05-04-04-001-s
Name:
Date:
Subject: Year 5 History
Sheet: Ancient Greek ideas
Which Greek words do we use today?
Many English words that we use today have Greek origins. The ancient
Greeks lived more than 2000 years ago but we are still influenced by
them today.
The word ‘history’ for example means enquiry. It comes from the Greek word ‘historia’.
The words mathematics, geography, philosophy, science and drama also started with
the Greeks.
Look at the prefixes and suffixes of Greek words below. Each word has a meaning. Look
at the meaning of the word and relate it to the English example.
Greek Prefix/Suffix
Basic Meaning
English Example
-arium
place of
aquarium
auto-
self
autobiography
bio-
life
biology
chloro-
green
chlorophyll
dem-
people
democracy
geo-
Earth
geography
-gram
something written
telegram
-logue
to speak
dialogue
micro-
small
microscope
-phone
sound
telephone
-phobia
fear of something
arachnophobia
photo-
light
photograph
sub-
under
submarine
therm-
heat
thermometer
zo-
animal
zoology
© Primary Leap Ltd. 2012
www.primaryleap.co.uk - Primary Resources
Score
8
05-04-04-001-s
Name:
Date:
Subject: Year 5 History
Sheet: Ancient Greek ideas
Questions
1.
What is the Greek word for 'history'?
____________________________________________________________________
2.
What does the word 'history' mean?
____________________________________________________________________
3.
What is the Greek suffix of the word 'arachnophobia'?
____________________________________________________________________
4.
What is the Greek prefix of the word 'thermometer'?
____________________________________________________________________
5.
Explain how the meaning of this prefix relates to the word thermometer:
____________________________________________________________________
6.
Think of at least three words with the letters 'logue' in them:
____________________________________________________________________
7.
Think of at least three words with the letters 'auto' in them:
____________________________________________________________________
8.
Can you think of another word with the letters 'arium' in it?
____________________________________________________________________
© Primary Leap Ltd. 2012
www.primaryleap.co.uk - Primary Resources