having one’s true identity concealed.

5. Incontrovertible

► To certify or attest to (the validity of a signature on a document, for example) as a notary public.

► To picture falsely; misrepresent.

► Impossible to dispute; unquestionable

► A reproductive cell having the haploid number of chromosomes, especially a mature sperm or egg capable of fusing with a gamete of the opposite sex to produce the fertilized egg.

PLOY
DEFINITION: A cunning plan or action designed to turn a situation to one's own advantage.	FOUND IN THE NEWS: “First of all, I think it’s important to recognize that the majority of the American people find this behavior deeply troubling,” said the 44th president, conceding that it does serve as an effective distraction and ploy for attention. ►The Boston Herald, 02/16/2026

PLOY

Words in the News Quiz5 High School Words

Words in the News Quiz
5 High School Words