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Quizzes > High School Quizzes > English Language Arts

Practice Quiz: Identifying Root Words

Boost your language skills with targeted practice

Difficulty: Moderate
Grade: Grade 4
Study OutcomesCheat Sheet
Colorful paper art promoting Root Word Rumble, a vocabulary quiz for middle school students.

This root word quiz helps you spot the base in each word fast. Work through 20 quick questions with prefixes and suffixes, pick the root, and see where you're strong or need review. Use it to practice for class or a vocab test, and build stronger reading and spelling skills along the way.

Which of the following is a root word?
Play
Played
Replay
Player
The word 'play' is presented in its basic form without any added prefixes or suffixes, making it the root word. The other choices modify this base word and therefore are not the pure root form.
What is the definition of a root word?
A word that carries the main meaning without affixes
A compound word
A word that always has a prefix or suffix
A complete sentence
A root word is the basic part of a word that contains the primary meaning. It is the form to which prefixes and suffixes are added to create new words.
Which option is a true root word from the following choices?
Happiness
Unhappy
Happy
Happily
The word 'happy' stands alone as a root word, while the alternatives are modified forms with added prefixes or suffixes. Recognizing the unaltered base is key to identifying root words.
Identify the root in the word 'preview'.
Review
View
Pre
Vie
In the word 'preview', the prefix 'pre-' is added to the root word 'view'. Removing the prefix reveals the core meaning of seeing or observing.
Select the base word that forms the foundation of commonly derived words.
Perform
Inform
Transformation
Form
The word 'form' is the core element from which many other words are derived by adding prefixes or suffixes. It serves as the basic structure for words that describe making or shaping.
Identify the root word in 'transportation'.
Transportation
Ation
Port
Trans
The word 'transportation' is built with the prefix 'trans-' and the suffix '-ation', leaving 'port' as the root word meaning 'to carry'. This base conveys the fundamental idea behind the word.
Identify the root word in 'disagreeable'.
Dis
Disagree
Able
Agree
Removing the negative prefix 'dis-' and the suffix '-able' from 'disagreeable' reveals 'agree' as the root word. This base word holds the central meaning related to concurrence.
In the word 'unbelievable', which is the root word?
Un
Able
Believable
Believe
The term 'unbelievable' is formed by attaching 'un-' and '-able' to the root word 'believe'. The core meaning of having faith or trust in something is captured by 'believe'.
What is the root word in 'subscription'?
Ion
Subscribe
Sub
Script
The word 'subscription' is segmented into the prefix 'sub-', the root 'script' meaning 'to write', and the suffix '-ion'. The essential meaning is held in 'script', making it the correct root.
Select the word that uses a prefix to modify the root 'cycle' indicating three.
Tricycle
Unicycle
Bicycle
Cycle
The prefix 'tri-' means three, which when combined with the root 'cycle' forms 'tricycle'. This clearly distinguishes it from other forms of cycles that indicate different quantities.
In the word 'misinterpretation', which is the root word?
Misinterpret
Interpret
Mis
Tation
Removing the prefix 'mis-' and the suffix '-ation' from 'misinterpretation' leaves the word 'interpret', which carries the meaning of explaining or understanding. This extraction pinpoints the root word.
Identify the root word in 'reconstruction'.
Construe
Re
Reconstruction
Construct
The term 'reconstruction' is composed of the prefix 're-', the suffix '-ion', and the root word 'construct', which means to build. The root 'construct' is the fundamental element that holds the meaning.
What is the root word in 'manuscript' that signifies writing?
Scribe
Manu
Script
Manuscript
In 'manuscript', although 'manu-' means hand, it is 'script' that provides the meaning of writing. This root word is central to understanding the formation of the term.
Identify the root word in 'biology' that refers to life.
Bios
Biology
Logy
Bio
The segment 'bio' is derived from Greek and means life, which is the key concept in 'biology'. The suffix '-logy' merely indicates the study of a subject, making 'bio' the correct root.
Determine the root word in 'prehistoric'.
Prehistoric
Historic
History
Pre
By stripping away the prefix 'pre-' and the adjective ending, the underlying root 'history' is revealed. This core element carries the meaning related to past events.
Analyze the structure of 'antidisestablishmentarianism' and identify its root word.
Arianism
Anti
Establishment
Establish
Despite the word's complexity, the core idea centers on 'establish', which means to set up or found. The additional prefixes and suffixes simply modify this base meaning.
Identify the root word in 'inconceivable' and describe its key meaning.
Conceive
Conceivable
Able
In
The word 'inconceivable' is built around the root 'conceive', which means to form an idea. The prefix 'in-' negates the meaning and the suffix '-able' turns it into an adjective, leaving 'conceive' as the central element.
What does the root 'dict' mean in words such as 'predict' and 'dictionary'?
Write
Read
Listen
Speak
The Latin root 'dict' means 'to speak' or 'to say', which is evident in words like 'predict' and 'dictionary'. Recognizing this root helps in understanding the etymology of many related words.
From the word 'biodegradable', identify the root word that conveys the primary action.
Bio
Degrade
Biodegrade
Able
In 'biodegradable', removing the prefix 'bio-' (which suggests a relation to life) and the suffix '-able' leaves the root 'degrade', meaning to break down. This root word forms the basis of the word's overall meaning.
Determine the root word in 'autobiography' that relates to the act of writing.
Graph
Bio
Auto
Graphy
In the word 'autobiography', 'graph' is the root that means 'to write'. The prefixes 'auto-' (self) and 'bio-' (life) set the context, while the suffix '-graphy' denotes the process, but 'graph' remains the essential element.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify common root words in vocabulary terms.
  2. Analyze word structures to differentiate between roots and affixes.
  3. Apply knowledge of root words to decipher unfamiliar words.
  4. Synthesize word components to support language comprehension and test preparation.

