Greek root words

The Greek root 'tele' is found in words like 'telephone' and 'television'. What does 'tele' mean?

• sound

• far off

• picture

• to speak

Answer explanation

The Greek root 'tele' means 'far off' or 'at a distance'. A telephone carries sound far off, and television sends pictures far off. The other options are related to the full words but not the specific root.

Match each common Greek root to its correct meaning.

• earth

• hydro

• life

• bio

• water

• geo

Answer explanation

Each root is matched with its core meaning: 'bio' means life (like in biology), 'geo' means earth (like in geography), and 'hydro' means water (like in hydrate).

If your history teacher says your project is not in 'chronological' order, what is the problem?

• The project is too short and needs more details.

• The events are not listed in the correct time sequence.

• The project uses sources that are not trustworthy.

• The writing is messy and difficult to read.

Answer explanation

The Greek root 'chron' means 'time'. Therefore, 'chronological' order means arranging events in the order they happened. The other options relate to different aspects of a project.

Sort these words into categories based on the meaning of their Greek roots.

Groups:

(a) Related to Measurement

,

(b) Related to Senses

• perimeter

• telephone

• thermometer

• telescope

Answer explanation

The words are sorted by the meaning of their Greek roots. 'Thermometer' and 'perimeter' both contain roots related to measurement ('thermo' for heat, 'meter' for measure). 'Telephone' and 'telescope' contain roots related to the senses ('phone' for sound, 'scope' for see).

The words 'photograph', 'graphic', and 'autograph' all share a common Greek root. What does this root, 'graph', mean?

• to see

• to write or draw

• to send

• to measure

Answer explanation

The Greek root 'graph' means 'to write or draw'. A photograph is an image 'written' with light, a graphic is a drawing, and an autograph is one's own 'written' signature. The other options are meanings for different roots ('scope', 'port', 'meter').

What does the Greek root 'therm', as in 'thermostat' and 'thermal', relate to?

• pressure

• time

• heat

• speed

Answer explanation

The Greek root 'therm' means 'heat'. A thermostat controls heat, and thermal clothing keeps you warm. The other options are unrelated concepts.

Match each Greek root or suffix to its meaning or function in a word.

• an instrument for viewing

• -scope

• the study of something

• -meter

• a tool for measuring

• -logy

Answer explanation

Each ending corresponds to a specific function: '-logy' means 'the study of' (biology), '-meter' means 'measure' (thermometer), and '-scope' means 'to look at' (telescope).

My older sister is studying 'psychology' because she is fascinated by how people think and feel. What does the root 'psych' likely refer to?

• the body

• the mind

• the future

• the school

Answer explanation

Given the context of studying how people think and feel, the Greek root 'psych' refers to the 'mind' or 'soul'. The other options do not fit the context provided.

Sort these scientific fields into categories based on the meaning of their Greek roots.

Groups:

(a) Study of Stars

,

(b) Study of Earth

,

(c) Study of Life

• zoology

• biology

• astronomy

• geology

Answer explanation

The words are sorted by the meaning of their primary root: 'astro' means star, 'geo' means earth, 'bio' means life, and 'zoo' means animal (a form of life). Therefore, both 'biology' and 'zoology' fit into the 'Study of Life' category.

In words like 'symphony', 'microphone', and 'cacophony', which Greek root means 'sound'?

• sym-

• micro-

• phon

• phony

Answer explanation

The Greek root 'phon' means 'sound'. 'Sym-' means together, 'micro-' means small, and 'phony' is not a root in this context.