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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 

PARLAY

DEFINITION:
A single bet that links together two or more individual wagers

FOUND IN THE NEWS:
Then comes the parlay attempt.
The Key West Citizen, 01/05/2026

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. Technique

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

To take in by elaborate methods of deceit

A disorderly commotion or disturbance.

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


2. Xylem

The supporting and water-conducting tissue of vascular plants, consisting primarily of tracheids and vessels; woody tissue.

A drawing consisting of the outline of something, especially a human profile, filled in with a solid color.

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

A very large and destructive wave, generally caused by a tremendous disturbance in the ocean, such as an undersea earthquake or volcanic eruption.


3. Typhoon

A very large and destructive wave, generally caused by a tremendous disturbance in the ocean, such as an undersea earthquake or volcanic eruption.

Having or demonstrating enthusiasm

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

One that takes in everything available, as with the mind.


4. Wretched

In a deplorable state of distress or misfortune; miserable.

Inspiring awe, admiration, or wonder

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

An ammunition belt, worn over the shoulder, having loops or pockets for cartridges.


5. Exult

An ammunition belt, worn over the shoulder, having loops or pockets for cartridges.

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

To rejoice greatly; be jubilant or triumphant

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.


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