Word Power Lab
Lesson 7: Time, Order & Sequence
Decode • Connect • Apply • Transfer
Use roots as meaning clues, then test them in real context.
Root Discovery Map
Six root families. Twelve target words.
chron = time
chronology - the arrangement of events in time order
synchronize - to cause things to happen at the same time
tempor = time
temporary - lasting for a limited time
contemporary - belonging to the same time or present period
prim = first
primary - first in importance or order
primitive - belonging to an early stage of development
sequ/sec = follow
consecutive - following one after another without interruption
subsequent - coming after something else
ante = before
antecedent - something that came before another thing
anticipate - to expect or prepare for in advance
post = after
postpone - to delay until a later time
posthumous - occurring or published after a person's death
The 5-Step Decode Method
Roots are clues - not complete definitions.
1 Spot
Find the root.
2 Recall
Recall its broad meaning.
3 Combine
Add prefix/suffix clues.
4 Test
Test against context.
5 Confirm
Confirm with a reliable definition.
Mastery Check 1-2
Choose the best answer. Answers are kept separate.
1. Which word best matches this meaning: “the arrangement of events in time order”?
A. synchronize
B. chronology
C. contemporary
D. postpone
2. Which word best matches this meaning: “to cause things to happen at the same time”?
A. chronology
B. synchronize
C. anticipate
D. primary
Mastery Check 3-4
Choose the best answer. Answers are kept separate.
3. Which word best matches this meaning: “lasting for a limited time”?
A. postpone
B. antecedent
C. primitive
D. temporary
4. Which word best matches this meaning: “belonging to the same time or present period”?
A. primary
B. synchronize
C. posthumous
D. contemporary
Mastery Check 5-6
Choose the best answer. Answers are kept separate.
5. Which word best matches this meaning: “first in importance or order”?
A. primitive
B. posthumous
C. primary
D. subsequent
6. Which word best matches this meaning: “belonging to an early stage of development”?
A. consecutive
B. postpone
C. posthumous
D. primitive
Mastery Check 7-8
Choose the best answer. Answers are kept separate.
7. Which word best matches this meaning: “following one after another without interruption”?
A. antecedent
B. postpone
C. chronology
D. consecutive
8. Which word best matches this meaning: “coming after something else”?
A. posthumous
B. consecutive
C. primary
D. subsequent
Mastery Check 9-10
Choose the best answer. Answers are kept separate.
9. Which word best matches this meaning: “something that came before another thing”?
A. contemporary
B. consecutive
C. temporary
D. antecedent
10. Which word best matches this meaning: “to expect or prepare for in advance”?
A. subsequent
B. postpone
C. anticipate
D. temporary
Mastery Check 11-12
Choose the best answer. Answers are kept separate.
11. Which word best matches this meaning: “to delay until a later time”?
A. primitive
B. postpone
C. contemporary
D. synchronize
12. Which word best matches this meaning: “occurring or published after a person's death”?
A. posthumous
B. temporary
C. postpone
D. antecedent
Mastery Check 13-14
Choose the best answer. Answers are kept separate.
13. Which vocabulary word is connected to the root chron, meaning “time”?
A. primitive
B. primary
C. anticipate
D. chronology
14. Which vocabulary word is connected to the root chron, meaning “time”?
A. chronology
B. synchronize
C. contemporary
D. primary
Mastery Check 15-16
Choose the best answer. Answers are kept separate.
15. Which vocabulary word is connected to the root tempor, meaning “time”?
A. anticipate
B. chronology
C. consecutive
D. temporary
16. Which vocabulary word is connected to the root tempor, meaning “time”?
A. antecedent
B. contemporary
C. consecutive
D. subsequent
Mastery Check 17-18
Choose the best answer. Answers are kept separate.
17. Which vocabulary word is connected to the root prim, meaning “first”?
A. contemporary
B. primitive
C. postpone
D. primary
18. Which vocabulary word is connected to the root prim, meaning “first”?
A. primitive
B. primary
C. posthumous
D. antecedent
Mastery Check 19-20
Choose the best answer. Answers are kept separate.
19. Which vocabulary word is connected to the root sequ/sec, meaning “follow”?
A. posthumous
B. postpone
C. consecutive
D. temporary
20. Which vocabulary word is connected to the root sequ/sec, meaning “follow”?
A. subsequent
B. synchronize
C. primary
D. antecedent
Mastery Check 21-22
Choose the best answer. Answers are kept separate.
21. Which vocabulary word is connected to the root ante, meaning “before”?
A. antecedent
B. chronology
C. postpone
D. consecutive
22. Which vocabulary word is connected to the root ante, meaning “before”?
A. posthumous
B. temporary
C. anticipate
D. postpone
Mastery Check 23-24
Choose the best answer. Answers are kept separate.
