文章大意:这是一篇说明文。主要讲述了英语中的词根在英语学习方面的重要作用。通过学习更多关于这些词根以及它们如何结合从而创造单词,你在理解新词方面会有优势,即使你以前从未见过它们。
Elements of Latin have made their way into many western countries. Data varies, but as much as 70% of words in English have a Latin or Greek root. By learning more about these roots and how they combine (结合) to create words, you will have an advantage in understanding new words, even if you’ve never seen them before.
The great thing is that you’re not learning the whole language with its grammar. You just need to memorize some parts of the vocabulary that you often see in English. So how do word roots work?
Every word has a root. This part contains the key to a word’s meaning. Take the word “happy”, for example. This word only contains the root, which means full of joy. Some words, however, have extra parts. We call these affixes (词缀), including prefixes, the part attached before the root, and suffixes, the part attached behind the root. Based on the additional meaning of the prefixes and suffixes, the meaning of the final word will be shaped to mean something new.
Take the word “autobiography” for example. The root is “bio”, meaning life. You may have noticed that many words with “bio” have something to do with life or living beings—biology, biography, and so on. When the suffixes “graph”, meaning to write, is added to it, it means a story about someone’s or something’s life. “Auto” means by oneself. Altogether, an “autobiography” is a story about a person’s life, written by the person himself or herself.
In a word, a better grasp of word roots can make you understand the English language better, and will help you with your vocabulary recognition and memory skills.
12. What’s needed to understand new words with roots?
A.A good understanding of Latin or Greek. | B.A full understanding of grammar. |
C.The ability to recognize different parts of words. | D.The ability to speak various Western languages. |
13. What do we know about the roots?
A.It can’t form a word by itself. | B.It is a necessary part of a word. |
C.It is more important than affixes. | D.It has a relatively simple meaning. |
14. What is the meaning of “biochemistry”?
A.The science that is related to living things. |
B.A person who does research about chemistry. |
C.A person who does research about living things. |
D.The study of chemical reactions occurring in living things. |
15. Which of the following is a suitable title for the text?
A.Secret of understanding new words. | B.Latin’s way into Western language. |
C.Amazing power of affixes. | D.Tips on language exams. |