Using the English Language

Roots of Words

Clues to the meaning of a word can be found in the parts which make up a word. When words share similar parts, they may share similar roots and meanings:

Legis (from Latin word for "law") -- legislative, legislate, legislature, legislator

Execut (from French word for "to perform") -- executive, executor, execute, execution

Judic (from Latin word for "to judge") -- judicial, judiciary, judicious, judge, judgment

Complete these sentences using words listed above:

  1. The __________ branch of the government decides lawsuits.
  2. The members of Congress __________ environmental standards for the country.
  3. The President is required to ____________ the programs approved by Congress.
  4. A decision made by the judiciary is called a ________________.
  5. A governor is the chief _____________ of a state.
  6. My _____________ had a meeting to tell the voters about a new law.
This English language exercise is taken from Chapter 4 of Community Life in the USA Book 1. Copyright 1997, Federal Way Branch, American Association of University Women.

Federal Way ESL Project
PO Box 24494
Federal Way, WA 98093.