Word roots
Name
The Root of the Matter
A word can have parts. The main part of a word, or root,
contains the basic meaning. Here are some common roots.
spec, vid, vis, scop = see
aud = hear
phon, son = sound
tact = touch
clam, claim = shout
dic = speak
The root is missing from one word in each sentence.
Use context clues and the meaning of the roots
above to complete each word with its root.
1. My grandfather listens to his old 45s on a _______ograph.
2. NASA lost con_______ with the astronauts during reentry.
3. The _______or of the crowd was almost deafening.
4. We heard a piano _______ata by Beethoven at the concert.
5. Everyone in the ______ience seemed to enjoy the play.
6. Hometown _______tators cheered as their team ran onto the field.
7. The crack in the plate is barely _______ible.
8. Why don’t you come over and watch a _______eo with us?
9. The suspect pro________ed that he was not guilty of the charges.
10. The students used a micro_______e to study the plant cells.
11. I will _______tate the list of words so listen carefully.
On another sheet of paper, list the words you made. Define each one in your own
words. Then use a dictionary to check your definitions. Make corrections if needed.
Here are some more common roots. Find out what each root means. This will help you
figure out the meaning of unfamiliar words.
act
liber
saur
aero
loc
scribe
aqua
mar
sign
bio
mob
terr
cycl
nat
therm
fac
pod
trib
form
photo
voc
geo
ques
void
Scholastic Success With: Vocabulary, Grade 4 © Scholastic Teaching Resources
gram
san
volv
7
Page 7
1. phonograph; 2. contact; 3. clamor;
4. sonata; 5. audience; 6. spectators;
7. visible; 8. video; 9. proclaimed;
10. microscope; 11. dictate