Root Words Quiz
1 / 15Discover the Greek and Latin roots behind everyday English words!
15 quick questionsNo sign-upFree to playTap an answer below to begin ↓
The Latin root 'aqua' means what?
About Root Words Quiz
Root Words Quiz is a free word games quiz with 15 multiple-choice questions with a mix of 5 easy, 5 medium, 5 hard questions. Discover the Greek and Latin roots behind everyday English words! A typical run takes about 7 minutes, hints are always one tap away, and your streak ticks up the first time you finish a game on a given day.
A few sample questions
1. The Latin root 'aqua' means what?
Answer: Water
The Latin root 'aqua' means water. It appears in words like aquarium (a water tank for fish), aqueduct (a water channel), and aquatic (relating to water).
2. What does the Greek root 'photo' mean?
Answer: Light
The Greek root 'photo' (from 'phos') means light. It appears in photograph (writing with light), photosynthesis (putting together with light), and photon (a particle of light).
3. The Latin root 'scrib' or 'script' means what?
Answer: To write
The Latin root 'scrib/script' means to write. It gives us words like describe, manuscript (written by hand), prescription, and scripture.
4. What does the Greek root 'bio' mean?
Answer: Life
The Greek root 'bio' means life. It appears in biology (the study of life), biography (writing about a life), and antibiotic (against life — referring to bacteria).
5. The Latin root 'port' means what?
Answer: To carry
The Latin root 'port' means to carry. It appears in transport (carry across), portable (able to be carried), import (carry in), and export (carry out).
Things you'll learn along the way
- The Greek root 'chron' (from 'chronos') means time. It gives us chronological (in time order), chronic (lasting a long time), and synchronize (happening at the same time).
- The Latin root 'dict' means to say or speak. It appears in dictionary (a book of spoken words), dictate (to speak for someone to write), and predict (to say before).
- The Greek root 'geo' means earth. It gives us geography (writing about the earth), geology (study of the earth), and geometry (originally meaning 'earth measurement').
Frequently asked questions
How many questions are in Root Words Quiz?
Root Words Quiz has 15 multiple-choice questions. Each one has four answer options and an explanation that appears after you answer, so you learn something even when you miss.
Is Root Words Quiz free to play?
Yes. The entire SeniorBrainGames catalog — including Root Words Quiz — is free, with no sign-up required, no time limits, and no ads on top of the game. It also works offline once the page has loaded once.
How long does Root Words Quiz take?
Most players finish Root Words Quiz in about 7 minutes. You can pause between questions, replay it as often as you like, and there is no penalty for taking your time — answers are explained after you submit them.
What's a good follow-up after Root Words Quiz?
If you enjoyed this word games quiz, try the Daily Challenge — five rotating questions, refreshed every 24 hours, that count toward your streak. You can also use the Surprise Me button on the homepage to land on a different game type for variety.
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