Roots List 5 · Part B

Care, belief, place, and strength

Study roots that name culture, sacred belief, community, trust, and endurance.

8 targets with matricesBuild, compare, and explain11 mastery checks

THE GIST

The idea behind these word parts

Roots connect words through shared ideas such as care, city, trust, and lasting. Dur links durable and durability to the ability to last.

Go deeper · how the parts work in context

Durable describes something that lasts through use. Durability names that quality. The ending changes the word’s job, and able becomes abil before -ity: durable → durability.

dur + able + ity → durability

The durability of the baskets allowed families to use them for years.

Durability is the ability to last through use.

Word parts suggest a meaning; the sentence helps confirm it. If the clues are not enough, check a dictionary.

EXPLORE THE WORD PARTS

Meaning, connections, and practice

Choose a word part. Read its gist, explore its map and matrix, then answer its three checks. Open the extra explanation whenever you need it.

How to use a matrix

Leading part + base + ending → word. Choose cells from left to right. Only paths that make one of the listed words are enabled. ∅ means no part is added.

The center can be a root or a whole word. Some cells contain combining forms or grouped endings. Related bases can change spelling, as in scribe/script or mit/miss; follow the spelling notes.

Keep a word for comparison, then select another word to see which parts and meanings changed.

cult

care for

The gist: cultivate means care for plants as they grow. The clue cult connects it to care for.

Why it works · examples & details

The shared clue is the core meaning: care for. Compare cultivate (care for plants as they grow) with agriculture (care for fields and crops). The complete word’s definition is more specific than the word-part clue.

cult + ivate → cultivate
To care for growing plants or develop a skill. It works as a verb in this example.

Meaning & spelling: This is connected to the “grow” sense in Roots 6B.

The map and matrix show established words. Matching letters alone do not prove a meaningful relationship.

Explore cult · map, matrix & checks

cultivatecare for plants as they grow
agriculturecare for fields and crops

Word-family cluster map: cult

Follow one root into related words. Read each connection and explain how the shared meaning develops. Select a word to load its path in the matrix below.

cultcare for

cult + ivateverb

To care for growing plants or develop a skill.
cult + ivate + ionnoun

The process of growing or developing something.

Drop the final silent e before the vowel suffix: cultivate + ion → cultivation.
cult + urenoun

A group’s shared practices, meanings, and ways of life.

Explain the connection: “These words share ___. In ___ it helps mean ___; in ___ it helps mean ___.”

Build with cult 3 word paths

cult: care for. Choose parts from left to right, or choose a word below. Dimmed choices do not continue a word in this matrix.

Prefix / leading part

Root or whole base

Suffix / ending

cult + ivate → cultivate

To care for growing plants or develop a skill.

verb

Compare two paths

cultivate: To care for growing plants or develop a skill.
culture: A group’s shared practices, meanings, and ways of life.

Say which parts stay and which change. Explain how the meaning or word job changes.

Read every word sum and meaning

Word sum	Word	Meaning
cult + ivate	cultivate	To care for growing plants or develop a skill.
cult + ivate + ion	cultivation	The process of growing or developing something.
cult + ure	culture	A group’s shared practices, meanings, and ways of life.

Check your understanding

Use the map and matrix as needed. A wrong answer gives you a clue; try again or open the explanation.

0 of 3 answered correctly

sanct

holy

The gist: sanctuary means a holy or protected place. The clue sanct connects it to holy.

Why it works · examples & details

The shared clue is the core meaning: holy. Compare sanctuary (a holy or protected place) with sanctify (make holy). The complete word’s definition is more specific than the word-part clue.

sanct + ify → sanctify
To make holy or sacred. It works as a verb in this example.

The map and matrix show established words. Matching letters alone do not prove a meaningful relationship.

Explore sanct · map, matrix & checks

sanctuarya holy or protected place
sanctifymake holy

Word-family cluster map: sanct

Follow one root into related words. Read each connection and explain how the shared meaning develops. Select a word to load its path in the matrix below.

sanctholy

sanct + ifyverb

To make holy or sacred.
sanct + ify + ationnoun

The process of making something holy.

Before -ation, -ify takes the form -ific-: sanctify + ation → sanctification.
sanct + uarynoun

A sacred place or place of protection.

Explain the connection: “These words share ___. In ___ it helps mean ___; in ___ it helps mean ___.”

Build with sanct 3 word paths

sanct: holy. Choose parts from left to right, or choose a word below. Dimmed choices do not continue a word in this matrix.

