Greek root words

The Greek root `geo`, as in the words `geography` and `geology`, refers to what?

• the earth

• the stars

• water

• life

Answer explanation

The Greek root `geo` means 'earth' or 'land.' The other options are incorrect; `astro` relates to stars, `hydro` to water, and `bio` to life.

Match each Greek root to its correct meaning.

• sound

• phon

• life

• bio

• heat

• therm

Answer explanation

Each root is correctly paired with its meaning: `bio` means life (as in biology), `therm` means heat (as in thermometer), and `phon` means sound (as in telephone).

My history teacher asked us to put the events in `chronological` order. Based on the root `chrono`, what did she want us to do?

• Order them by importance

• Order them by when they happened in time

• Order them alphabetically

• Order them from longest to shortest

Answer explanation

The Greek root `chrono` means 'time.' Therefore, `chronological` order means arranging events in the sequence they occurred. The other options describe different, incorrect ways of ordering.

Sort these words into two groups: words that contain the Greek root for 'write' (`graph`) and words that do not.

Groups:

(a) Contains 'graph'

,

(b) Does not contain 'graph'

• graphic

• grape

• autograph

• geography

• paragraph

Answer explanation

The words `graphic`, `autograph`, `paragraph`, and `geography` all contain the Greek root `graph`, meaning 'to write' or 'draw.' The word `grape` is unrelated and does not share this root.

If the Greek root `scope` means 'to see,' which word would be used to describe an object that is extremely small?

• Telescopic

• Microscopic

• Periscopic

• Macroscopic

Answer explanation

The Greek root `micro` means 'small.' Therefore, a `microscopic` object is one that is small enough to require a special instrument to be seen. The other options use the roots `tele` (far), `peri` (around), and `macro` (large).

Match each Greek root to the school subject it is most related to.

• The study of stars and space

• psych

• The study of water

• hydro

• The study of the mind

• astro

Answer explanation

Each root is matched to its field of study: `psych` (mind) relates to psychology, `astro` (star) to astronomy, and `hydro` (water) to hydrology or hydrodynamics.

Many words for fields of study, like `biology` or `geology`, end in `-logy`. What does this common Greek root mean?

• the study of

• a person who does

• the art of

• the fear of

Answer explanation

The Greek root `-logy` (from `logos`) means 'the study of' something. A person who does something often ends in `-ist`, the art of something in `-graphy`, and the fear of something in `-phobia`.

Sort these words based on their primary Greek root: `tele` (far) or `auto` (self).

Groups:

(a) Root: tele (far)

,

(b) Root: auto (self)

• television

• automatic

• telephone

• autograph

• telescope

Answer explanation

Words with the root `tele` relate to distance (television, telescope, telephone), while words with `auto` relate to the self or self-action (autograph, automatic).

When you feel sick, your mom might use a `thermometer` to check for a fever. What does a `thermometer` measure?

• Your height

• Your temperature

• Your heart rate

• Your breathing

Answer explanation

The word `thermometer` combines the Greek roots `therm` (heat) and `meter` (measure). Therefore, it is a device used to measure heat, or temperature.

Match each field of study to the main thing it is about, based on its Greek root.

• The study of time

• Geology

• The study of the Earth

• Biology

• The study of life

• Chronology

Answer explanation

The meaning of each word is derived from its root combined with `-logy` (the study of): `bio` means life, `geo` means Earth, and `chrono` means time.