Skill and Form number: Word Origins #1
Word Origins
Many English words and word parts can be traced back to Latin and Greek. By learning
what parts of words mean, you can figure out the meanings of bigger words that you
might not know at first glance. Look at the chart below, and then answer the question.
Latin & Greek
Latin & Greek
Meaning
Meaning
Word Part
Word Part
a
without
paleo
ancient
anthro
humans; people
path
feeling
bio
life
phil
love
contra
against
phon
sound
dict
to say
photo
light
graph
picture
poly
many
hemi
half
pseudo
false
logue
talk or a speech
scope
to see
micro
small
script
to write
mis
to hate
somna
sleep
mono
one; alone
spir
to breathe
neo
new
tele
from a distance
pac
peace
terras
earth
1. Knowing the meaning of the Greek roots mono and logue helps the reader understand
that monologue means
A. a picture of a group of people.
B. a piece of ancient writing.
C. a long speech by one person.
D. a device for small sounds.
2. Identify the meaning of the root word underlined within the following word: revolve
A. to close
C. to roll
B. to mix
D. to speak
3. Which of the choices correctly describes a person who is semi-retired?
A. The person is officially retired.
B. The person has been retired for a very long time.
C. The person has partly retired, but still works sometimes.
D. The person works full time and is not considered retired at all.
4. If a statue is made out of wood, which of these words correctly describes the statue?
A. Wooded
C. woody
B. Wooden
D. non-wood
5.
The beginning of the 21st century has not seen the kind of exciting "space age" gadgets that
some people predicted long ago. But that could change as the speed of technological development
keeps increasing and people care more and more about how they live and how they spend their free
time.
Which word from the passage means "said before"?
A. increasing
C. development
B. predicted
D. technological
Skill and Form number: Word Origins #1
The new downtown hotel is really lavish. It is a skyscraper with an expensive restaurant on the top
floor. Even the lobby is plush. Before you can enter, you have to pass through a foyer decorated with
fancy artwork. The vestibule to the convention center features classic statues and a working fountain
with living fish.
6. What does the word "vestibule" most likely mean?
A. a passage to the parking deck of a building
B. a passage to the garage of a building
C. a passage between the outer door and the inside of a building
D. a hallway to the dressing room of a building
7. From what language does the word "foyer" originate?
A. German
C. Gaelic
B. French
D. Italian
The buffet bar in the restaurant seemed to go on for miles. The smell of the freshly cooked food
made everyone in line hungry. The sneeze guard kept people, like the skinny man with a badge and
wig, from spreading germs. Misty remembered the same kind of line during lunch when she was in
kindergarten. She, her friends, and other students lined up, all wearing their scarlet-colored uniforms,
so it looked like a long cobra snaking around the cafeteria.
The sounds of a guitar strummed in the distance. Misty could see a roaming mariachi band in the
patio, making its way into the building. While it amused her, her mind was on the badge-wearing
skinny man. He prowled in the line like a jackal, topping his plate with food, not leaving a single scrap
for anyone else in line. It's all you can eat, Misty thought to herself, not all you can carry! How can he
even eat all that food? He's as skinny as a promise!
Finally, the badge man skulked away into the throng of people clouding the dining room like an
alligator slinking back into the depths of a swamp. Had he left any food? she thought to herself.
8.
The sounds of a guitar strummed in the distance.
The word guitar originates from
A. German.
C. Chinese
B. Spanish.
D. Arabic
9.
She, her friends, and other students lined up, all wearing their scarlet-colored uniforms, so it looked
like a long cobra snaking around the cafeteria.
The word scarlet originates from
A. Chinese.
C. Persian
B. German.
D. Spanish
10.
The smell of the freshly cooked food made everyone in line hungry.
Which French word means the same thing as food?
A. Grub
B. Cuisine
C. hungry
D. chow
Skill and Form number: Word Origins #1
Answers
1. C
2. C
3. C
4. B
5. B
6. C
7. B
8. B
9. C
10. B
Explanations
1. "Mono" is a root meaning "one," and "logue" is a root meaning "speech." The
definition that best reflects these meanings is "a long speech by one person."
2. To revolve is to spin or rotate. A revolution is a turning over of power.
3. The prefix semi- means "half" or "partly," not "fully."
4. The suffix -en means "made of."
5. The prefix pre- means "before," and the root -dictum- means "something said."
6. "Vestibule" comes from the Latin word "vestibulum" and means "a passage, hall, or
room between the outer door and the interior of a building." Think about what other
words come from other languages as you go about your day.
7. The word "foyer" comes from French, meaning "an entrance hallway." Think about
what other words come from other languages as you go about your day.
8. The word guitar is a Spanish word. In Spanish, "guitar" is "la guitarra." Many foreign
words from other countries have made their way into the English language in literature,
advertising, and conversation.
9. The word scarlet is a Persian word. It refers to a red color. Many foreign words from
other countries have made their way into the English language in literature, advertising,
and conversation.
10. The word cuisine is a French word that means "food." Many foreign words from
other countries have made their way into the English language in literature, advertising,
and conversation.