Word Roots
Many of the words we use are made up of parts. These parts are called roots. The roots themselves
have meaning, and when you put them in larger words, they can help to define the word. Vocabulary and
spelling become easier and more meaningful by studying word roots.
Homework
Your assignment is to prepare a flashcard for each root assigned. You must use card stock or index cards
– no paper flashcards. On one side of the card, write the root. On the other side of the card, write the
definition, two words that relate back to the root’s meaning, and definitions for those words. On at least 4 cards
from each group, draw a picture to help you remember the root word. For example:
Side 1
Side 2
­­ both ways
amphi
1­1
1.
amphitheater –
theater in which you can
see both sides of the
stage
2.
amphibious – able
to live both on land and
water
Latin Roots
Group #5
Root
46. mort
47. multi
48. ped
49. pell, puls
50. pend, pens
51. plic, plex
52. port
53. post
54. rect
55. rupt
Group #6
Meaning
death
many
foot
push
hanging
interweave; fold
carry
after
straight
break
Root
56. scribe, script
57. sect
58. solv, solu
59. spec, spic
60. tact, tang
61. term
62. tract
63. vers, vert
64. viv, vit
65. voc
Meaning
write
cut
loosen
see
touch
end
pull; drag
turn
live
voice
Latin and Greek Prefixes (expressing time and place)
Group #7
Root
66. intra­
67. endo
68. ad­, ac­, ag­, at­
69. inter­
70. epi­
71. com­, con­, cor­
72. syn­, sym­
73. post­
Meaning
inside; within
inside; within
to; toward
between; among
upon
at the same time
with; at the same time
after
Group #8
Root
74. pre­
75. ante­
76. de­
77. sub­
78. super­
79. re­
80. dis­, di­
Meaning
before
before
down
under; beneath
above; over
back; backward
off; away
Guidelines for Successful Root Cards
1. The definition must show a relationship to the root’s meaning.
2. Show how the words YOU choose, relate to the root definition.
3. For the word examples, you must use different words (No same word, different ending!)
4. Do NOT choose bizarre, obscure words for the examples. Choose words that have a chance to be part
of your everyday vocabulary.
5. The root can be anywhere in the word. It doesn’t have to be at the beginning of the word.
6. Spelling counts! If you misspell the words you choose (or the root), it will be marked wrong.
Assignments:
Part 1: Review
Directions: Complete the attached review. Each question is worth 2 points each. You may use your flash cards.
(40 points)
Part 2: Note Cards
Directions: Gather all 80 note cards in a small bag or on a clip ring. I will give you half a point for each
completed notecard. (40 points)
Latin & Greek Roots Review
Name:
Directions: For questions 1­14 circle the letter that represents the best answer (2 points each)
1. Choose the word that means light
a. Macro
b. Micro
c. Photo
d. Tele
8. Choose the word that means sound; speech
a. Scope
b. Phone
c. Tele
d. Graph
2. Choose the word that means instrument used
for measurement
a. Hydro
b. Meter
c. Phon/phone
d. Scope
9. Choose the word that means instrument used
to observe
a. Scope
b. Tele
c. Photo
d. Meter
3. Choose the word that means water
a. Phone
b. Geo
c. Therm
d. Hydro
10. Choose the word that means written
a. Tele
b. Scope
c. Graph/gram
d. Phone/phon
4. Choose the word that means large
a. Bio
b. Auto
c. Macro
d. Micro
11. Choose the word that means distant, far
a. Meter
b. Scope
c. Tele
d. Gram
5. Choose the word that means earth; rocks
a. Geo
b. Astro
c. Gram
d. Bio
12. Choose the word that means small
a. Macro
b. Bio
c. Micro
d. Auto
6. Choose the word that means heat, warm
a. Phone/phon
b. Hydro
c. Graph
d. Therm
13. Choose the word that means life
a. Aster
b. Auto
c. Hydro
d. Bio
7. Choose the word that means self
a. Bio
b. Aster
c. Auto
d. Scope
14. Choose the word that means star/heavens
a. Tele
b. Meter
c. Macro
d. Astro/aster
For questions 15 – 20 Use the word bank provided to fill in the blank with the correct answer
macronucleus thermometer hydroscope
telescope gram periscope
1. This allows you to look at something far away____________________________
2. This allows you to look at something under water_________________________
3. This allows you to check the temperature of a room_______________________
4. This means something is “written “or drawn; a record_____________________________________
5. This means the larger of two nuclei present in ciliate protozoans, which controls non­reproductive
functions of the cell, such as metabolism___________________________________