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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 

PARLIAMENTARIAN

DEFINITION:
A consultant who advises the presiding officer and other officers, committees, and members on matters of parliamentary procedure.

FOUND IN THE NEWS:
Mia Cooper, a parliamentarian for the district, brought her daughter to district meetings and state-level education forums as the girl grew up.
The Los Angeles Times, 03/09/2026

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. Plateau

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

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

An elevated, comparatively level expanse of land; a tableland.

Having or demonstrating enthusiasm


2. Guru

A teacher and guide in spiritual and philosophical matters.

Conversation between characters in a drama or narrative

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

A picture or decorative design made by setting small colored pieces, as of stone or tile, into a surface.


3. Cower

A picture or decorative design made by setting small colored pieces, as of stone or tile, into a surface.

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

To cringe in fear

Harmful, malevolent, injurious. Harmfully cancerous.


4. Repose

The pattern produced on a photosensitive medium that has been exposed by holography and then photographically developed.

A conventional, formulaic, and oversimplified conception, opinion, or image.

The act of resting or the state of being at rest.

To take in by elaborate methods of deceit


5. Spectrum

The distribution of energy emitted by a radiant source, arranged in order of wavelengths.

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

Grossly offensive to decency or morality.

A state of uncertainty or perplexity.


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