Detailed Explanation of Determining the Meanings of Words with Greek and Latin Roots 📚✨

When we want to understand the meanings of new or tricky words, one helpful way is to look at their Greek and Latin roots. Roots are the basic parts of words that have a special meaning. Many words in English come from Greek and Latin roots, so if you know what these roots mean, you can work out the meaning of words you haven’t seen before. This is a great skill to practise in Year 6 English lessons.

What Are Greek and Latin Roots? 🔍

Greek and Latin roots are the beginnings of words or main parts that come from the ancient Greek and Latin languages. English has borrowed many words and parts of words from these languages over time. For example:

  • The Latin root “aqua” means water.
  • The Greek root “tele” means far or distant.

When you see these roots inside a word, they give you clues about what the word means.

How to Use Greek and Latin Roots to Find Word Meanings 🧠🔧

  1. Look for the root inside the word. For example, take the word “telephone.” The root “tele” means far, and “phone” means sound or voice. So, a telephone is a device that carries sound from far away.
  2. Break the word into smaller parts. Words often have prefixes (beginnings), roots (middle), and suffixes (end parts). Each part helps to explain the word. For example, in “predict,” the prefix “pre-” means before, and the root “dict” means to say. So, predict means to say before something happens.
  3. Use a dictionary or a root word list to check meanings. This can confirm if you guessed the meaning correctly.

Examples of Common Greek and Latin Roots in Year 6 English 📖

  • “bio” (Greek) means life: example words include biology (the study of life) and biography (a written life story).
  • “auto” (Greek) means self: autograph (someone writes their own name).
  • “scrib” or “script” (Latin) means write: describe (to write or say what something is like).
  • “port” (Latin) means carry: transport (to carry something across).
  • “spect” (Latin) means see or look: inspect (to look carefully).

How This Helps With Unfamiliar Vocabulary 💡📚

When you come across a word you don’t know in a book or test, try finding any Greek or Latin root you recognise. If you spot a root like “spect” inside the word “spectator”, you can guess it has something to do with looking or watching. A spectator is someone who watches an event.

Study Tips for Learning Greek and Latin Roots 📋📝

  • Make flashcards with roots on one side and meanings on the other.
  • Group words by their roots to see patterns.
  • Try to use new words with Greek or Latin roots in your writing and speaking.
  • Practice breaking down new words into parts to get clues about their meanings.

By understanding Greek and Latin roots, you can unlock the meanings of many words and become even better at reading and writing in Year 6 and beyond! 🎉

20 Examination-Style Questions with Answers on Greek and Latin Roots for Year 6 📝✅

  1. What does the prefix “bio-” mean in the word “biology”?
    Answer: Life
  2. The word “audience” comes from the Latin root “aud,” meaning what?
    Answer: To hear or listen
  3. If “tele” means “far,” what does “telephone” mean?
    Answer: A device to hear sounds from far away
  4. The root “rupt” means “break.” What does “interrupt” mean?
    Answer: To break into or disturb
  5. The prefix “auto-” means “self.” What does “autograph” mean?
    Answer: A person’s own signature
  6. The root “scrib/script” means “write.” What does “describe” mean?
    Answer: To write down or explain in words
  7. “Micro” means “small.” What does “microscope” do?
    Answer: It helps you see small things
  8. The Latin root “port” means “carry.” What does “transport” mean?
    Answer: To carry something from one place to another
  9. The root “spect” means “look.” What does “inspect” mean?
    Answer: To look carefully at something
  10. If “graph” means “write,” what does “graphic” mean?
    Answer: Something written or drawn
  11. The prefix “sub-” means “under.” What does “submarine” mean?
    Answer: A vehicle that goes under the sea
  12. The root “ject” means “throw.” What does “eject” mean?
    Answer: To throw out
  13. The prefix “pre-” means “before.” What does “preview” mean?
    Answer: To see something before it happens or is shown
  14. The root “therm” means “heat.” What does “thermometer” measure?
    Answer: Temperature or heat
  15. The prefix “multi-” means “many.” What does “multicultural” mean?
    Answer: Involving many cultures
  16. The root “vis/vid” means “see.” What does “video” mean?
    Answer: A recording of moving images you can see
  17. The prefix “anti-” means “against.” What does “antibiotic” mean?
    Answer: Medicine that fights against bacteria or infection
  18. The root “phon” means “sound.” What does “phonics” help with?
    Answer: Learning sounds to read and speak
  19. The prefix “circum-” means “around.” What does “circumference” mean?
    Answer: The distance around a circle
  20. The root “form” means “shape.” What does “transform” mean?
    Answer: To change shape or form

These 20 examination-style questions with answers will help Year 6 students understand how Greek and Latin roots can determine the meanings of words. Try creating your own sentences with these words to practise! ✍️📘