Exploring Root Words
A Grade 8 ELA worksheet focusing on identifying and understanding common Greek and Latin root words, their meanings, and how they contribute to the meaning of English words.
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Exploring Root Words
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Read each question carefully and follow the instructions to demonstrate your understanding of root words.
Use the root words in the bank to complete the definitions and sentences below.
1. The root word means 'good' or 'well'.
2. If a word contains the root , it likely has something to do with 'bad' or 'evil'.
3. The word 'audible' comes from the root , meaning 'to hear'.
4. A ion is a sudden, forceful throwing forward, from the root meaning 'to throw'.
5. A graphy is the story of a person's life, written by that person.
1. Which of the following words contains a root meaning 'to see'?
Auditorium
Benevolent
Vision
Malfunction
2. The word 'portable' contains the root 'port'. What does 'portable' mean?
Able to be heard
Able to be carried
Able to be seen
Able to be thrown
1. The root word 'bio' means 'life'. Explain how this root word contributes to the meaning of the word 'biology'.
2. The word 'autograph' contains two root words: 'auto' (self) and 'graph' (write). Explain how these roots combine to form the meaning of 'autograph'.
Match each root word on the left with its correct meaning on the right.
1. 'rupt'
a. to build
2. 'struct'
b. to break
3. 'aqua'
c. water
4. 'ped'
d. foot
Write a short paragraph (5-7 sentences) using at least three words that contain the root word 'dict' (meaning 'to say' or 'to speak'). Underline each word containing the root 'dict'.