Greek root words

A telescope allows you to see objects that are far away, like stars and planets. Based on this information, what does the Greek root 'tele' most likely mean?

• Far off or distant

• To see or look at

• Star or celestial body

• Small or tiny

Answer explanation

The word 'telescope' combines 'tele' (far off) and 'scope' (to see). Since a telescope is used to see distant objects, the root 'tele' must mean 'far off' or 'distant'.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.4B

CCSS.L.5.4B

CCSS.L.6.4B

CCSS.L.7.4B

CCSS.L.8.4B

Match each Greek root to its correct meaning.

• earth

• geo

• life

• thermo

• heat

• hydro

• water

• bio

Answer explanation

Each root is matched with its correct meaning: 'bio' means life, 'geo' means earth, 'hydro' means water, and 'thermo' means heat.

A historian is careful to place events in chronological order to understand the timeline correctly. What does it mean to put events in chronological order?

• Arrange them by the location where they occurred

• Arrange them from most to least important

• Arrange them in the order they happened in time

• Arrange them alphabetically by name

Answer explanation

The Greek root 'chrono' means 'time'. Therefore, 'chronological order' means arranging events according to the sequence of time in which they occurred.

Tags

CCSS.L.3.4D

CCSS.L.6.4C

CCSS.L.7.4C

CCSS.L.8.4C

CCSS.L.9-10.4C

Sort these words based on the body part their Greek root refers to. The categories are: Heart, Skin, and Foot.

Groups:

(a) Heart

,

(b) Skin

,

(c) Foot

• cardiovascular

• cardiology

• dermatologist

• podiatrist

• epidermis

• tripod

Answer explanation

Words are sorted by their Greek roots: 'cardio' (heart), 'derm' (skin), and 'pod' (foot).

Tags

CCSS.L.1.6

CCSS.L.3.6

CCSS.L.K.5A

An autobiography is a story someone writes about their own life. Based on this, what does the Greek root 'auto' mean?

• Life

• To write

• Self

• Story

Answer explanation

An autobiography is the story of one's 'self' ('auto') life ('bio') that is written ('graph'). Therefore, the root 'auto' means 'self'.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.4B

CCSS.L.5.4B

CCSS.L.6.4B

CCSS.L.7.4B

CCSS.L.8.4B

The Greek root 'phon' is found in words like telephone, symphony, and microphone. What does 'phon' mean?

• Light

• Sound

• Distance

• Write

Answer explanation

All the example words relate to sound: a telephone carries sound, a symphony is a composition of sounds, and a microphone captures sound. Therefore, 'phon' means sound.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.4B

CCSS.L.5.4B

CCSS.L.6.4B

CCSS.L.7.4B

CCSS.L.8.4B

Match the field of study to the meaning of its primary Greek root.

• Life

• Psychology

• Earth

• Astronomy

• Star

• Geology

• Mind

• Biology

Answer explanation

Each field of study is named for what it is the study of. Psychology is the study of the mind ('psych'), Astronomy is the study of stars ('astro'), Biology is the study of life ('bio'), and Geology is the study of the Earth ('geo').

A megaphone is a device used to make a sound much louder so it can be heard by a large crowd. Based on this, what does the Greek root 'mega' likely mean?

• Sound

• Large or great

• To hear

• Device

Answer explanation

A megaphone makes a sound 'large' or 'great'. Therefore, the root 'mega' means 'large' or 'great'. The root 'phone' means 'sound'.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.4B

CCSS.L.5.4B

CCSS.L.6.4B

CCSS.L.7.4B

CCSS.L.8.4B

Sort these words based on whether their main root is from Greek or Latin. The categories are: Greek Origin and Latin Origin.

Groups:

(a) Greek Origin

,

(b) Latin Origin

• transport

• telephone

• biology

• aqueduct

• photograph

• unicycle

Answer explanation

Words are sorted by their root origin. 'Photo', 'bio', and 'tele' are Greek roots. 'Port', 'aqua', and 'uni' are Latin roots.

Plants use a process called photosynthesis to create their own food. This natural process cannot happen without sunlight. What does the Greek root 'photo' mean?

• To make or create

• Plant or leaf

• Light

• Food or energy

Answer explanation

The word 'photosynthesis' combines 'photo' (light) and 'synthesis' (to make). Since the process requires sunlight to happen, the root 'photo' must mean 'light'.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.4B

CCSS.L.5.4B

CCSS.L.6.4B

CCSS.L.7.4B

CCSS.L.8.4B