Part 1

Read the sentences below, paying attention to the underlined words. Each underlined word shares a Greek or Latin root. Answer the questions below the sentences to figure out the meaning of the root.

Set 1

A. The actor performed a monologue on stage.
B. I didn’t like what the city was doing about keeping the parks clean, so I took action!
C. The electronic transaction will not be processed until tomorrow.

1. What root word is shared by all of the underlined words?

2. Based on your prior knowledge or context clues from above, what does each of the underlined words mean? Don’t use the root word in your definition.

Actor:

Action:

Transaction:

3. What is the meaning of the root word you listed in question 1? Use the definitions you provided to help you.


Set 2

A. The United States imports some fruits from other counties.
B. Now that laptops are everywhere, it’s hard to remember a time when computers weren’t portable.
C. When the transportation committee voted to widen the freeway, many commuters were relieved.

1. What root word is shared by all of the underlined words?

2. Based on your prior knowledge or context clues from above, what does each of the underlined words mean? Don’t use the root word in your definition.

Imports:

Portable:

Transportation:

3. What is the meaning of the root word you listed in question 2? Use the definitions you provided to help you.


Part 2

Look at the word sets below. The words in each set share a common root word. You’ll analyze the words to determine their meaning by answering the questions below each set.

Set 1

Synonym
Anonymous
Pseudonym

1. What root word is shared by each word?

2. Do you know the meaning of any of the words above? If so, write each word you know and its definition here:

3. Given this definition: A synonym is one of two or more words that have similar meanings or name similar things, define the root word and the other two vocabulary words:

Root:

Anonymous:

Pseudonym:

4. Explain how the root word contributes to the meaning of each word above:


Set 2

Philosopher
Sophisticated
Sophomore

1. What root word is shared by each word?

2. Do you know the meaning of any of the words above? If so, write the word and its definition here:

3. Given this definition: Someone who is sophisticated has a refined knowledge of the ways of the world, define the root word and the other two vocabulary words:

Root:

Sophomore:

Philosopher:

4. Explain how the root word contributes to the meaning of each word above: