Download Root Words and Affixes Activities and Answer Key

Study Island - Root Words and Affixes
Standard
GA Grade 7, ELA Standard
ELACC7L4
Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 7 reading
and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.
a.
b.
c.
d.
Use context (e.g., the overall meaning of a sentence or paragraph; a word’s position or function in a sentence) as a
clue to the meaning of a word or phrase.
Use common, grade-appropriate Greek or Latin affixes and roots as clues to the meaning of a word (e.g., belligerent,
bellicose, rebel).
Consult general and specialized reference materials (e.g., dictionaries, glossaries, thesauruses), both print and
digital, to find the pronunciation of a word or determine or clarify its precise meaning or its part of speech.
Verify the preliminary determination of the meaning of a word or phrase (e.g., by checking the inferred meaning in
context or in a dictionary).
Copyright © 2014 Edmentum - All rights reserved.
Generation Date: 02/04/2014
Generated By: Shenica Bridges-Mathieu
1. Using your knowledge of prefixes, suffixes, and word roots, answer the question.
Khalid studies astrophysics at a university in Illinois.
Which textbook does Khalid most likely use if he studies astrophysics?
A. Animals of the Sea
B. Surviving in the Jungle
C. Understanding Stars and Planets
D. How Plants Grow
2. Using your knowledge of prefixes, suffixes, and word roots, answer the question.
In college, Brian joined a fraternity because he enjoys living with his buddies.
What does the word fraternity mean in the sentence above?
A. a brotherhood
B. an athletic center
C. a school for boys
D. a dormitory
3. Identify the meaning of the root word underlined within the following word: revolve
A. to close
B. to speak
C. to roll
D. to mix
4. Some distance runners eat a banana as part of their pre-race ritual. When do they eat a banana?
A. before their race
B. when they win a race
C. during their race
D. after their race
5. How does an animal that is a biped move around?
A. on wings
B. on its stomach
C. on two feet
D. on four legs
6. Using your knowledge of prefixes, suffixes, and word roots, answer the question.
Chemicals from factories along the shore cause pollution for marine wildlife.
What does the word marine mean in the sentence above?
A. a color between blue and green
B. having to do with the sea
C. animals hurt by certain chemicals
D. having to do with factories
7. Identify the meaning of the root word underlined within the following word: temporary
A. hand
B. move
C. roll
D. time
8. A person who is characterized by joy can be described as
A. joyless.
B. enjoyable.
C. joyous.
D. enjoyment.
9.
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. predicted
B. increasing
C. technological
D. development
10. Using your knowledge of prefixes, suffixes, and word roots, answer the question.
Using the periscope, we could see everything on all sides of the ship.
What does the prefix peri- mean in the word periscope?
A. half
B. far
C. around
D. center
11. Using your knowledge of prefixes, suffixes, and word roots, answer the question.
We sat in a semicircle and watched the instructor at the front of the room.
What does the word semicircle mean in the sentence above?
A. small circle
B. full circle
C. half circle
D. two circles
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
Word Part
Meaning
Latin & Greek
Word Part
Meaning
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
12.
Mischa said that she was apathetic about the entire situation.
In other words, Mischa said that she
A. didn't care about the entire situation.
B. was against the situation.
C. was not involved in the situation.
D. hated the situation.
13.
Dee-Dee didn't want to contradict herself when she spoke to her class, so she
researched her presentation topic thoroughly.
In other words, Dee-Dee did not want to
A. say something without her presentation.
B. say something she hated about what was in her presentation.
C. say something against what she was reporting in her presentation.
D. say something false in what she was reporting in her presentation.
14. What might a person expect from a golf ball that is aerodynamic?
A. It flies through the air.
B. It explodes like dynamite when it is hit.
C. It is very strong.
D. It costs a lot of money.
15. If a statue is made out of wood, which of these words correctly describes the statue?
A. non-wood
B. wooded
C. wooden
D. woody
16. People who suffer from allergies often take a type of medicine called an antihistamine.
What does an antihistamine do?
A. It acts against histamines.
B. It combines with histamines.
C. It increases the amount of histamines.
D. It works with histamines.
17.
Humans use the process of respiration to provide their bodies with the oxygen
they need to metabolize food. Respiration also helps humans get rid of the carbon
dioxide that they do not need.
Judging from your knowledge of Greek and Latin roots, you know that the word "respiration"
refers to
A. light.
B. water.
C. breathing.
D. life.
18. Using your knowledge of prefixes, suffixes, and word roots, answer the question.
Our biology teacher said not to concern ourselves with one small area of the world, but
to think about the entire macrocosm.
What does the word macrocosm mean in the sentence above?
