Home / Worksheets / Grade 4 / ELA / Exploring Root Words

Exploring Root Words

A Grade 4 ELA worksheet focusing on understanding and identifying root words and their meanings to build vocabulary.

Grade 4 ELA GrammarPhonicsWord PatternsRoots
Use This Worksheet

Includes

Fill in the BlanksMatchingMultiple ChoiceShort AnswerWord Bank

Standards

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.4.4.bCCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.4.3.a

Topics

ELAGrade 4RootsVocabularyWord PatternsPhonics
7 sections · Free to use · Printable
← More ELA worksheets for Grade 4

Exploring Root Words

Name:

Date:

Score:

Read the instructions for each section carefully and answer all questions.

A root word is a basic word part that carries the main meaning of a word. Other parts, like prefixes and suffixes, can be added to root words to change their meaning.

Underline the root word in each of the following words.

1. unhappy: un py

2. reread: re d

3. quickly:  ly

4. impossible: im ible

5. friendship:  ship

Draw a line to match each root word on the left to its meaning on the right.

1. port

 

a. write

2. aud

 

b. carry

3. script

 

c. see

4. vis

 

d. hear

Circle the letter of the correct root word for each definition.

1. What is the root word that means 'earth'?

a

aqua

b

geo

c

bio

d

tele

2. Which root word means 'water'?

a

therm

b

graph

c

aqua

d

meter

Use the root word 'ject' (meaning 'throw') to create two different words. Then, write a sentence using each of your new words.

1. New Word 1:  

2. New Word 2:  

Use the root words from the bank to complete the sentences below. Each root word will be used once.

cycle
auto
photo
phon

1. The word 'bicycle' has the root word  , meaning 'wheel'.

2. An  graph is a signature written by oneself.

3.  synthesis is the process plants use to make food using light.

4. The word 'telephone' has the root word  , meaning 'sound'.