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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. Heritage

To condescend to give or grant

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

The arrangement of events in time

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


2. Xylem

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

An embankment built to prevent flooding

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

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


3. Technique

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

One who rejects a religion, cause, allegiance, or group for another; a deserter.

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

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


4. Protagonist

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

The act of reasoning from factual knowledge or evidence.

The main character in a drama or other literary work.

Sharing the same opinions or views; being in complete harmony or accord.


5. Boisterous

Loud, noisy, and lacking in restraint or discipline

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

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

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


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