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Worksheets

Determine Meaning of Words

Total questions: 25

Worksheet time: 25mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Choose all of the correct answers.

It is important to learn Greek and Latin roots because...

a)

they help you find the meanings of words

b)

the help you better understand what you are reading

c)

they help you divide in math

d)

they help you break down the word to understand what it means

2.

In the story, "Nature's Firefighters," it says: "Strong winds whip flames into firestorms that rip through the combustible plants, threatening lives and costing billions of dollars in damage."


What does the word firestorm mean?

a)

an intense, destructive fire

b)

fire that rains from burning clouds in the sky

c)

a tool for fighting fires

d)

a goat that battles fires

3.

When Wei Yei got a tiny cut on her pinky finger, she became melodramatic, and sobbed and demanded to see a doctor.


What does melodramatic mean?

a)

quiet

b)

overly emotional

c)

angry

d)

not angry enough

4.

The mayor will address the problem at the next meeting.

a)

to speak to

b)

to put energy into doing something

c)

to write on an envelope where it should be delivered

d)

the location of a building

5.

To find out is the definition for...

a)

omniscient

b)

skulk

c)

expunge

d)

ascertain

6.

literal

a)

a figure of speech expressing a resemblance between things

b)

limited to the explicit meaning of a word or text

c)

find out or learn with certainty, as by making an inquiry

d)

an idea that is implied or suggested

7.

Which word contains a root word with the meaning "sound"?

a)

pedometer

b)

uniform

c)

symphony

d)

verdict

8.

Knowing that the Latin root astr- means stars/space can help us determine the meaning of the underlined word in this sentence: The astronomer received her bachelor's of science degree in physics from Kansas State University.

a)

Someone who studies stars and outer space

b)

Someone who stars in a movie

c)

Someone who looks like a star

d)

Someone who travels to stars

9.

Knowing that the Greek root "bio" means life can help you determine the meaning of the underlined word in the following sentence: There is a greater biomass in the rainforest than in the arctic.

a)

A scientist who studies life

b)

Reptiles and mammals

c)

The amount of living things in a habitat

d)

A story written about someone's life

10.

Knowing that the Greek root "chron" means time can help you determine the meaning of the underlined word in this sentence: My grandpa has been suffering from chronic back pain for the last twenty years, and the doctors can't figure out why.

a)

Putting events in a timeline

b)

Something lasting a long time

c)

Something lasting a short time

d)

A device that tells time

11.

Knowing that the Greek root "poly" means multiple/many can help us determine the meaning of the underlined word in this sentence: The polyglot could speak French, Japanese, Arabic, and English.

a)

Someone with many different college degrees

b)

Someone with many nationalities

c)

Someone born in many different countries

d)

Someone who knows many languages

12.

Knowing that the Latin root "port" means to carry can help you determine the meaning of the underlined word in this sentence: The porter struggled to balance the 4 suitcases on top of each other as he walked them to the guest's room.

a)

A person whose job it is to carry luggage

b)

A machine that carries luggage

c)

Something that is easy to carry

d)

A ship that carries people from one destination to another

13.

Knowing that the Latin root "cent" means 100 can help you determine the meaning of the underlined word in this sentence: The centipede crawled across the driveway, trying to make it to the grassy yard before a bird pecked it up as a midday snack.

a)

100 seconds

b)

100 pennies make 1 dollar

c)

A mouse with 100 legs

d)

A bug with 100 legs

14.

A word's root is its...

a)

prefix (beginning)

b)

origin (starting place)

c)

suffix (ending)

d)

plant

15.

The root word "bio" means life. What does the word biology mean?

a)

the study of life

b)

living things

c)

full of life

d)

life throughout

16.

Choose all answers that have a root word that means "two"?

a)

bisect

b)

dioxide

c)

biweekly

d)

unicycle

17.

What is the denotative meaning of the word “puny” in the sentence above?

a)

small

b)

large

c)

noisy

d)

heavy

18.

What is the dictionary meaning of the word “lanky” in the sentence above?

a)

huge and tall

b)

tall and thin

c)

muscular and tall

d)

thin and short

19.

Connotation is

a)

The dictionary meaning of a word

b)

The emotion or feeling associated with a word

c)

The dictionary meaning of a word

d)

The intensity of a word.

20.

Helen was guarded about her private life. She would not give anyone her phone number and address. What does the word “guarded” suggest about Helen in the sentence above?

a)

She was excited about her life

b)

She does not care about her life

c)

She is protective over her life.

d)

She is bored with her life.

21.

What does the word 'gregarious' mean?

a)

A) Fond of company; sociable

b)

B) Extremely shy and reserved

c)

C) Having a strong dislike for social gatherings

d)

D) Preferring solitude over company

22.

In the sentence, 'The detective was able to deduce the suspect's location from the clues,' what does the word 'deduce' mean?

a)

A) To guess without evidence

b)

B) To conclude from evidence

c)

C) To ignore the evidence

d)

D) To hide the evidence

23.

What is the meaning of the word 'benevolent'?

a)

A) Wishing to do good; kindly

b)

B) Indifferent to others' needs

c)

C) Hostile and aggressive

d)

D) Selfish and greedy

24.

In the context of the sentence, 'The artist's work was an enigma to the critics,' what does 'enigma' mean?

a)

A) A clear and obvious statement

b)

B) A puzzle or mystery

c)

C) A well-known fact

d)

D) A simple explanation

25.

What does the word 'ephemeral' mean?

a)

A) Lasting for a very short time

b)

B) Permanent and unchanging

c)

C) Extremely durable

d)

D) Long-lasting and eternal