Etymology-Based Questions 8th grade

The prefix circum means "around." The Latin root navigate means "to sail or travel by water." Based on this, circumnavigate most likely means:

• A) To travel across a body of water

• B) To sail around something

• C) To discover new oceans

• D) To get lost while sailing

Answer explanation

The word 'circumnavigate' is derived from the Latin roots 'circum' meaning 'around' and 'navigate' meaning 'to sail or travel by water.' Therefore, it most likely means 'to sail around something.'

The Greek roots geo means “earth” and meter means “measure”. Based on this a geometer measures:

• A) Angles

• B) Distance

• C) Speed

• D) Land area

Answer explanation

A geometer measures land area because the Greek roots geo means 'earth' and meter means 'measure'.

The prefix inter- means "between or among." The Latin root -ject- means "to throw." Based on this, to interject is to:

• A) Interrupt

• B) Discuss

• C) Whisper

• D) Shout

Answer explanation

To interject means to interrupt, which is the correct choice (A) in this context.

The Greek root micro means "small." The Greek root phone means "sound or voice." Based on this, a microphone is used to:

• A) Magnify soft sound

• B) Detect high-pitched sounds

• C) record sounds

• D) Project loud sounds

Answer explanation

A microphone is used to capture soft sounds.

The prefix inter means "between." The Latin root stella means "star." Based on this, interstellar most likely refers to:

• A) Space between planets

• B) Supernova explosions

• C) Travel between star galaxies

• D) The area beyond our solar system

Answer explanation

Interstellar refers to travel between galaxies, as the prefix 'inter' means 'between' and the Latin root 'stella' means 'star'.

The Greek root tele means "at a distance." The Greek root polis means "city." Based on this, a telepolis would likely refer to:

• A) A small city

• B) An ancient city

• C) A futuristic city

• D) A city located far away

Answer explanation

A telepolis refers to a futuristic city, combining the Greek roots 'tele' meaning 'at a distance' and 'polis' meaning 'city'.

The Latin root voc means “call” or “voice”. The suffix -al means “related to”. Based on this, vocalize means:

• A) To shout

• B) To sing

• C) To speak

• D) To whisper

Answer explanation

Vocalize means to speak, as the Latin root 'voc' means 'call' or 'voice'. The suffix '-al' means 'related to'. Therefore, vocalize refers to using one's voice to communicate.

The Greek root word phon means "sound" or "voice." The Greek prefix a- means "without." Based on this, aphonia refers to:

• A) Low volume

• B) A silent movie

• C) Lack of sound

• D) Soothing tones

Answer explanation

Aphonia refers to the lack of sound, as indicated by the Greek root word phon meaning 'sound' or 'voice' and the prefix a- meaning 'without'. Therefore, the correct choice is C) Lack of sound.

The Latin root ped means "foot." The suffix -al means "relating to." Based on this, a bipedal animal is one that:

• A) Has four feet

• B) Has webbed feet

• C) Moves on two feet

• D) Has one foot

Answer explanation

A bipedal animal is one that moves on two feet.

The Latin root fluere means "to flow." The prefix in- means "not." Based on this, influent means:

• A) Not flowing

• B) Blocked passage

• C) Overflowing

• D) Leaking

Answer explanation

The Latin root fluere means 'to flow.' The prefix in- means 'not.' Therefore, influent means 'not flowing.'