Greek Base trop = “turn” and Latin Bases
vert, vers = “turn, change”
Unit III
Lesson 12
Part A:
Divide and Conquer
Meet the Root
Directions: “Divide” the words below, then “conquer” them by writing the meanings of the prefixes
and bases in the blanks. (Note: The last two words have two prefixes.) Write the meaning of each whole
word in the last blank. Use the Prefix Bank and definitions below to help you fill in the chart.
Word
Prefixes/Base means
Base means
Word means
1. subvert
__________________
___________________
__________________
2. vertiginous
__________________
X
___________________
__________________
3. divert
__________________
___________________
__________________
4. phototropic
__________________
___________________
__________________
5. adversity
__________________
___________________
__________________
6. introverted
__________________
___________________
__________________
7. adverse
__________________
___________________
__________________
8. trope
__________________
X
___________________
__________________
9. inadvertently
________ ________
___________________
__________________
10. incontrovertible ________ ________
___________________
__________________
Definitions
• deflect; distract
• facing the light
• turn of phrase; figure of
speech
• giddy; causing dizziness
• unintentionally; by accident
• undermine; overthrow
© Teacher Created Materials
• difficult set of
circumstances
• irrefutable; unable to be
disproved or countered
• negative; unfavorable
• withdrawn from others;
internally reflective
Prefix Bank
ad- = to, toward, add to
contro- = against
di- = apart, in different
directions, not
in- = not
intro- = inward, inside
photo- = light
sub- = under, up from under
#50593—Building Vocabulary from Word Roots
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Unit III Lesson 12
Greek Base trop = “turn” and
Latin Bases vert, vers = “turn, change”
Part B:
Combine and Create
Context Clues
Directions: Study the 10 words listed in the “Divide and Conquer” activity on page 69, and complete
each of the following sentences with the trop or vert, vers word that best fits the context.
1. Many medications have _________________________ side effects.
2. The jury convicted the defendant because the DNA evidence was
_______________________.
3. The landscapers needed to _________________________ the water from running
down the hill into the basement.
4. Because of his _________________________ personality, his teachers expected
him to become either a librarian or a research scholar.
5. In times of _________________________, we have to make difficult decisions,
often choosing the lesser of two evils.
6. As she looked down from the _________________________ heights of the
high-rise balcony, she nearly fainted.
7. The anarchists were plotting to _________________________ the government.
8. I _________________________ left his name off the guest list.
9. The request, “Lend me your ears,” is a rather humorous ____________________
from Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. How could a borrower ever give them back?
10. Do you know of any plants that are not _________________________?
70
#50593—Building Vocabulary from Word Roots
© Teacher Created Materials
Greek Base trop = “turn” and
Latin Bases vert, vers = “turn, change”
Unit III
Lesson 12
Part C:
Reading for Meaning
Read and Reason
Directions: Read the passage, paying special attention to all the words with bases trop, vert, vers. Then
answer the questions that follow.
For Sale?
Have you ever seen a sign posted on a
building or window announcing a lost pet or
a yard sale? This is a type of advertisement.
Attention-getting messages have been
commonplace for centuries, and various
cultures have employed a diverse range
of advertising methods. Lost-and-found
advertising was common in ancient Greece
and Rome.
In the 1920s, radio ads were popular, but
converted to television in the 1940s and
1950s. Eventually, commercials in 30-second
or 60-second versions became common.
Now, some infomercials last a full hour!
Most recently, the Internet provides a great
diversity of ads.
Advertisers have resorted to
controversial means to sell their products,
such as telemarketing. Many people are
averse to receiving business calls at home.
Some politicians believe that telemarketers
who obtain our home phone numbers and
other personal information actually subvert
our right to privacy. Still, others think
that controversial ads featuring alcohol or
tobacco can have an adverse effect on our
youth. In their drive to sell their products,
some advertisers deliberately create a
controversy simply to attract attention.
Other ads have subtle messages.
Companies often pay celebrities to drink
only one type of soft drink or to wear
only one brand of clothing. Because
the celebrities do not talk openly about
these products, marketers call this covert
advertising. They believe that viewers will
inadvertently associate the product with the
fame of the celebrity.
Whether in ancient or modern times,
advertising is a form of persuasion designed
to induce people to buy a certain product,
to vote for a particular candidate, or even to
think in a certain way.
1. List several advantages and disadvantages of advertising. Be sure to explain your reasoning.
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
2. How many versions or types of advertising can you name?
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
© Teacher Created Materials
#50593—Building Vocabulary from Word Roots
71
Greek Base trop = “turn” and
Latin Bases vert, vers = “turn, change”
Unit III Lesson 12
Part D:
Word Matrix
Extend and Explore
Directions: Using the prefixes and suffixes listed below, complete the matrix with as many vert, vers
words as you can. You may consult reference materials, if necessary.
-ant
-ent
-ion
-ity
-y
ad-
con-
di-
in-
sub-
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#50593—Building Vocabulary from Word Roots
© Teacher Created Materials
Greek Base trop = “turn” and
Latin Bases vert, vers = “turn, change”
Unit III
Lesson 12
Part E:
Add the Prefix
Go for the Gold!
Directions: In part A, add the correct prefix from the Prefix Bank to produce the word that matches
the definition. Then, in part B, complete the sentences, paying special attention to the italicized words.
A. Latin-based “turn, change” words
Word
Definition
1. ______ verted
=
“outwardly” “turned” or directed; sociable; gregarious
2. ______ versy
=
a disagreement in which people’s views “turn” “against” one
another
3. ______ vert
=
to “turn” “back” to an earlier plan or option; to take
recourse in
4. ______ verse
=
warped; distorted; “turned” “wrongly”
5. ______ versive
=
undermining; aiming to overthrow; “turning” “up from
under”
6. ______ versation
=
discussion in which people “turn” a topic “together”
7. ______ versity
=
difficulty; a harsh “turn” of
circumstance “toward” someone
B.
Greek-based “turn” words
8. The tropics get their name because they __________________
__________________________________________________ .
9. Some good-luck charms are considered apotropaic because
__________________________________________________ .
10. A heliotrope gets its name because it ____________________
__________________________________________________ .
© Teacher Created Materials
Prefix Bank
ad- = to, toward, add to
apo- = away, from; away from
con- = with, together, very
contro- = against
extro- = outward
helio- = of or relating to the
sun
per- = through, thoroughly,
wrongly
re- = back, again
sub- = beneath, up from
under, below
#50593—Building Vocabulary from Word Roots
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