Exercise 2.5. Five Roots

Roots are Latin or Greek words and word parts from which common English words have been built. We ask you to study word roots and to complete the exercises which follow because knowledge of word roots can help you to unlock the meaning of new words and can also improve your ability to use words more accurately and precisely.

Root From Meaning Example

cap(t), cept Latin take, seize intercept

clud, clus Latin close, shut exclude

dic(t) Latin say, speak, word dictaphone

frag, fract Latin break fragile

mit, mis Latin send transmit

1. A transmitter _______________ messages.

2. To _______________ the opposite is to contradict.

3. A recluse is one who _______________ himself off from society.

4. An infraction occurs when a rule is _______________.

5. A person who is receptive to new ideas _______________ them willingly.

6. Conclusive evidence _______________ out any doubt.

7. A missile is _______________ or discharged from a launching pad.

8. An emissary is an agent _______________ on a specific mission.

9. To accept is to _______________ what is offered.

10. A fragile object _______________ easily.

11. When a prisoner has been captured, he has been _______________ by force.

12. A remittance is money _______________ in advance.

13. A dictator's _______________ is law.

14. A fragment is a _______________ piece.

15. To conclude is to bring to a _______________.

16. A _______________ in a bone is called a fracture.

17. To predict is to _______________ in advance or to forecast.

18. To occlude a passage is to _______________ it.

19. Perceptible things can be _______________ in by the senses.

20. A person's manner of _______________ is called diction.

Exercise 2.6. Five Roots

Study the five roots and the examples. In each of the 20 sentences which follow, one of these roots has been used. In the blank in each sentence, fill in the meaning of that root. When more than one meaning is given for a root, choose the one which makes the best sense in the sentence.

Root From Meaning Example

du Latin two dual

prim Latin first primeval

man (u) Latin hand manual

ter (r) Latin land, earth territory

vac Latin empty, free vacant

1. A duet is performed by _______________ singers.

2. Subterranean caverns are beneath the _______________.

3. The primary grades are the _______________ level of formal education.

4. An evacuated city is _______________ of people.

5. A duplex apartment has rooms on _______________ floors.

6. Prime wheat would be _______________ in quality.

7. Many stage personalities employ managers to _______________ their business affairs.

8. A speech filled with vacuities is one full of _______________ or meaningless expressions.

9. Terrain refers to a tract or a region of _______________.

10. A dubious person is considering _______________ alternatives.

11. A _______________ book used in teaching reading is called a primer.

12. Another name for manacle is _______________ cuff.

13. Manufacture originally meant to make by _______________

14.  In law, primogeniture is an exclusive right of inheritance belonging to the _______________ born.

15. A manicure is a treatment of the _______________ and nails.

16. A vacuum is a space _______________ of air or matter.

17. Terrestrial magnetism refers to the _______________'s magnetic force.

18. A vacation is a period of time _______________ from work.

19. To inter is to bury in the _______________.

20. A duplicate is a _______________ copy.

Exercise2.7. Define the part of speech of the following words. Pay attention to the prefixes and suffixes of the words.

essential	efficient
important	activity
successful	inability
improve	inattentiveness
comprehension	attention
illustration	assignment

Exercise 2.8. In each line of four words, one word is different from the other three. Which word is different?

1. unhappy unmarried understand unusual

2. incorrect interesting incredible incomplete

3. dislike disappear disagree discotheque

4. illustration illegal illogical illegible

5. impatient impossible important improbable

6. irregular irritating irrational irresistible

Exercise 2.9. Which word in exercise 2.7 does each of these sentences refer to?

1. This word describes something you can’t read: illegible

2. This word describes something you can’t believe:________________

3. This word describes something you can’t resist:__________________

4. This word describes something which makes you a little angry:____________

5. This word means “sad”:______________

6. This word means “wrong” or “false”:_________________

Exercise 2.10. In the text find and underline the words having common roots with the words given before the text. Define what part of speech they are.

to equip –оборудовать to execute - исполнять

proper – правильный entire – весь, целый

improvement – усовершенствование to contribute – вносить вклад

able – способный

UNICEF

UNICEF, the United Nations International Children’s Fund, is an international organization which was established in 1946. Its primary function is to improve the health and living conditions of those countries which ask for UNICEF assistance. It is governed by the executive board of 30 nations and financed entirely by contribution from both governments and individuals. UNICEF provides equipment and medicine. It provides for children who are unable to obtain the vital food. It teaches mothers how to care properly for the children