Prefix / leading part

Root or whole base

Suffix / ending

sanct + ify → sanctify

To make holy or sacred.

verb

Compare two paths

sanctify: To make holy or sacred.
sanctuary: A sacred place or place of protection.

Say which parts stay and which change. Explain how the meaning or word job changes.

Read every word sum and meaning

Word sum	Word	Meaning
sanct + ify	sanctify	To make holy or sacred.
sanct + ify + ation	sanctification	The process of making something holy.
sanct + uary	sanctuary	A sacred place or place of protection.

Check your understanding

Use the map and matrix as needed. A wrong answer gives you a clue; try again or open the explanation.

0 of 3 answered correctly

theo

god

The gist: theology means the study of God or religion. The clue theo connects it to god.

Why it works · examples & details

The shared clue is the core meaning: god. Compare theology (the study of God or religion) with theocracy (rule in the name of God or religion). The complete word’s definition is more specific than the word-part clue.

theo + logy → theology
The study of God or religion. It works as a noun in this example.

The map and matrix show established words. Matching letters alone do not prove a meaningful relationship.

Explore theo · map, matrix & checks

theologythe study of God or religion
theocracyrule in the name of God or religion

Word-family cluster map: theo

Follow one root into related words. Read each connection and explain how the shared meaning develops. Select a word to load its path in the matrix below.

theogod

theo + logynoun

The study of God or religion.
theo + log + icaladjective

Related to the study of God or religion.
theo + cracynoun

Government in the name of God or religion.

Explain the connection: “These words share ___. In ___ it helps mean ___; in ___ it helps mean ___.”

Build with theo 3 word paths

theo: god. Choose parts from left to right, or choose a word below. Dimmed choices do not continue a word in this matrix.

Prefix / leading part

Root or whole base

Suffix / ending

theo + logy → theology

The study of God or religion.

noun

Compare two paths

theology: The study of God or religion.
theocracy: Government in the name of God or religion.

Say which parts stay and which change. Explain how the meaning or word job changes.

Read every word sum and meaning

Word sum	Word	Meaning
theo + logy	theology	The study of God or religion.
theo + log + ical	theological	Related to the study of God or religion.
theo + cracy	theocracy	Government in the name of God or religion.

Check your understanding

Use the map and matrix as needed. A wrong answer gives you a clue; try again or open the explanation.

0 of 3 answered correctly

urb

city

The gist: urban means related to a city. The clue urb connects it to city.

Why it works · examples & details

The shared clue is the core meaning: city. Compare urban (related to a city) with suburb (an area outside a city). The complete word’s definition is more specific than the word-part clue.

urb + an → urban
Related to a city. It works as a adjective in this example.

The map and matrix show established words. Matching letters alone do not prove a meaningful relationship.

Explore urb · map, matrix & checks

urbanrelated to a city
suburban area outside a city

Word-family cluster map: urb

Follow one root into related words. Read each connection and explain how the shared meaning develops. Select a word to load its path in the matrix below.

urbcity

urb + anadjective

Related to a city.
sub + urb + anadjective

Related to an area outside a city’s center.
urb + an + izeverb

To make an area more like a city.

Explain the connection: “These words share ___. In ___ it helps mean ___; in ___ it helps mean ___.”

Build with urb 3 word paths

urb: city. Choose parts from left to right, or choose a word below. Dimmed choices do not continue a word in this matrix.

Prefix / leading part

Root or whole base

Suffix / ending

urb + an → urban

Related to a city.

adjective

Compare two paths

urban: Related to a city.
urbanize: To make an area more like a city.

Say which parts stay and which change. Explain how the meaning or word job changes.

Read every word sum and meaning

Word sum	Word	Meaning
urb + an	urban	Related to a city.
sub + urb + an	suburban	Related to an area outside a city’s center.
urb + an + ize	urbanize	To make an area more like a city.

Check your understanding

Use the map and matrix as needed. A wrong answer gives you a clue; try again or open the explanation.

0 of 3 answered correctly

fid

faith or trust

The gist: fidelity means faithfulness. The clue fid connects it to faith or trust.

Why it works · examples & details

The shared clue is the core meaning: faith or trust. Compare fidelity (faithfulness) with confide (trust someone with information). The complete word’s definition is more specific than the word-part clue.

fid + elity → fidelity
Faithfulness to a person, promise, or idea. It works as a noun in this example.

