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Reading / Vocabulary / Grade 4 / rv4r1

Word Parts: Meaning Clues

Use a small word part as a clue, then check the whole word.

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Watch the lesson | Practice 2: more meaning clues

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These Greek-derived parts can help with meaning: bio connects with life; geo with Earth; tele with distance; micro with small things. Read the word and its sentence together. A part is not a complete definition, and matching letters do not always form a meaningful part. Use the given word notes; a dictionary or trusted adult can help with other words.

Worked example

Geothermal describes heat inside Earth. Geo supplies the Earth clue; thermal supplies the heat clue. Geo alone would not tell us about heat.

Four labeled meaning clues: bio beside a plant for life, geo beside Earth, tele beside a telescope for distance, and micro beside a chip for small things.
Match the part to a meaning clue. Read the other parts and the sentence too.
Question 1 A biography tells about a person's life. Which meaning clue comes from bio?
Question 2 A geography book describes places and relationships on Earth. What clue does geo supply?
Question 3 Television brings pictures and sound from elsewhere. What clue does tele supply?
Question 4 A microchip holds circuits on a tiny piece of material. What clue does micro supply here?
Question 5 Biology studies living things; a biography tells a person's life story. Does their shared bio make their whole-word meanings identical?