Russian Loanwords in English

Name:

Date:

Instructions: From cosmonaut to mammoth, discover the fascinating Russian words that have entered the English language!

1.
The word 'cosmonaut' comes from Russian. What does the 'kosmo' part mean?
A
Rocket
B
Heavenly
C
Space traveler
D
Universe or cosmos
2.
Which English word for a vast treeless plain comes from the Russian 'step'?
A
Tundra
B
Steppe
C
Prairie
D
Savanna
3.
The word 'tsar' (or czar) comes from Russian. It ultimately derives from which Latin name?
A
Augustus
B
Rex
C
Imperator
D
Caesar
4.
Which English word for a type of frozen Arctic landscape comes from the Russian adaptation of a Sami word?
A
Permafrost
B
Glacier
C
Tundra
D
Taiga
5.
The word 'mammoth' entered English from Russian. The Russian 'mamont' likely came from which language?
A
Greek
B
Finnish
C
Tatar or Siberian languages
D
Latin
6.
Which word for a Russian country house or cottage is used in English?
A
Kremlin
B
Dacha
C
Troika
D
Izba
7.
The word 'vodka' is a Russian diminutive. What is it a diminutive of?
A
Voda (water)
B
Vozdukh (air)
C
Volk (wolf)
D
Vino (wine)
8.
Which English word for a set of nested dolls comes from the Russian name 'Matryona'?
A
Babushka doll
B
Matryoshka
C
Nesting figure
D
Russian doll
9.
The word 'sputnik' was famously used for the first artificial satellite. What does 'sputnik' literally mean in Russian?
A
Star traveler
B
Flying object
C
Traveling companion
D
Space ball
10.
Which word for a three-horse-drawn vehicle or a group of three comes from Russian?
A
Droshky
B
Telega
C
Tarantass
D
Troika
11.
The word 'intelligentsia' was borrowed from Russian. What does it refer to?
A
A university system
B
A government council
C
The educated and intellectual elite of society
D
A spy network
12.
Which English word for the Russian fortified complex in Moscow is also used to mean any center of power?
A
Kremlin
B
Fortress
C
Palace
D
Citadel
13.
The word 'samovar' is Russian. What does it literally mean?
A
Steam urn
B
Hot water pot
C
Self-boiler
D
Tea maker
14.
Which word for a type of northern forest biome comes from Russian?
A
Tundra
B
Boreal
C
Taiga
D
Steppe
15.
The word 'pogrom' entered English from Russian. What does it mean?
A
A government decree
B
A military parade
C
A public trial
D
An organized massacre or persecution

Answer Key

Question 1

D. Universe or cosmos

Question 2

B. Steppe

Question 3

D. Caesar

Question 4

C. Tundra

Question 5

C. Tatar or Siberian languages

Question 6

B. Dacha

Question 7

A. Voda (water)

Question 8

B. Matryoshka

Question 9

C. Traveling companion

Question 10

D. Troika

Question 11

C. The educated and intellectual elite of society

Question 12

A. Kremlin

Question 13

C. Self-boiler

Question 14

C. Taiga

Question 15

D. An organized massacre or persecution

Find more free puzzles and brain games at www.SeniorBrainGames.org