Root Meanings
Decode the Word
Language Logic
Mythology Clues
Romulus and Remus Story
100
Question: What does the root aqua mean?
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Answer: water
100
Question: You know aqua = water. What might aquatic mean?
Answer: related to water / living in water.
100
Question: Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, and Romanian are called Romance languages. What does “Romance” mean here?
Answer: They came from the language of Rome: Latin.
100
Question: I rule the gods and am connected with thunder and lightning. Who am I?
Answer: Zeus / Jupiter.
100
Question: Which animal is famous for caring for Romulus and Remus as babies?
Answer: A she-wolf.
200
Question: What does the root bio mean?
Answer: life
200
Question: You know bio = life. What might antibiotic have to do with?
Answer: life/living things; it works against harmful living organisms like bacteria.
200
Question: Latin gratias, Spanish gracias, and English gratitude all look similar. What does this prove?
Answer: Words in different languages can share the same root or ancestor.
200
Question: I am connected with wisdom, strategy, and the owl. Who am I?
Answer: Athena / Minerva.
200
Question: Romulus and Remus were brothers. What kind of brothers were they?
Answer: Twins.
300
Question: What does the root geo mean?
Answer: earth
300
Question: You know geo = earth. What might geology study?
Answer: the earth, rocks, land, or what the earth is made of.
300
Question: English is not a Romance language. So why does English still have so many Latin-based words?
Answer: English borrowed many words from Latin and from Latin-influenced languages like French.
300
Question: I am connected with oceans, storms, and horses. Who am I?
Answer: Poseidon / Neptune.
300
Question: Romulus and Remus are connected to the founding of what city?
Answer: Rome.
400
Question: What does graph mean?
Answer: write, draw, or describe
400
Question: You know phone = sound/voice. What might phonics have to do with?
Answer: sounds in language / how letters make sounds.
400
Question: In Latin, nomen means name. Explain how nominate connects to nomen.
Answer: To nominate someone is to name them for a position or award.
400
Question: I move quickly and carry messages for the gods. Who am I?
Answer: Hermes / Mercury.
400
Question: What conflict happens between Romulus and Remus?
Answer: They argue over where or how to found the city, and Romulus kills Remus.
500
Question: What do tele and phone mean?
Answer: tele = far; phone = sound or voice
500
Question: A phonograph was an old machine that recorded and played sound. Which root tells you it has to do with sound?
Answer: phone = sound/voice.
500
Question: A Code-Breaker sees the word geothermal for the first time. If geo = earth and therm = heat, what should they guess?
Answer: It has to do with heat from the earth.
500
Question: I am a monster connected to a labyrinth. A hero has to enter the maze to face me. Who am I?
Answer: The Minotaur.
500
Question: Why would Romans tell a story about their city being founded by twins raised by a wolf?
Answer: To make Rome’s beginning seem powerful, heroic, unusual, and connected to strength.