Please select an activity.

1. Match Meanings                      

2. Use Words in Sentences

3. Latin Root Words

Match Meanings

Can you match the words with their meanings?

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1. (not serious; foolishly self indulgent)

2. (waste away)

3. (a tired, trite old saying)

4. (practical or workable)

5. (long heroic poem or similar work of art)

Use Words in Sentences

Can you correctly use this week's words in the following sentences?

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1. When I finished talking, Dad said, “Thanks, Ted.  I wasn’t in the 
     mood for any _________ excuses.

2. After three months in a cast, Stan’s biceps had _________ somewhat.

3. Vergil’s Aeneid is an __________ which portrays the struggle to found 
    the Roman world.

4. They proposed a _________ plan to build a new stadium.

5. His _________ impressed only the ignorant.

Latin Root Words

67% of all English words originate from Latin.  

Do you know which of this week's words come from Latin?

1. frivolous (not serious; foolishly self indulgent)

2. atrophy (waste away)

3. platitude (a tired, trite old saying)

4. viable (practical or workable) 

5. epic (long heroic poem or similar work of art)

1. When I finished talking, Dad said, “Thanks, Ted.  I wasn’t in the 
     mood for any frivolous excuses.

2. After three months in a cast, Stan’s biceps had atrophied somewhat.

3. Vergil’s Aeneid is an epic which portrays the struggle to found 
    the Roman world.

4. They proposed a viable plan to build a new stadium.

5. His platitudes impressed only the ignorant.

Latin Root Words

atrophy (waste away) comes from the Late Latin word atrophia [Greek
atrophos=ill-nourished].

frivolous (not serious; foolishly self indulgent) comes from the Latin 
word frivolus meaning triffling, worthless.

platitude (a tired, trite old saying) does not come from Latin.

viable (practical or workable) comes from the Latin word  vita
meaning life.

epic (long heroic poem or similar work of art) comes from the Latin
word epicus which is in turn from the Greek epikos < epos meaning 
song.