Vocabulary Building: Understanding Greek And Latin Roots In English Words Quiz

1. The Greek root 'tele' means 'far' or 'distance.' What does the word 'telescope' most likely mean?

A tool to measure time.

A tool to see things that are far away.

A tool to make things small.

A tool to hear things that are loud.

The root tele means 'far,' and the ending -scope means 'see' or 'look.' Therefore, a telescope is a tool used to look at objects that are far away (in the distance).

Explanation

The root tele means 'far,' and the ending -scope means 'see' or 'look.' Therefore, a telescope is a tool used to look at objects that are far away (in the distance).

2. The Latin root 'aqua' means _______.

The Latin root aqua is the basis for many English words related to water, such as aquarium, aquatic, and aqueduct.

Explanation

The Latin root aqua is the basis for many English words related to water, such as aquarium, aquatic, and aqueduct.

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3. Knowing the meaning of the root 'graph' (to write or draw) helps you understand the word 'photograph.'

True

False

This is true. Photo means 'light,' and graph means 'write/draw.' A photograph is an image drawn or captured using light.

Explanation

This is true. Photo means 'light,' and graph means 'write/draw.' A photograph is an image drawn or captured using light.

4. The Latin root 'port' means 'to carry.' What does the word 'portable' mean?

Unable to be opened.

Able to be easily carried or moved.

Very heavy and hard to move.

Having a strong handle.

The root port means 'to carry,' and the suffix -able means 'able to be.' Therefore, something portable is able to be carried.

Explanation

The root port means 'to carry,' and the suffix -able means 'able to be.' Therefore, something portable is able to be carried.

5. The Greek root 'auto' means 'self.' What does the word 'autograph' most likely mean?

A picture drawn by another person.

Something written by oneself (a signature).

A device that drives a car.

A machine that writes very quickly.

The root auto means 'self,' and graph means 'write.' An autograph is literally the writing of one's own name (a signature).

Explanation

The root auto means 'self,' and graph means 'write.' An autograph is literally the writing of one's own name (a signature).

6. The Greek root 'micro' means 'small.' What does 'microscope' allow you to see?

Things that are very large.

Things that are very small.

Things that are far away.

Things that are old.

The root micro means 'small,' and -scope means 'see.' A microscope is a tool used to see things that are too small to see with the naked eye.

Explanation

The root micro means 'small,' and -scope means 'see.' A microscope is a tool used to see things that are too small to see with the naked eye.

7. The word 'bicycle' contains the root 'bi' (meaning two), referring to its two wheels.

True

False

This is true. The prefix bi is derived from Latin and means 'two,' referring to the two wheels on a bicycle.

Explanation

This is true. The prefix bi is derived from Latin and means 'two,' referring to the two wheels on a bicycle.

8. The Latin root 'struct' means 'to build.' Which word means to take down something that was built?

Construct

Instruct

Structure

Destroy

Struct means 'to build.' Destroy comes from the root, meaning to undo or take down what was built. Construct means to build something.

Explanation

Struct means 'to build.' Destroy comes from the root, meaning to undo or take down what was built. Construct means to build something.

9. Which words use the root 'scope' (meaning to see or look)? (Select all that apply)

Telescope

Scribble

Microscope

Periscope

Telescope and microscope are used to see far or small things. A periscope allows one to see around (peri) a corner or above the water.

Explanation

Telescope and microscope are used to see far or small things. A periscope allows one to see around (peri) a corner or above the water.

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10. The Latin root 'cap' or 'cept' means 'to take' or 'to seize.' What does the word 'capture' mean?

To give something away.

To take someone or something into custody.

To talk about something.

To release a person.

The root cap means 'to take' or 'to seize.' To capture means to take and hold something or someone.

Explanation

The root cap means 'to take' or 'to seize.' To capture means to take and hold something or someone.

11. If the root 'vid' means 'to see,' then a video is something made to be _______.

The Latin root vid or vis means 'to see.' A video is a recording intended to be watched or seen.

Explanation

The Latin root vid or vis means 'to see.' A video is a recording intended to be watched or seen.

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12. The root 'form' (meaning shape or create) is present in the word 'reform,' meaning to change the shape or structure of something.

True

False

This is true. The prefix re- means 'again' or 'back,' and form means 'shape.' To reform is to change or shape something again for the better.

Explanation

This is true. The prefix re- means 'again' or 'back,' and form means 'shape.' To reform is to change or shape something again for the better.