The map and matrix show established words. Matching letters alone do not prove a meaningful relationship.

Explore fid · map, matrix & checks

fidelityfaithfulness
confidetrust someone with information

Word-family cluster map: fid

Follow one root into related words. Read each connection and explain how the shared meaning develops. Select a word to load its path in the matrix below.

fidfaith or trust

fid + elitynoun

Faithfulness to a person, promise, or idea.
con + fideverb

To trust someone with private information.
con + fid + encenoun

Trust in a person or ability.

Explain the connection: “These words share ___. In ___ it helps mean ___; in ___ it helps mean ___.”

Build with fid 3 word paths

fid: faith or trust. Choose parts from left to right, or choose a word below. Dimmed choices do not continue a word in this matrix.

Prefix / leading part

Root or whole base

Suffix / ending

fid + elity → fidelity

Faithfulness to a person, promise, or idea.

noun

Compare two paths

fidelity: Faithfulness to a person, promise, or idea.
confidence: Trust in a person or ability.

Say which parts stay and which change. Explain how the meaning or word job changes.

Read every word sum and meaning

Word sum	Word	Meaning
fid + elity	fidelity	Faithfulness to a person, promise, or idea.
con + fide	confide	To trust someone with private information.
con + fid + ence	confidence	Trust in a person or ability.

Check your understanding

Use the map and matrix as needed. A wrong answer gives you a clue; try again or open the explanation.

0 of 3 answered correctly

ego

self or sense of self

The gist: ego means a person’s sense of self. The clue ego connects it to self or sense of self.

Why it works · examples & details

The shared clue is the core meaning: self or sense of self. Compare ego (a person’s sense of self) with egocentric (centered on oneself). The complete word’s definition is more specific than the word-part clue.

ego → ego
A person’s sense of self. It works as a noun in this example.

Meaning & spelling: The workbook label was clarified from “mind” to “self or sense of self.”

The map and matrix show established words. Matching letters alone do not prove a meaningful relationship.

Explore ego · map, matrix & checks

egoa person’s sense of self
egocentriccentered on oneself

Word-family cluster map: ego

Follow one root into related words. Read each connection and explain how the shared meaning develops. Select a word to load its path in the matrix below.

egoself or sense of self

egonoun

A person’s sense of self.
ego + ismnoun

Concern with one’s own interests.
ego + istnoun

A person mainly concerned with their own interests.

Explain the connection: “These words share ___. In ___ it helps mean ___; in ___ it helps mean ___.”

Build with ego 3 word paths

ego: self or sense of self. Choose parts from left to right, or choose a word below. Dimmed choices do not continue a word in this matrix.

Prefix / leading part

Root or whole base

Suffix / ending

ego → ego

A person’s sense of self.

noun

Compare two paths

ego: A person’s sense of self.
egoist: A person mainly concerned with their own interests.

Say which parts stay and which change. Explain how the meaning or word job changes.

Read every word sum and meaning

Word sum	Word	Meaning
ego	ego	A person’s sense of self.
ego + ism	egoism	Concern with one’s own interests.
ego + ist	egoist	A person mainly concerned with their own interests.

Check your understanding

Use the map and matrix as needed. A wrong answer gives you a clue; try again or open the explanation.

0 of 3 answered correctly

carn

flesh

The gist: carnivore means an animal that eats flesh. The clue carn connects it to flesh.

Why it works · examples & details

The shared clue is the core meaning: flesh. Compare carnivore (an animal that eats flesh) with carnivorous (flesh-eating). The complete word’s definition is more specific than the word-part clue.

carn + ivore → carnivore
An animal that eats meat. It works as a noun in this example.

The map and matrix show established words. Matching letters alone do not prove a meaningful relationship.

Explore carn · map, matrix & checks

carnivorean animal that eats flesh
carnivorousflesh-eating

Word-family cluster map: carn

Follow one root into related words. Read each connection and explain how the shared meaning develops. Select a word to load its path in the matrix below.

carnflesh

carn + ivorenoun

An animal that eats meat.
carn + ivor + ousadjective

Meat-eating.
in + carn + ateadjective

Given a bodily form.

Explain the connection: “These words share ___. In ___ it helps mean ___; in ___ it helps mean ___.”

Build with carn 3 word paths

carn: flesh. Choose parts from left to right, or choose a word below. Dimmed choices do not continue a word in this matrix.

