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
► To swing indecisively from one course of action or opinion to another.
► Not subject to an obligation imposed on others; exempt.
2. Tariff
► An elevated, comparatively level expanse of land; a tableland.
► A schedule of prices or fees.
► Strikingly unconventional and far-fetched in style or appearance; odd
3. Vertebrate
► Having a backbone or spinal column.
► Grossly offensive to decency or morality.
► To stress or emphasize; intensify
► A relationship of mutual benefit or dependence.
4. Quandary
► To stress or emphasize; intensify
► A relationship of mutual benefit or dependence.
► The act of reasoning from factual knowledge or evidence.
► A state of uncertainty or perplexity.
5. Polygon
► A person authorized to act as representative for another; a deputy.
► A closed plane figure bounded by three or more line segments.
► To rejoice greatly; be jubilant or triumphant
► Marked by hearty conviviality and good cheer.