13. The root 'bene' (meaning good) is in the word 'beneficial,' which means helpful.

True

False

This is true. The root bene means 'good,' and something beneficial produces a good or favorable result.

Explanation

This is true. The root bene means 'good,' and something beneficial produces a good or favorable result.

14. The Latin root 'dict' means 'to say' or 'to speak.' What is the main purpose of a dictionary?

A book that lists words and their sounds.

A book that tells you what words mean.

A book that shows you pictures.

A book that teaches you grammar.

Since dict means 'to say,' a dictionary is a collection of spoken words and the meaning that is 'said' about them.

Explanation

Since dict means 'to say,' a dictionary is a collection of spoken words and the meaning that is 'said' about them.

15. The Greek root 'therm' means _______.

The root therm is found in words related to heat or temperature, such as thermometer, thermal, and thermos.

Explanation

The root therm is found in words related to heat or temperature, such as thermometer, thermal, and thermos.

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16. The Greek root 'chron' means 'time.' What does the word 'chronological' mean?

Arranged in order of size.

Arranged in order of importance.

Arranged in the order that events happened in time.

Arranged in order of color.

The root chron means 'time.' Chronological order means arranging things according to the sequence or order of time.

Explanation

The root chron means 'time.' Chronological order means arranging things according to the sequence or order of time.

17. Which words use the Greek root 'geo' (meaning Earth)? (Select all that apply)

Geometry

Geography

Geology

Television

Geometry is the math of shapes on the Earth. Geography is the writing/drawing (graph) of the Earth. Geology is the study (logy) of the Earth.

Explanation

Geometry is the math of shapes on the Earth. Geography is the writing/drawing (graph) of the Earth. Geology is the study (logy) of the Earth.

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18. The Latin root 'ped' or 'pod' means _______.

The root ped (Latin) or pod (Greek) means 'foot.' Words like pedal, pedestrian, and tripod all contain this root.

Explanation

The root ped (Latin) or pod (Greek) means 'foot.' Words like pedal, pedestrian, and tripod all contain this root.

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19. Which words use a root that relates to people or humans? (Select all that apply)

Manual

Demographic

Human

Pedestrian

The root dem (in demographic) means 'people.' The root human also relates to people. Manual relates to the hand (manus). Pedestrian relates to the foot (ped).

Explanation

The root dem (in demographic) means 'people.' The root human also relates to people. Manual relates to the hand (manus). Pedestrian relates to the foot (ped).

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20. Which words contain a root that means 'sound'? (Select all that apply)

Audience

Audio

Photograph

Phone

The Latin root audi (in audio) and the Greek root phone (in phone) both mean 'sound' or 'voice.'

Explanation

The Latin root audi (in audio) and the Greek root phone (in phone) both mean 'sound' or 'voice.'

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Vocabulary Building: Understanding Greek and Latin Roots in English Words Quiz

1. The Greek root 'tele' means 'far' or 'distance.' What does the word 'telescope' most likely mean?

2. The Latin root 'aqua' means _______.

3. Knowing the meaning of the root 'graph' (to write or draw) helps you understand the word 'photograph.'

4. The Latin root 'port' means 'to carry.' What does the word 'portable' mean?

5. The Greek root 'auto' means 'self.' What does the word 'autograph' most likely mean?

6. The Greek root 'micro' means 'small.' What does 'microscope' allow you to see?

7. The word 'bicycle' contains the root 'bi' (meaning two), referring to its two wheels.

8. The Latin root 'struct' means 'to build.' Which word means to take down something that was built?

9. Which words use the root 'scope' (meaning to see or look)? (Select all that apply)

10. The Latin root 'cap' or 'cept' means 'to take' or 'to seize.' What does the word 'capture' mean?

11. If the root 'vid' means 'to see,' then a video is something made to be _______.

12. The root 'form' (meaning shape or create) is present in the word 'reform,' meaning to change the shape or structure of something.

13. The root 'bene' (meaning good) is in the word 'beneficial,' which means helpful.

14. The Latin root 'dict' means 'to say' or 'to speak.' What is the main purpose of a dictionary?

15. The Greek root 'therm' means _______.

16. The Greek root 'chron' means 'time.' What does the word 'chronological' mean?

17. Which words use the Greek root 'geo' (meaning Earth)? (Select all that apply)

18. The Latin root 'ped' or 'pod' means _______.

19. Which words use a root that relates to people or humans? (Select all that apply)

20. Which words contain a root that means 'sound'? (Select all that apply)