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?

(Click here to see the answers!)

1. (worsen; embitter) 

2. (momentary; temporary)

3. (habitually silent; talking little)

4. (occurring irregularly)

5. (forceful; impetuous)

Use Words in Sentences

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

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1. Don’t ________ that sprain by walking on it!

2. New Englanders are reputedly _________ people.

3. Some hotels cater to a _________ trade.

4. “Give me liberty, or give me death”, he cried with ________ 
     ardor.

5. Although the game was over, _________ outbursts were 
     still heard.

Latin Root Words

67% of all English words originate from Latin.  

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

1. exacerbate (worsen; embitter) 

2. transient  (momentary; temporary)

3. taciturn (habitually silent; talking little)

4. sporadic (occurring irregularly)

5. vehement (forceful; impetuous)

1. Don’t exacerbate that sprain by walking on it!

2. New Englanders are reputedly taciturn people.

3. Some hotels cater to a transient trade.

4. “Give me liberty, or give me death”, he cried with vehement 
    ardor.

5. Although the game was over, sporadic outbursts were 
     still heard.

Latin Root Words

vehement (forceful; impetuous) comes from the Latin word 
vehementer meaning intense, strong, powerful.

taciturn (habitually silent; talking little) comes from the Latin word 
tacitus meaning silent.

transient (momentary; temporary) comes from the Latin word 
transire meaning to go across, over.

sporadic (occurring irregularly) comes from the Medieval Latin 
word sporadicus (which is from the Greek sporadikos) 
meaning scattered.

exacerbate (worsen; embitter) comes from the Latin word 
exacerbare meaning to aggravate, make harsh.