23. Which vocabulary word is connected to the root post, meaning “after”?
A. synchronize
B. temporary
C. antecedent
D. postpone
24. Which vocabulary word is connected to the root post, meaning “after”?
A. posthumous
B. subsequent
C. antecedent
D. contemporary
Mastery Check 25-26
Choose the best answer. Answers are kept separate.
25. A writer needs a word expressing the idea “the arrangement of events in time order.” Which choice is most precise?
A. contemporary
B. primary
C. chronology
D. primitive
26. A writer needs a word expressing the idea “to cause things to happen at the same time.” Which choice is most precise?
A. temporary
B. primitive
C. anticipate
D. synchronize
Mastery Check 27-28
Choose the best answer. Answers are kept separate.
27. A writer needs a word expressing the idea “lasting for a limited time.” Which choice is most precise?
A. temporary
B. primary
C. consecutive
D. postpone
28. A writer needs a word expressing the idea “belonging to the same time or present period.” Which choice is most precise?
A. primary
B. chronology
C. posthumous
D. contemporary
Mastery Check 29-30
Choose the best answer. Answers are kept separate.
29. A writer needs a word expressing the idea “first in importance or order.” Which choice is most precise?
A. antecedent
B. temporary
C. postpone
D. primary
30. A writer needs a word expressing the idea “belonging to an early stage of development.” Which choice is most precise?
A. consecutive
B. synchronize
C. primitive
D. anticipate
Mastery Check 31-32
Choose the best answer. Answers are kept separate.
31. A writer needs a word expressing the idea “following one after another without interruption.” Which choice is most precise?
A. antecedent
B. synchronize
C. consecutive
D. temporary
32. A writer needs a word expressing the idea “coming after something else.” Which choice is most precise?
A. primary
B. antecedent
C. subsequent
D. temporary
Mastery Check 33-34
Choose the best answer. Answers are kept separate.
33. A writer needs a word expressing the idea “something that came before another thing.” Which choice is most precise?
A. primary
B. consecutive
C. anticipate
D. antecedent
34. A writer needs a word expressing the idea “to expect or prepare for in advance.” Which choice is most precise?
A. chronology
B. anticipate
C. synchronize
D. consecutive
Mastery Check 35-36
Choose the best answer. Answers are kept separate.
35. A writer needs a word expressing the idea “to delay until a later time.” Which choice is most precise?
A. primitive
B. posthumous
C. chronology
D. postpone
36. A writer needs a word expressing the idea “occurring or published after a person's death.” Which choice is most precise?
A. chronology
B. posthumous
C. primitive
D. subsequent
Mastery Check 37-38
Choose the best answer. Answers are kept separate.
37. Which word shares the same root family as “chronology”?
A. subsequent
B. synchronize
C. antecedent
D. temporary
38. Which word shares the same root family as “temporary”?
A. contemporary
B. consecutive
C. chronology
D. posthumous
Mastery Check 39-40
Choose the best answer. Answers are kept separate.
39. Which word shares the same root family as “primary”?
A. posthumous
B. primitive
C. contemporary
D. anticipate
40. Which word shares the same root family as “consecutive”?
A. subsequent
B. chronology
C. primary
D. antecedent
Mastery Check 41-42
Choose the best answer. Answers are kept separate.
41. Which word shares the same root family as “antecedent”?
A. primary
B. subsequent
C. anticipate
D. chronology
42. Which word shares the same root family as “postpone”?
A. posthumous
B. primitive
C. synchronize
D. chronology
Mastery Check 43-44
Choose the best answer. Answers are kept separate.
43. If an unfamiliar academic word contains the root chron, which core meaning should you test first?
A. time
B. a specific number
C. the opposite of that idea
D. a geographic location
44. If an unfamiliar academic word contains the root tempor, which core meaning should you test first?
A. the opposite of that idea
B. a specific number
C. a geographic location
D. time
Mastery Check 45-46
Choose the best answer. Answers are kept separate.
45. If an unfamiliar academic word contains the root prim, which core meaning should you test first?
A. a geographic location
B. first
C. the opposite of that idea
D. a specific number
46. If an unfamiliar academic word contains the root sequ/sec, which core meaning should you test first?
A. a specific number
B. the opposite of that idea
C. follow
D. a geographic location
Mastery Check 47-48
Choose the best answer. Answers are kept separate.
47. If an unfamiliar academic word contains the root ante, which core meaning should you test first?
A. a specific number
B. the opposite of that idea
C. a geographic location
D. before
48. If an unfamiliar academic word contains the root post, which core meaning should you test first?
A. after
B. a geographic location
C. the opposite of that idea
D. a specific number
Mastery Check 49-50
Choose the best answer. Answers are kept separate.
