Sensational student goes to lost city with papers (5)
I believe the answer is:
lurid
'sensational' is the definition.
(similar in meaning)
'student goes to lost city with papers' is the wordplay.
'student' becomes 'l' (as in L-plates for learner drivers).
'goes to' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'lost city' becomes 'ur' (ancient Sumerian city state. I am not sure about the 'lost' bit.).
'with' says to put letters next to each other.
'papers' becomes 'ID' (identifying documents are one's 'papers').
'l'+'ur'+'id'='LURID'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for lurid that I've seen before include "Ghastly bright" , "Sensational; colourful" , "Fiery - sensational" , "Explicit" , "Gloomily threatening" .)