The history of words

The history of words

Pencil and paperOnline interactive
Overview
Using this Resource
Connecting to the Curriculum
Marking Student Responses
This task is about the structure of words.
Thousands of our most used words have their origins (roots) in Old English, or in other languages such as French or Latin. 
 
For questions a) to d), read the words and then write the meaning of the circled root word in the space provided.

Question 1Change answer

Read the words and then write the meaning of the circled root word in the space provided.
 
a)  Examples:     circus          circle          circumference

      means ...

Question 1Change answer

Read the words and then write the meaning of the circled root word in the space provided.
 
b)  Examples:       spectacles          inspect

     means ...

Question 1Change answer

Read the words and then write the meaning of the circled root word in the space provided.
 
c)  Examples:       transform          formation          uniform 
     "form" means ...

Question 1Change answer

d)  The table below shows five root words, their meanings, and an example of a word that contains that root word.
     Complete the table by giving two more examples for each root word.
  Root Word Meaning Example 1 Example 2 Example 3
i) mobil to move mobility
ii) dict speak predict
iii) volv to roll evolve
iv) tract to pull attract
v) cent a hundred centenarian
Task administration: 
This task can be completed online or with pencil and paper.
Level:
5
Curriculum info: 
English, Creating meaning, Writing
Key Competencies: 
Using language, symbols, and texts
Keywords: 
vocabulary, root words
Description of task: 
From given examples, students define four root words then complete a chart of root words and their meanings.
Curriculum Links: 
This resource can be used to help to identify students’ ability to create texts to meet the writing demands of the New Zealand Curriculum.
 

Links to the Literacy Learning Progressions for Writing:
This resource helps to identify students’ ability to:
  • demonstrate knowledge of how language works
as described in the Literacy Learning Progressions for Writing at: http://www.literacyprogressions.tki.org.nz/The-Structure-of-the-Progressions.
Learning Progression Frameworks
This resource can provide evidence of learning associated with
Writing meaningful text: vocabulary knowledge, sets 5-7
within the Writing Learning Progressions Frameworks.
Read more about the Learning Progressions Frameworks.
Answers/responses: 

 

  

Y10 (09/2002)
1 mark a)   Circ means 'round' or 'circular'. very easy
1 mark b)   Spec means 'to see'. easy
1 mark c)   Form means 'shape'. difficult

For each root word:
2 marks
(for 2 correct)
or
1 mark
(for 1 correct)

 d)

 
i)
 
 
 
ii)
  
 
 
iii)
 
 
 
iv)
 
 
 
v)

Examples of words:
mobile
automobile
immobile
 
dictionary
dictate
contradict
 
revolve
revolution
involve
 
tractor
subtract
retract
 
centigrade
centurion
centenary
NOTE: Students answers will vary. The most common ones are listed.

 
moderate
 
 
 
moderate
 
 
 
moderate
 
 
 
moderate
 
 
 
moderate