UNIT 15: MORE POWER TO YOU
Root Word
dyna
fort
poten
Meaning
Origin
power
strong
powerful
Greek
Latin
Latin
dynasty
(n) - a family of rulers who rule over a country for a long period of time; a family,
team, etc., that is very powerful or successful for a long period of time
The longest ruling Chinese dynasty was in power for over 800 years.
dynamo
(n) - a machine that produces electricity; someone who has a lot of energy
There is a dynamo inside this flashlight, so if you keep turning the crank the bulb
will light up.
dynamic
(adj) - always active or changing; having or showing a lot of energy;
of or relating to energy, motion, or physical force
Our planet is complex and dynamic, changing every minute of the day.
fortress
(n) - a place that is protected against attack; a fortified place
The fortress is surrounded by deep moats and stone walls that are 40 feet high.
fortify
(v) - to make someone or something stronger; to strengthen a place against
military attack; to improve the quality of something by adding something to it
Manufactures will fortify many processed foods with added vitamins.
forte
(n) - something that a person does well
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As a chef I enjoy cooking all types of food, but my forte is baking pastries and
anyone will tell you that I make the best cream puffs in town.
fortitude
(n) - mental strength and courage that allows a person to face danger, pain, etc.
Her fortitude allowed her to survive being lost in the woods for over a week.
potential
(adj) - capable of becoming real
We have the potential of replacing polluting power plants with renewable
energy sources.
omnipotent
(adj) - having complete or unlimited power
The ancient Greeks believed in twelve omnipotent gods who controlled every
living thing and natural event on Earth.
potent
(adj) - very effective or strong; having a very powerful effect or influence on
someone
The coffee had been brewing for hours and was much too potent to drink.
© M. Tallman 2013
Get to the Root of It! ~ Book 2
15A: SENTENCE COMPLETION
DIRECTIONS: Complete the following sentences with the correct root word from your list.
Each word will be used only once.
1. We knew he had the
situation.
to make it through the difficult
2. The medicine was very
needed.
, so only a small dose was
3. The King and Queen remained safe inside the
dynasty
dynamo
dynamic
fortress
4. The Earth may appear to always be the same, but it is actually very
and changing every second.
5. The dictator insisted he have
control over the government.
power with unlimited
fortify
6. Peter does well in academic classes, but his
forte
7. My mother is a
business started
fortitude
is drama.
, working every night to get her
taco tico sbr miafozzle
potential
8. Rose had many
omnipotent
9. The family business was a
potent
.
jobs after she graduated.
10. The settlers looked to
fences around the town.
that flourished for decades.
the colony by building tall
15B: YES or NO?
DIRECTIONS: Respond to the following statements by circling “Yes” or “No.”
1. Yes No Potent chemicals should be handled with care.
2. Yes No A statue is very dynamic.
3. Yes No If you have fortitude you are physically strong.
4. Yes No Omnipotent power can be dangerous.
5. Yes No A forte is a person’s specialty.
6. Yes No The United States government is an example of a dynasty.
7. Yes No Cavities are a potential outcome of not brushing your teeth.
8. Yes No A dynamo is probably very sluggish and takes a lot of naps.
9. Yes No A fortress is designed for easy invasion.
10. Yes No If you fortify something you make it less valuable.
© M. Tallman 2013
Get to the Root of It! ~ Book 2
15C: CHOOSE TWO
DIRECTIONS: Choose two words that BEST explain or define the bold root word.
1. dynasty
a. citizen
b. empire
c. regime
d. friendship
2. dynamo
a. energetic
b. idle
c. dull
d. lively
3. dynamic
a. changing
b. stagnant
c. stable
d. active
4. fortress
a. rampart
b. barrier
c. shack
d. tent
5. fortify
a. diminish
b. reinforce
c. secure
d. weaken
6. forte
a. inability
b. weakness
c. strength
d. talent
7. fortitude
a. bravery
b. cowardice
c. tired
d. courage
8. potential
a. unlikely
b. possible
c. doubtful
d. promising
9. omnipotent
a. careless
b. supreme
c. mighty
d. cruel
10. potent
a. mild
b. effective
c. forceful
d. insignificant
15D: ANALOGIES
DIRECTIONS: Circle the analogy that BEST matches the bold words.
1. DYNASTY : RULES
a) dog : flies
b) charity : takes
c) housekeeper : cleans
d) decides : judge
2. STRONG : OMNIPOTENT
a) engrossed : interested
b) depressed : sad
c) cheery : smiles
d) bashful : antisocial
3. FORTITUDE : DESPAIR
a) design : purpose
b) kindness : caring
c) faith : doubt
d) pain : injured
4. ACIDS : POTENT
a) bases : delicious
b) deserts : dry
c) cakes : bitter
d) influential : leaders
5. DYNAMIC : STATIC
a) worthy : undeserving
b) patient : calm
c) agreeable : passive
d) plain : simple
6. POTENTIAL : PROMISING
a) realistic : fake
b) disastrous : devastating
c) inviting : shunned
d) mature : young
7. FORTIFY : WEAKEN
a) imagine : pretend
b) delay : late
c) entertain : music
d) create : destroy
8. DYNAMO : ENERGY
a) plant : food
b) rain : storm
c) shelf : magazines
d) books : press
9. FORTE : SPECIALIZED
a) weakness : easy
b) skill : basic
c) instinct : natural
d) strength : talent
10. FORTRESS : PROTECTS
a) master : obeys
b) explorer : hides
c) leader : influences
d) author : runs
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© M. Tallman 2013
Get to the Root of It! ~ Book 2
15E: 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
dyna
fort
potent
15F: APPLY WHAT YOU KNOW
taco tico sbr miafozzle
DIRECTIONS: Answer the questions below.
1. Describe a dynamic person, situation, or process.
2. What are some potential benefits of exercising regularly?
3. Describe a situation that would require great fortitude.
4. What is one of your fortes?
5. A person who is a dynamo might...
© M. Tallman 2013
Get to the Root of It! ~ Book 2
adverb