A. a small town
B. the world as a whole
C. specific details
D. rivers and streams
19. Identify the meaning of the prefix underlined within the following word: rename
A. again
B. forward
C. over
D. under
20.
The dialogue in the movie was hard to understand.
In other words, the movie
A. had lights too dim to see.
B. had words that were hard to understand.
C. written without light.
D. had sounds too hard to hear.
21. "That's the most amazing skateboard trick I've ever seen!" my friend Tommy said.
"That's _______!"
A. believable
B. unbelievable
C. belief
D. disbelieve
22.
Earth's biosphere includes the air that people breathe, the land on which they
live, the rocks that cover the land, and the water that covers much of the earth's surface.
Using your knowledge of Greek and Latin roots, what is the meaning of the word biosphere in
the passage above?
A. the earth's crust
B. a polluted part of the earth
C. any self-regulating system
D. the part of the earth where life exists
23. Identify the meaning of the root word underlined within the following word: description
A. move
B. close
C. mix
D. write
24.
Arthur Renway is considered one of the state's leaders known for his philanthropy.
In other words, Arthur Renway is
A. one who loves peace.
B. one who loves his fellow humans.
C. one who loves the Earth.
D. one who loves sleep.
25. Identify the meaning of the root word underlined within the following word: graduation
A. to hear
B. to step
C. to speak
D. to weigh
26. Identify the meaning of the root word underlined within the following word: active
A. do, move
B. to roll
C. close, end
D. write
27. Using your knowledge of prefixes, suffixes, and word roots, answer the question.
The bear was dormant, but Karen knew he might awake at any time.
What does the word dormant mean in the sentence above?
A. flexible
B. angry
C. distant
D. inactive
28.
Charles Lindbergh was born on February 4, 1902, in Detroit, Michigan. In 1919
Lindbergh completed the first nonstop solo airplane flight across the Atlantic Ocean. In
his single-engine monoplane, Spirit of St. Louis, Lindbergh left Roosevelt Field in New
York City at 7:52 A.M. on May 20, 1927. After a flight of 33 hours 32 minutes, he landed
at Le Bourget Airport near Paris, France.
Which word correctly describes Lindbergh's flight?
A. preatlantic
B. interatlantic
C. subatlantic
D. transatlantic
29.
Plants use the process of photosynthesis to turn carbon dioxide, water, and
minerals into the oxygen that we humans breathe.
Judging from your knowledge of Greek and Latin roots, you know that the word
"photosynthesis" in the passage above has to do with
A. minerals.
B. light.
C. bacteria.
D. pollution.
30. The United States celebrated its centennial anniversary when it turned 100 in 1876. What
anniversary did it celebrate in 1976?
A. bicentennial
B. unicentennial
C. tricentennial
D. precentennial
31. 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 works full time and is not considered retired at all.
D. The person has partly retired, but still works sometimes.
32. 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 device for small sounds.
C. a long speech by one person.
D. a piece of ancient writing.
33.
Every bibliophile will be happy with the new reading room on the second floor of the
museum. The area is well-lit and filled with books of all kinds.
A bibliophile must be
A. a librarian.
B. a person who sells books.
C. a famous author.
D. a person who loves books.
34. Civilizations of people lived before historical records were written down. What word
describes this time period?
A. posthistoric
B. unhistoric
C. antihistoric
D. prehistoric
35. Using your knowledge of prefixes, suffixes, and word roots, answer the question.
Her stomach felt better after she took an antacid tablet.
What does the word antacid mean in the sentence above?
A. against acid
B. upon acid
C. around acid
D. half acid
36. Using your knowledge of prefixes, suffixes, and word roots, answer the question.
Many schools are beginning to outlaw corporal punishment.
What does the word corporal mean in the sentence above?
A. bodily
B. heated
C. deathly
D. false
37. Using your knowledge of prefixes, suffixes, and word roots, answer the question.
The epicenter of Cary's social life was the theater.
What does the word epicenter mean in the sentence above?
A. heated room
B. star gazing
C. focal point
D. large area
38. Identify the meaning of the prefix underlined within the following word: foreclose
A. over
B. after
C. before
D. since
39. Based on the Greek or Latin roots in the names of these cities, which one of these cities is
known as "the city of brotherly love"?
A. Los Angeles
B. Laredo
C. Grand Rapids
D. Philadelphia
40.
Whatever happened to those robotic maids promised way back in the 1960s?
Cartoons like "The Jetsons" included all kinds of neat inventions that were expected to
be part of everyday life in the 21st century. Real life in the 21st century is not quite as
amazing as old science fiction shows imagined. However, one of Britain's top
futurologists promises exciting changes on the horizon.
