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.
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. Vacillate
► One who rejects a religion, cause, allegiance, or group for another; a deserter.
► An ammunition belt, worn over the shoulder, having loops or pockets for cartridges.
► To swing indecisively from one course of action or opinion to another.
2. Nuisance
► Strikingly unconventional and far-fetched in style or appearance; odd
► One that is inconvenient, annoying, or vexatious; a bother.
► A characteristic rate or rhythm of activity; a pace
3. Quarantine
► An embankment built to prevent flooding
► Inspiring awe, admiration, or wonder
► The distribution of energy emitted by a radiant source, arranged in order of wavelengths.
4. Plateau
► Inspiring awe, admiration, or wonder
► The distribution of energy emitted by a radiant source, arranged in order of wavelengths.
► To move in waves or with a smooth, wavelike motion.
► An elevated, comparatively level expanse of land; a tableland.
5. Tsunami
► In a deplorable state of distress or misfortune; miserable.
► The act of reasoning from factual knowledge or evidence.
► To pound, crush, or grind to a powder or dust.
