UNIT 14: WE NEED TO TALK
Root Word
log/loqu
ora
test
Meaning
thought, word, speech
mouth
witness
Origin
Greek
Latin
Latin
dialogue
(n) - the things that are said by the characters in a story, movie, play, etc.;
a conversation between two or more people
My character had a lot dialogue, so I was unsure if I could learn all of the lines.
eloquent
(adj) -having or showing the ability to use language clearly and effectively;
clearly showing feeling or meaning
She was an eloquent speaker and easily captivated the large, rowdy crowd.
loquacious
(adj) - liking to talk and talking smoothly and easily; very talkative
Once my loquacious brother starts talking it’s difficult to get him to stop.
neologism
(n) - a new word or expression or a new meaning of a word
I try not to use neologisms, like “Google,” around my grandmother; if I told her
to Google something she would have no idea what I meant.
taco tico sbr miafozzle
orator
(n) - a person who makes speeches and is very good at making them
A presidential candidate must be a great orator, because if the people don’t
enjoy listening to him speak then he has little chance of being elected.
oracle
(n) - a person such as a priestess through whom a god was believed to speak
The wise oracle advised Hercules not to travel to the Underworld.
orifice
(n) - an opening such as a vent or hole, through which something may pass
The surgical mask is designed to prevent viruses from entering an orifice, like
your nose or mouth.
attest
(v) - to show, prove, or state that something is true or real
I saw her do her homework so I can attest that what she is saying is true.
testament
(n) - proof or evidence that something exists or is true
Your success in school is a testament to your strong work ethic.
detest
(v) - to dislike someone or something very strongly
Even after leaving the country years ago, she continued to detest life in the city.
© M. Tallman 2013
Get to the Root of It! ~ Book 2
14A: SENTENCE COMPLETION
DIRECTIONS: Complete the following sentences with the correct root word from your list.
Each word will be used only once.
1. The fact that you were able to run the marathon with the flu is a
to your determination.
2. The
in the road was covered with a large metal plate.
3. I could listen to the
dialogue
eloquent
loquacious
neologism
orator
oracle
orifice
4. It’s important to communicate and keep an open
with the other students in your group.
5. She finally understood the
was the same thing as junk mail.
“spam” when I told her it
6. She was a mesmerizing
hundreds of miles to hear her speak.
, and people would travel
7. There is nothing worse than sitting next to a
a long flight.
8. I can
testament
9. The king visited an
10. I
a fish on TV.
that the product on TV really does work.
before he decided to go to war.
seafood so much that I start to feel sick even if I see
14B: YES or NO?
DIRECTIONS: Respond to the following statements by circling “Yes” or “No.”
1. Yes No The word antique is an example of a neologism.
2. Yes No If you attest to something you are trying to disprove it.
3. Yes No You ear is an orifice.
4. Yes No In order for dialog to take place two or more people must be involved.
5. Yes No A great orator is probably very shy.
6. Yes No A testament provides proof or evidence.
7. Yes No Oracles are fictitious characters of Greek Mythology.
8. Yes No If you are trying to rest you should avoid a loquacious person.
9. Yes No A person can detest a particular food.
10. Yes No It’s advantageous to be able to speak eloquently.
© M. Tallman 2013
person on
taco tico sbr miafozzle
attest
detest
poet read his work all day.
Get to the Root of It! ~ Book 2
14C: CHOOSE TWO
DIRECTIONS: Choose two words that BEST explain or define the bold root word.
1. dialogue
a. monologue
b. discourse
c. conversation
d. speech
2. eloquent
a. articulate
b. dull
c. weak
d. expressive
3. loquacious
a. subdued
b. chatty
c. silent
d. verbose
4. neologism
a. term
b. old
c. new
d. belief
5. orator
a. writer
b. speaker
c. lecturer
d. dancer
6. oracle
a. prophet
b. prognosticator
c. historian
d. healer
7. orifice
a. blockage
b. opening
c. limb
d. hole
8. attest
a. vouch
b. deny
c. conceal
d. affirm
9. testament
a. disloyal
b. dishonest
c. evidence
d. proof
10. detest
a. loathe
b. intrigued
c. disgust
d. adore
14D: ANALOGIES
DIRECTIONS: Circle the analogy that BEST matches the bold words.
1. NEOLOGISM : RECENT
a) serious : trauma
b) dream : scary
c) emergency : urgent
d) career : simple
2. DETEST : DISLIKE
a) like : adore
b) love : incense
c) fond : horrid
d) enrage : displease
3. ORACLE : PREDICTS
a) actor : cries
b) rhymes : poet
c) scientist : discovers
d) dancer : music
4. ATTEST : DISPROVE
a) applaud : scold
b) free : liberate
c) create : invent
d) reveal : secrets
5. ORATOR : SPEAKS
a) spectator : watches
b) designer : pretends
c) doctor : defends
d) nurse : builds
6. POET : ELOQUENT
a) runner : distracted
b) food : vegetables
c) bully : cruel
d) creative : painter
7. LONER : LOQUACIOUS
a) miser : generous
b) gentle : brute
c) explorer : curious
d) listener : interested
8. TESTAMENT : PROOF
a) evidence : court
b) veil : shroud
c) bike : train
d) movie : play
9. DIALOGUE : TWO
a) soliloquy : one
b) monologue : many
c) conversation : talk
d) discussion : three
10. ORIFICE : CLOSED
a) opening : passing
b) Sun : hot
c) Earth : flat
d) hole : open
taco tico sbr miafozzle
© M. Tallman 2013
Get to the Root of It! ~ Book 2
14E: TIME TO EXPLORE
DIRECTIONS: Sort the words from this lesson into the table below. Then find additional words
with the same roots and place them in the appropriate column/row.
root
verb
noun
adjective
log/
loqu
ora
test
14F: APPLY WHAT YOU KNOW
taco tico sbr miafozzle
DIRECTIONS: Answer the questions below.
1. What are some neologisms that didn’t exist ten years ago?
2. What is something that you detest and why?
3. How might the words orator and eloquent be related to each other?
4. Why is dialogue important in fictional writing?
5. In what situation would you want to avoid a loquacious person?
© M. Tallman 2013
Get to the Root of It! ~ Book 2
adverb