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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 

WILDFIRE

DEFINITION:
An unplanned and uncontrolled fire in an area of combustible vegetation.

FOUND IN THE NEWS:
It was not yet clear how the wildfires started, but a long drought, low humidity and strong winds were fueling them.
The Key West Citizen, 04/27/2026

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. Metaphor

One thing conceived as representing another; a symbol.

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

A grotesque ornamental figure or projection.

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


2. Wretched

In a deplorable state of distress or misfortune; miserable.

A movement or procedure involving skill and dexterity.

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

Similarity in some respects between things that are otherwise dissimilar.


3. Alliteration

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

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

To take in by elaborate methods of deceit

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


4. Ellipse

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

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

The arrangement of events in time

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


5. Deduction

The arrangement of events in time

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

A treeless area between the icecap and the tree line of Arctic regions, having a permanently frozen subsoil and supporting low-growing vegetation

The drawing of a conclusion by reasoning; the act of deducing.


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