Page 5 Vocabulary


When you read or write scientific or technical information, you may be dealing with terms that are unfamiliar or difficult.

Many words have Latin or Greek roots, prefixes, and suffixes.  For example, can you find the similarity between these three words?
  • apteryx - without wing
  • helicopter - spiral wing
  • pterodactyl - wing finger
You use your knowledge of the meaning and history of familiar words to help you decipher unfamiliar words.



View  the two Spelling videos below.


View the following video about why spelling makes sense.

Consider the history and meaning of the word "doubt." Why is it spelled with a silent b?





One way to approach scientific and technical terms, is to apply what you already know, to help you determine what you do not know.


What is the meaning of biochemistry?

I'm familiar with some other words that start with bio-, such as biology. Biology is the study of living things such as plants and animals. And I know biography, the story of someone's life. Both words have something to do with life, so I'll bet the prefix, bio-, means "life." I also know what chemistry is — the study of chemicals. So, biochemistry has something to do with studying how chemicals affect life.





 Read "Spelling, Capitalization, and Word Building" on pages 302-320 of ResourceLines 7/8.


 

  1. You can research Latin and Greek roots on the Internet or in the dictionary, particularly the Oxford English Dictionary.
  2. Knowing word etymology (study of words and their changing meaning through history) is a powerful tool for word meaning and spelling. 
  3. Making your own personal speller for this course is useful idea. In a notebook, keep a list of words you tend to misspell — but be certain to spell them correctly in your notebook! 
  4. Study your list, and use it when you proofread.



Show What You Know 

In your downloaded assignment file for Lesson 4, complete Sections 1 and 2.  Be sure to save your work.  


When you have completed all parts of Assignment 4,

  • be sure you have renamed your file (YOURNAME) la 8-2-4 
  • upload the completed assignment into the 2.4 Assignment file on the next page.
Check in two to three days to retrieve the marked assignment and review the feedback from your teacher.