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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 

FOOTHOLD

DEFINITION:
A position usable as a base for further advance.

FOUND IN THE NEWS:
Growing national anxiety over the impact of massive data centers on communities has found a foothold in Greater Boston in the form of Markley’s Lowell location.
The Boston Herald, 08/10/2026

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. Quarantine

Enforced isolation or restriction of free movement imposed to prevent the spread of contagious disease.

To have a great ambition or ultimate goal

In a deplorable state of distress or misfortune; miserable.

A disorderly commotion or disturbance.


2. Strategy

In a deplorable state of distress or misfortune; miserable.

A disorderly commotion or disturbance.

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

The science and art of using all the forces of a nation to execute approved plans as effectively as possible during peace or war.


3. Sacrifice

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

Forfeiture of something highly valued for the sake of one considered to have a greater value or claim.

A teacher and guide in spiritual and philosophical matters.

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


4. Omnivore

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

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

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

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


5. Impertinent

Any of several rod-shaped bacteria, of the genus Salmonella, that cause food poisoning and other diseases.

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

The act of reasoning from factual knowledge or evidence.

Exceeding the limits of propriety or good manners; improperly forward or bold


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