Prefix / leading part

Root or whole base

Suffix / ending

carn + ivore → carnivore

An animal that eats meat.

noun

Compare two paths

carnivore: An animal that eats meat.
incarnate: Given a bodily form.

Say which parts stay and which change. Explain how the meaning or word job changes.

Read every word sum and meaning

Word sum	Word	Meaning
carn + ivore	carnivore	An animal that eats meat.
carn + ivor + ous	carnivorous	Meat-eating.
in + carn + ate	incarnate	Given a bodily form.

Check your understanding

Use the map and matrix as needed. A wrong answer gives you a clue; try again or open the explanation.

0 of 3 answered correctly

dur

hard or lasting

The gist: durable means hard-wearing and long-lasting. The clue dur connects it to hard or lasting.

Why it works · examples & details

The shared clue is the core meaning: hard or lasting. Compare durable (hard-wearing and long-lasting) with endure (last through hardship). The complete word’s definition is more specific than the word-part clue.

dur + able → durable
Able to last through use or hardship. It works as a adjective in this example.

The map and matrix show established words. Matching letters alone do not prove a meaningful relationship.

Explore dur · map, matrix & checks

durablehard-wearing and long-lasting
endurelast through hardship

Word-family cluster map: dur

Follow one root into related words. Read each connection and explain how the shared meaning develops. Select a word to load its path in the matrix below.

durhard or lasting

dur + ableadjective

Able to last through use or hardship.
dur + able + itynoun

The ability to last.

Before -ity, -able takes the form -abil-: durable + ity → durability.
dur + ationnoun

The length of time something lasts.

Explain the connection: “These words share ___. In ___ it helps mean ___; in ___ it helps mean ___.”

Build with dur 3 word paths

dur: hard or lasting. Choose parts from left to right, or choose a word below. Dimmed choices do not continue a word in this matrix.

Prefix / leading part

Root or whole base

Suffix / ending

dur + able → durable

Able to last through use or hardship.

adjective

Compare two paths

durable: Able to last through use or hardship.
duration: The length of time something lasts.

Say which parts stay and which change. Explain how the meaning or word job changes.

Read every word sum and meaning

Word sum	Word	Meaning
dur + able	durable	Able to last through use or hardship.
dur + able + ity	durability	The ability to last.
dur + ation	duration	The length of time something lasts.

Check your understanding

Use the map and matrix as needed. A wrong answer gives you a clue; try again or open the explanation.

0 of 3 answered correctly

DECODE · FOLLOW THE CLUES

Use the clue without overtrusting it

A word part gives you a strong clue—not always a complete definition.

Spot the part.Underline the exact letters you recognize.
Recall the clue.Say the meaning you learned for that part.
Test the whole word.Combine the clue with the other parts and the sentence.

Decode agriculture

Spot agriculture. The root cult carries the clue care for. Here, it helps you understand: care for fields and crops.

Decode sanctify

Spot sanctify. The root sanct carries the clue holy. Here, it helps you understand: make holy.

Decode theocracy

Spot theocracy. The root theo carries the clue god. Here, it helps you understand: rule in the name of God or religion.

Open the matching word builder →

MEANING & GRAMMAR

What changes when the word changes?

Compare the meanings, then test which form fits the sentence.

urban

related to a city

suburban

related to an area outside a city’s center

Explain the difference

Urb supplies city in both. Sub- helps locate the second word, but suburban has a specific meaning; it does not mean underground.

A common mistake—and how to avoid it

A literal word-part translation may be incomplete. Suburban does not simply mean under a city. Use the established definition and the sentence together.

CHECK IN CONTEXT

Make sense of a new word

Use both the word parts and the sentence. Open a hint if you need a starting point.

As farms became neighborhoods and the town grew into a city, urbanization changed the region.

Expand your thinking · explain it or use it

Which word part helped? Which words in the sentence confirmed the meaning? Use a word from this lesson in a sentence about a reading, a historical event, or your own experience.

Check your sentence

Does the word’s established meaning fit your idea?
Does its form fit the grammar of your sentence?
Can you identify a meaningful part and explain its contribution?

These optional notes are not saved, graded, or submitted.

COME BACK · RETRIEVE IT AGAIN

Remember after a break

Return in two days, then about a week later. Before opening the notes, recall a meaning, rebuild two words, and use one in a new sentence.

Start with cult. What does it mean? Which two words connect to it?

Check after you recall

cult: care for. For example: cultivate and agriculture. Explain how each connects to the meaning.

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You checked the parts and applied them.