Greek root words

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

• Sound

• Distant or far off

• Light

• To speak

Answer explanation

The root 'tele' means 'distant' or 'far off'. A telephone carries sound over a distance, and television sends images over a distance.

Match the Greek root to the scientific field it primarily relates to.

• The study of life and living organisms

• bio

• The study of the Earth and its physical structure

• geo

• The study of water and its properties

• hydro

Answer explanation

The root 'bio' means life, 'geo' means Earth, and 'hydro' means water. These roots form the basis for biology, geology, and hydrology.

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

Groups:

(a) Roots related to Earth and its Elements

,

(b) Roots related to Time and Measurement

• geology

• hydrate

• chronology

• meter

Answer explanation

'Hydrate' (from the Greek 'hydor' for water) and 'geology' (from 'geo' for earth) come from roots for elements. 'Chronology' (from 'chronos' for time) and 'meter' (from 'metron' for measure) come from roots related to time and measurement.

A thermos is a container specifically designed to maintain the temperature of a liquid, whether hot or cold. Based on its function, what does the Greek root 'therm' most likely mean?

• heat

• container

• liquid

• measure

Answer explanation

The word 'thermos' comes from the Greek root 'therm,' which means 'heat.' A thermos works by preventing heat transfer to maintain a constant temperature.

In words like 'autograph' and 'graphic novel', what does the Greek root 'graph' mean?

• To see or look

• To write or draw

• Self or same

• Sound or voice

Answer explanation

The root 'graph' means 'to write or draw'. An autograph is something written by oneself, and a graphic novel tells a story with drawings.

Match each Greek root to its correct meaning.

• To look or see

• phon

• Light

• scope

• Sound

• photo

Answer explanation

These roots are common in scientific and technical terms: 'phon' (sound) as in telephone, 'photo' (light) as in photograph, and 'scope' (to look) as in telescope.

The movie's ending had a huge impact on the audience's minds and emotions. Which word, containing a Greek root, best describes this impact?

• physical

• financial

• geological

• psychological

Answer explanation

The Greek root 'psych' means 'mind' or 'soul.' A 'psychological' impact is one that affects the mind or emotions, which fits the context of a movie's effect on an audience.

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

Groups:

(a) Life (bio)

,

(b) Self (auto)

,

(c) Number (mono/poly)

• antibiotic

• polygon

• autograph

• monologue

• autobiography

• biology

Answer explanation

'Biology' and 'antibiotic' use the root 'bio' (life). 'Autograph' and 'autobiography' use the root 'auto' (self). 'Monologue' uses the prefix 'mono' (one) and 'polygon' uses the prefix 'poly' (many), both of which relate to number.

A student's science fair project is about stars, planets, and other celestial objects. This student is interested in which field of study, whose name contains a Greek root meaning 'star'?

• Biology

• Geology

• Astronomy

• Hydrology

Answer explanation

The Greek root 'astro' means 'star.' Therefore, 'astronomy' is the study of stars, planets, and other celestial objects. The other options are derived from 'bio' (life), 'geo' (earth), and 'hydro' (water).

Match the Greek root/suffix to the professional activity it describes.

• The measurement of something

• -path

• Feeling or suffering (often related to disease)

• -logy

• The study of a subject

• -meter

Answer explanation

A biologist uses '-logy' to study life. A thermometer uses '-meter' to measure temperature. A pathologist uses '-path' to study disease.