Phobia and Roots

Greek and Latin Roots: 

Port-, Phobia,- and Rupt-

In English, we have 3 kinds of affixes, or word parts:

• Prefixes come before a root

• Roots come either in the beginning of a word (if there is no prefix) or in the middle of a word

• Suffixes follow a root

English borrows from other languages

• English takes affixes from Greek and Latin

• When we recognize those affixes, we can figure out the meanings of difficult new words.

The root 'port-'

• comes from Latin

• means 'to carry'

• is used in words like transportation, export, and portable

Multiple Choice

If the suffix '-able' means can be done, what does 'portable' mean?

• can be carried

• delivered by hand

• can not deliver

• a place ships can dock

Multiple Choice

If the prefix 'de-' means away from, what does 'deport' mean?

• can be carried

• delivered by night

• to carry or send away

• transporting cars

The root 'phobia'

• comes from Greek

• means 'irrational fear of or hatred'

• is used in words like aquaphobia, claustrophobic, and agoraphobia

Multiple Choice

If 'photo-' means light, what does photophobia mean?

• to take photos

• the fear of light

• fear of seeing

• the fear of photos

Multiple Choice

If 'acro-' means height, what does acrophobia mean?

• to take lesson

• the fear of tall people

• fear of flipping

• the fear of heights

The root 'rupt'

• comes from Latin

• means 'break/burst'

• is used in words like disruptive, bankrupt, and eruption

Multiple Choice

If 'bank' means a place where people keep money, what does it mean if someone goes bankrupt?

• to gain money

• they can't see their account

• burst bank account

• to save money

Multiple Choice

If the prefix 'inter-' means between, what does it mean to interrupt?

• to stop by breaking in-between

• to camouflage, so something can't be seen

• to break your mind

• a picture in the middle

Poll

How are you feeling about the roots port-, phobia-, and rupt-?

• I don't understand. I need some help.

• I think I sort of get it. With more practice, I'll improve.

• I am ready for more Root Words!