Latin root words

Based on your knowledge of the Latin root 'port', which of these items is specifically designed to be portable?

• A large desktop computer

• A heavy textbook you leave in your locker

• A small laptop you take to the library

• A classroom whiteboard

Answer explanation

The Latin root 'port' means 'to carry.' The word 'portable' means 'able to be carried.' A small laptop is designed to be easily carried, unlike the other heavy or fixed items.

Match each word to the meaning derived from its primary Latin root.

• To carry something from one place to another

• Spectator

• A document written by hand

• Transport

• A person who watches an event

• Manuscript

Answer explanation

The root 'manu' means hand and 'script' means write (manuscript). The root 'spect' means to look or watch (spectator). The root 'port' means to carry (transport).

Based on your knowledge of the Latin root 'spect', who is a 'spectator' at a soccer game?

• The person kicking the ball

• The person coaching the team

• The person watching the game from the stands

• The person selling snacks

Answer explanation

The Latin root 'spect' means 'to look' or 'to watch.' Therefore, a 'spectator' is someone who looks at or watches an event, like a soccer game.

Sort these words based on the sense their Latin root relates to: Hearing or Seeing.

Groups:

(a) Hearing

,

(b) Seeing

• inaudible

• audible

• video

• vision

• audience

• visual

Answer explanation

Words with the root 'aud' (like audible, audience) relate to hearing. Words with the root 'vis' or 'vid' (like video, vision) relate to seeing.

The Latin root 'aud', found in words like 'auditorium' and 'audible', means...

• to hear

• to see

• to write

• to carry

Answer explanation

The Latin root 'aud' means 'to hear.' An auditorium is a place where you hear a performance, and something that is audible is able to be heard.

Your teacher asks you to 'describe' your favorite character. Based on your knowledge of the Latin root 'scrib', what are you being asked to do?

• Draw a picture of the character

• Write or tell about the character in detail

• Act out a scene as the character

• Choose your favorite character from a list

Answer explanation

The Latin root 'scrib' means 'to write.' The word 'describe' means to 'write down' or explain something in detail using words.

Match each word to the number represented by its Latin root.

• One (1)

• Century

• One hundred (100)

• Unicycle

• Three (3)

• Tricycle

Answer explanation

The root 'cent-' means one hundred, 'uni-' means one, and 'tri-' means three. Each word refers to a quantity based on its root.

Based on your knowledge of the Latin root 'civ', what is the main focus of a 'civics' class in school?

• Learning about ancient empires

• Studying the rights and duties of citizens

• Practicing public speaking

• Building model cities

Answer explanation

The Latin root 'civ' relates to 'citizen.' A 'civics' class is the study of the rights and duties of citizenship and how government works.

Sort these words based on the meaning of their Latin root: 'Throw,' 'Carry,' or 'Write.'

Groups:

(a) Throw

,

(b) Carry

,

(c) Write

• script

• projector

• transport

• portable

• eject

• inscription

Answer explanation

Words with the Latin root 'ject' mean 'throw.' Words with the Latin root 'port' mean 'carry.' Words with the Latin root 'scrib/script' mean 'write.'

A historian discovers a 'manuscript' from the 15th century. Based on the Latin roots 'manu' (hand) and 'script' (write), what did the historian most likely find?

• A book printed on a machine

• A document written by hand

• A spoken recording of a story

• A carved stone tablet

Answer explanation

A 'manuscript' combines the Latin root 'manu' (hand) with 'script' (write). Therefore, it refers to a document that was written by hand, not printed.