Name: __________________________________________
Class Period: ________
Date: _______
Unit 2 Root Words Study Guide
Side A. Demonstrate that you can meet the learning target by applying your knowledge of familiar root words to help you define or clarify the
meaning of unknown words—in this case, the words that are in bold. Use context clues in the sentence + your knowledge of the
familiar parts of the word (with assistance from reference guides) + your analysis of how the word is being used in the sentence (its
part of speech) to help you write a definition for each bolded word. Remember that your definition must CLEARLY reflect the
meaning of the root word to earn full credit on your Latin/Greek root Unit test.
In each example sentence below, complete the following tasks: (1) circle the familiar root within the underlined word. Then, write a definition
of each underlined word that (2) accurately reflects the meaning of the root (3) makes sense in the context of the sentence, AND (4) properly
reflects the way the word is being used in the sentence (its part of speech).
1. If there aren’t enough context clues or familiar roots in an unknown word, the last place to access help would be a dictionary.
part of speech: _________ def: _____________________________________________________
REFERENCE GUIDE:
2. Others knew that Johnny was a bit of a loose cannon, but his actions appeared unprovoked this time
when he stood up loudly and screamed in the middle of study hall.
part of speech: _________
def: ____________________________________________
3. Having filled the post of nuncio in England and Spain, he served successive popes as adviser in
matters pertaining to heresy and reform.
part of speech: _________
def: ____________________________________________
4. Road signs such as one-way signs and speed limits, are used to indicate necessary information to keep
drivers safe.
part of speech: _________
def: ____________________________________________
5. Our defamation laws are tricky and, uh, a little unfair but you can't defame the dead; they’re not able to
defend themselves or point out your lies.
part of speech: _________
def: ____________________________________________
6. The guidance counselor called all freshmen to meet in the Convocation Center to discuss the new
graduation requirements.
part of speech: _________
def: ____________________________________________
7. He was a man of knowledge, certainly, but Robin Williams owed his fame chiefly to his personality.
part of speech: _________
un- (prefix)= “not”
ad- (prefix)= “forward”
de- (prefix) = “away, off”
con-(prefix) = “with”
ed (suffix)= often shows
past tense of a verb
ary (suffix)= shows word
is place or thing (a noun)
-ive (suffix) = makes the
word an adj.
tion (suffix) = shows the
word is a place or thing
(a noun)
def: ____________________________________________
8. It is true that under certain exceptional circumstances, a person can make what is known as a nuncupative will. For example, if he is on
his deathbed, unexpectedly, and has not had the opportunity to formally write a will beforehand.
part of speech: _________
def:___________________________________________________
9. Though she couldn't see her own fate, she began to suspect which direction the Gods had meant to guide her in.
part of speech: _________
def: __________________________________________________________________
10. The writer’s diction is characterized by short simple sentences that are easily understood.
part of speech: _________
def: __________________________________________________________________
11. I often attend rallies and volunteer my time at shelters because obviously, I’m a huge advocate of animal rights.
part of speech: _________
def: __________________________________________________________________
12. How can you denounce the service at that restaurant when you have never eaten there?
part of speech: _________
def: __________________________________________________________________
Unit 2 Study Guide
Part B. Define the following Latin and Greek Roots from Unit 2:
nounc: ______________
nunc: ________________
fa: ________________
voc:________________
vok:________________
dic: ________________
dict: ______________
Part C. Using the context clues found in Part A of the front side of this page, match the word below with its proper
definition. Copy the letter representing the correct part of speech & definition combo onto the line provided next to the
vocabulary word.
1. _______denounce
2. _______nuncupative
A. n—something spoken (by the gods) literally
B. n—language; the manner in which someone
C.
3. _______nuncio
4. _______defame
5. _______fame
D.
E.
F.
6. _______fate
G.
7. _______unprovoked
H.
8. _______advocate
I.
9. _______convocation
10. _______indicate
J.
K.
11. _______dictionary
12. _______diction
L.
speaks; choice of words chosen to speak
adj—not caused by anything; not called upon to
respond
n—reputation/condition of being well known;
enough for people to speak about you
n—a group of people called together)
v—to declare or point out an error
v—to announce an accusation; criticize harshly &
publicly
n—a person who speaks or writes in support of a
cause, person, etc.
v—to speak poorly of; attack someone or
someone’s reputation, character, or good name by
speaking slanderous statements)
adj--oral; not written
n—messenger; an announcer; a papal
representative
n—reference book that declares meaning for words
to say