As Many As You Can

Worksheet Description

This worksheet is titled “Root Words” and is designed to enhance students’ vocabulary by exploring the Greek and Latin roots that form the basis of many English words. An image of a classic pillar at the top right corner evokes the ancient origins of these linguistic elements.

Students are given six root words, each with its meaning in parentheses: “oli” (other), “bat” (beat), “brev” (short), “pel” (drive, force), “rhin” (nose), and “sect” (cut). The task set before them is to use these roots creatively by adding prefixes and/or suffixes to generate new words.

Each root word is presented with several blank lines where students are invited to expand upon the root by forming new words. This exercise challenges them to apply their knowledge of word parts and to explore how different prefixes and suffixes alter the meaning of the root. The worksheet encourages linguistic exploration and creativity, prompting learners to think about the nuances of English word formation.

By engaging with this activity, students not only learn new vocabulary but also gain the ability to infer the meanings of complex words by breaking them down into their components. This skill is particularly useful in enhancing reading comprehension and developing a richer, more precise language use.