A futurologist is a person who
A. is afraid of the future.
B. studies the future.
C. writes television shows about the future.
D. invents new things.
Answers
1. C
2. A
3. C
4. A
5. C
6. B
7. D
8. C
9. A
10. C
11. C
12. A
13. C
14. A
15. C
16. A
17. C
18. B
19. A
20. B
21. B
22. D
23. D
24. B
25. B
26. A
27. D
28. D
29. B
30. A
31. D
32. C
33. D
34. D
35. A
36. A
37. C
38. C
39. D
40. B
Explanations
1. Astro- is a Greek prefix meaning "star." If Khalid studies astrophysics, he would probably
use a book about stars and planets.
2. Frat is the Latin root for "brother," so fraternity must mean "a brotherhood."
3. To revolve is to spin or rotate. A revolution is a turning over of power.
4. The prefix pre- means "before" (which is why prefixes are called prefixes).
5. Biped is made from the prefix bi-, meaning "two" and the root word -ped-, meaning "feet."
6. Mare is a Latin root meaning "sea." The word marine means "having to do with the sea."
7. Temporary means lasting for a limited time. The tempo of a song has to do with its timing.
8. The suffix -ous means "characterized by."
9. The prefix pre- means "before," and the root -dictum- means "something said."
10. Peri- is a Greek prefix meaning "around" or "about." A periscope is an instrument
containing lenses and mirrors by which an observer (as on a submerged submarine) can get a
view that would otherwise be blocked. In other words, a periscope lets an observer look around
something.
11. Semi- is a Latin prefix meaning "half." A semicircle is half of a circle.
12. "A" means "without;" "path" means "feeling." So "apathy" must mean "without feeling."
Another way of saying "without feeling" is "don't care."
13. "Contra" is a root that means "against." "Dict" is a root that means "to say." When people
contradict themselves, they are saying something opposite or against what they have said or plan
to say.
14. The prefix aero- means "air" or "flight." Only one answer choice mentions "air."
Aerodynamic means "able to fly through the air."
15. The suffix -en means "made of."
16. The structural cue is the prefix anti-, which means "against." So, an antihistamine would
work against histamines.
17. "Spir" is a Greek root meaning "breath." Whether you know the definition of respiration or
not, you can figure out that the word must have something to do with "breathing" because of the
root "spir."
18. Macro- is a Greek prefix meaning "long" or "large." From this prefix, you can guess that a
macrocosm is something large and vast—like the entire world.
19. To rename is to name again.
20. "Logue" is a root meaning "talk or a speech." Even though none of the answer choices
include the word "talk or speech," you know that the answer choice must have something to do
with speech or talk (words being those things that are talked or spoken).
21. The clue is the word "amazing." You can tell that Tommy could not easily believe what he
had seen.
22. "Bio" is a Greek root meaning "life." (Think of the word "biology," meaning "the study of
life.") Whether you know the definition of biosphere or not, you can figure out that the word
must have something to do with "life" because of the root "bio."
23. A movie script is the written text of the movie. A manuscript is a text written by hand. The
prefix manu- means hand.
24. "Phil" is a root meaning "to love." "Anthro" is a root meaning "people or humans." Putting
the two together results in one who loves humans.
25. When you graduate you move on to the next step. A gradual process is one you take step by
step.
26. The word act means to take action or to perform. Of the choices provided, the one that is the
closest to this definition is to "do" or "move."
27. Dorm is a Latin root that means "to sleep." The word dormant means "lying asleep or as if
asleep; inactive."
28. The prefix trans- means "across." Lindbergh completed a "flight across the Atlantic Ocean."
29. "Photo" is a Greek root meaning "light." Whether you know the definition of photosynthesis
or not, you can figure out that the word must have something to do with "light" because of the
root "photo." (Think of the word "photograph." You can't take a photograph without light.)
30. The prefix bi- means two. A bicycle has two wheels.
31. The prefix semi- means "half" or "partly," not "fully."
32. "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."
33. Bibliophile is made up of the root word biblio-, which means "book," and the suffix -phile,
which means "one who loves."
34. The prefix pre- means before.
35. Anti- is a Greek prefix that means "against." Antacid is a medicine that lowers stomach acid.
36. Corp is a Latin root that means "body." Corporal punishment is a punishment to one's body.
Spanking is an example of corporal punishment.
37. Epi- is a Greek prefix that means "upon," "at," or "in addition to"; therefore, the word
epicenter means "at or upon the center"—like a focal point.
38. To foreclose is to settle or resolve beforehand.
39. Philadelphia is made up of the Greek roots philos-, which means "one who loves," and the
root -adelphos-, which means "brother."
40. The root -log- or -logy- means "study." A futurologist is someone who studies the future.