Root Word Quiz: Which is the Root? Cheat Sheet

  1. Identify root words - Root words are the heart of vocabulary that carry the core meaning. Spotting "act" in words like "react" and "action" helps you decode new terms and boosts your confidence.
  2. Spot Latin and Greek origins - Many English roots come from Latin and Greek, giving clues about word meanings. For instance, "aqua" (Latin for water) shows up in "aquarium" and swimmers' "aquatic" adventures.
  3. Master common Latin roots - Grasp powerful Latin roots like "bene," which means "good." You'll see "benefit" and "benign" pop up in everyday reading, enhancing your appreciation for word history.
  4. Dive into Greek roots - Greek roots like "bio" (life) power words such as "biology" and "biography." Recognizing these helps you piece together complex vocabulary with ease.
  5. Differentiating roots and bases - Base words can stand alone, but some roots need affixes to form words. While "act" works solo, "aud" (hear) relies on additions like "-ible" to become "audible." Exploring this makes word-building feel like a fun puzzle.
  6. Harness prefixes and suffixes - Tiny additions can flip meanings completely. Attach "un-" to "friendly" and you get "unfriendly," turning a bud into a buddy with a twist!
  7. Know standalone versus bound roots - Certain roots, like "friend," can shine on their own, while others, like "ject" (throw), need prefixes or suffixes to form full words (think "reject"). This helps you spot why some words look incomplete without extra letters.
  8. Practice dissecting complex words - Break down big words to their pieces to unlock hidden meanings. In "transportation," "port" means "carry," turning a long term into a simple story.
  9. Decode unfamiliar words - When you spot "bio" and recall it means "life," you instantly grasp that "biosphere" refers to Earth's life-filled zone. This skill transforms reading from guesswork into a puzzle you solve like a pro.
  10. Reinforce learning with exercises - Matching roots with meanings cements your memory and sharpens your vocabulary toolkit. Dive into fun worksheets and quizzes to keep your brain buzzing.
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