Year 4 English: Determine the Meanings of Greek and Latin Roots

Introduction to Roots

Hello, everyone! Today, we are going to learn about Greek and Latin roots. These roots are like the building blocks of many English words. By understanding them, you can figure out what new words mean!

What are Greek and Latin Roots?

Greek Roots

Greek roots come from the Greek language. Many scientific and medical words use Greek roots. For example:

• Photo means light (like in the word “photograph,” which means “writing with light”).
• Geo means earth (like in the word “geography,” which is the study of the earth).

Latin Roots

Latin roots come from the Latin language. Many English words, especially those used in law, education, and religion, come from Latin. For example:

• Cred means believe (like in the word “incredible,” which means “not able to be believed”).
• Dict means say (like in the word “dictionary,” which is a book of words and their meanings).

Why Are Roots Important?

Understanding roots helps you guess the meaning of words you might not know. If you see the word “biography,” you can break it down into “bio” (life) and “graph” (write). So, a biography is a writing about someone’s life!

Key Rules for Understanding Roots

1. Look for Common Roots: Many words share the same roots. For example, “predict” (to say before) and “dictate” (to say).
2. Combine Roots: Sometimes, two roots come together to make a new word. For example, “tele” (far) + “phone” (sound) = “telephone” (a device for sound from far away).
3. Use Context Clues: Look at how the word is used in a sentence. This can help you understand its meaning.

Tips and Tricks

• Make a Word Wall: Keep a list of Greek and Latin roots and examples to help remember them.
• Play Word Games: Try to create new words using different roots. See how many you can make!
• Ask Questions: If you see a new word, ask what roots it might have and what they could mean.

Questions to Test Your Knowledge

Easy Level Questions

1. What does the root “photo” mean?
2. What does the root “geo” mean?
3. What does “cred” mean?
4. What does “dict” mean?
5. What is a “biography” about?
6. What does the word “telephone” mean?
7. What does “tele” mean?
8. What does “graph” mean?
9. What is the meaning of “incredible”?
10. What does “autobiography” mean?

Medium Level Questions

11. Can you name a word that uses the root “spect” (look)?
12. What does “spectate” mean?
13. What does “trans” mean in “transport”?
14. What does “port” mean?
15. What does the root “scribe” mean?
16. What is a “manuscript”?
17. What does “bio” mean?
18. Can you think of a word using “form” (shape)?
19. What does “uniform” mean?
20. What does “bene” mean in “benefit”?

Hard Level Questions

21. What does “television” mean when broken into roots?
22. What does “aud” mean in “audience”?
23. Can you explain the word “predict” using its roots?
24. What does “mal” mean in “malfunction”?
25. What is the meaning of “psychology” based on its roots?
26. What does the root “cred” tell you about “credit”?
27. Can you find a word with the root “vent” and explain it?
28. What is the meaning of “conductor” when you look at its roots?
29. What does “circum” mean in “circumference”?
30. Can you explain what “recycle” means using its roots?

Answers and Explanations

Easy Level Answers

1. Light
2. Earth
3. Believe
4. Say
5. A writing about someone’s life
6. A device for sound from far away
7. Far
8. Write
9. Not able to be believed
10. A biography written by the person themselves

Medium Level Answers

11. Spectator
12. To watch or look at
13. Across
14. To carry
15. Write
16. A written document
17. Life
18. Transform
19. One shape, same form
20. Good

Hard Level Answers

21. To see from far away
22. To hear
23. To say before
24. Bad
25. The study of the mind
26. It relates to belief or trust
27. Event (to come out)
28. A person who leads or guides
29. Around
30. To cycle again or use again

Now you have a great start in understanding Greek and Latin roots! Keep practicing, and you’ll become a root expert in no time!