Vocabulary & Etymology — Drills · Grade 12 English
Chapter: Language, Style & ConventionsWhat these drills covers
By the end of Vocabulary & Etymology you should be able to:
- I can analyze the stacked Greek and Latin morphemes inside a complex word to triangulate its meaning, and use one root to unlock a whole family of related words.
- I can weigh the nuance, connotation, and register of near-synonyms and academic vocabulary, verifying a word's precise sense and etymology in a dictionary before I use it.
2 questions, written answer, each with a worked explanation.
Vocabulary used: etymology, morpheme, etymological doublet, academic (tier-two) vocabulary.
Problem 1
Answer and explanation
Use the surrounding sentence and paragraph to infer a word’s meaning, then check a reliable dictionary when needed. Grammatical role and word parts narrow possibilities but do not guarantee a meaning. Show an actual application before considering the method recalled.
Use the criteria to compare your reasoning, not to copy the model’s wording. A supported alternative interpretation may earn full credit.
Response criteria
- Make an accurate, focused claim or revision.
- Use a relevant detail or a clearly explained language choice.
- Explain the relationship and recognize a relevant limit.
Problem 2
Answer and explanation
Use the sentence’s evidence of uncertainty rather than a judgment about effort. A dictionary can confirm whether the inference fits the word’s usage.
Use the criteria to compare your reasoning, not to copy the model’s wording. A supported alternative interpretation may earn full credit.
Response criteria
- Make an accurate, focused claim or revision.
- Use a relevant detail or a clearly explained language choice.
- Explain the relationship and recognize a relevant limit.