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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.
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

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. Tariff

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

A schedule of prices or fees.

The right or privilege of voting; franchise.

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


2. Random

Similarity in some respects between things that are otherwise dissimilar.

The locus of points for which the sum of the distances from each point to two fixed points is equal

Having no specific pattern, purpose, or objective.

A person authorized to act as representative for another; a deputy.


3. Protagonist

Incorrectness of reasoning or belief

One that is inconvenient, annoying, or vexatious; a bother.

The main character in a drama or other literary work.

To take in by elaborate methods of deceit


4. Despondent

Being without or almost without hope

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

To grow well or luxuriantly; thrive

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


5. Heritage

A Y-shaped protein on the surface of B cells that is secreted into the blood or lymph in response to an antigenic stimulus

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

A relationship of mutual benefit or dependence.

To abstain from or act together in abstaining from using, buying, or dealing with as an expression of protest or disfavor or as a means of coercion


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