49. When using a root to infer an unfamiliar word, what should you do after recalling the root meaning?
A. Check prefixes, suffixes, and context
B. Assume the root gives the complete definition
C. Ignore the sentence
D. Choose the longest definition
50. Which statement about word roots is most accurate?
A. A root usually provides a broad meaning clue
B. Every word with the same root has exactly the same definition
C. Roots make context unnecessary
D. A root can never change meaning
Open Response 1-2
Answer in complete sentences. Multiple strong answers are possible.
1. Choose one root from this lesson and explain how its meaning appears in both words in that root family.
2. Write an original sentence using one vocabulary word. Include enough context clues for a reader to infer the word's meaning.
Open Response 3-4
Answer in complete sentences. Multiple strong answers are possible.
3. Compare two vocabulary words from different root families. Explain one important difference in meaning or usage.
4. Describe a safe method for using roots to predict the meaning of a word you have never seen before.
Open Response 5-5
Answer in complete sentences. Multiple strong answers are possible.
5. Which root from Lesson Time, Order & Sequence would be most useful to remember? Defend your choice with two vocabulary examples.
Answer Key
Multiple-choice questions 1-50
1. B
2. B
3. D
4. D
5. C
6. D
7. D
8. D
9. D
10. C
11. B
12. A
13. D
14. B
15. D
16. B
17. D
18. A
19. C
20. A
21. A
22. C
23. D
24. A
25. C
26. D
27. A
28. D
29. D
30. C
31. C
32. C
33. D
34. B
35. D
36. B
37. B
38. A
39. B
40. A
41. C
42. A
43. A
44. D
45. B
46. C
47. D
48. A
49. A
50. A
Explanations 1-2
1. Answer: B. chronology
chronology means “the arrangement of events in time order.” The root chron contributes the core idea “time.”
2. Answer: B. synchronize
synchronize means “to cause things to happen at the same time.” The root chron contributes the core idea “time.”
Explanations 3-4
3. Answer: D. temporary
temporary means “lasting for a limited time.” The root tempor contributes the core idea “time.”
4. Answer: D. contemporary
contemporary means “belonging to the same time or present period.” The root tempor contributes the core idea “time.”
Explanations 5-6
5. Answer: C. primary
primary means “first in importance or order.” The root prim contributes the core idea “first.”
6. Answer: D. primitive
primitive means “belonging to an early stage of development.” The root prim contributes the core idea “first.”
Explanations 7-8
7. Answer: D. consecutive
consecutive means “following one after another without interruption.” The root sequ/sec contributes the core idea “follow.”
8. Answer: D. subsequent
subsequent means “coming after something else.” The root sequ/sec contributes the core idea “follow.”
Explanations 9-10
9. Answer: D. antecedent
antecedent means “something that came before another thing.” The root ante contributes the core idea “before.”
10. Answer: C. anticipate
anticipate means “to expect or prepare for in advance.” The root ante contributes the core idea “before.”
Explanations 11-12
11. Answer: B. postpone
postpone means “to delay until a later time.” The root post contributes the core idea “after.”
12. Answer: A. posthumous
posthumous means “occurring or published after a person's death.” The root post contributes the core idea “after.”
Explanations 13-14
13. Answer: D. chronology
chronology belongs to the chron root family, associated with “time.”
14. Answer: B. synchronize
synchronize belongs to the chron root family, associated with “time.”
Explanations 15-16
15. Answer: D. temporary
temporary belongs to the tempor root family, associated with “time.”
16. Answer: B. contemporary
contemporary belongs to the tempor root family, associated with “time.”
Explanations 17-18
17. Answer: D. primary
primary belongs to the prim root family, associated with “first.”
18. Answer: A. primitive
primitive belongs to the prim root family, associated with “first.”
Explanations 19-20
19. Answer: C. consecutive
consecutive belongs to the sequ/sec root family, associated with “follow.”
20. Answer: A. subsequent
subsequent belongs to the sequ/sec root family, associated with “follow.”
Explanations 21-22
21. Answer: A. antecedent
antecedent belongs to the ante root family, associated with “before.”
22. Answer: C. anticipate
anticipate belongs to the ante root family, associated with “before.”
Explanations 23-24
23. Answer: D. postpone
postpone belongs to the post root family, associated with “after.”
24. Answer: A. posthumous
posthumous belongs to the post root family, associated with “after.”
Explanations 25-26
25. Answer: C. chronology
chronology is the most precise choice because its definition is “the arrangement of events in time order.”
26. Answer: D. synchronize
synchronize is the most precise choice because its definition is “to cause things to happen at the same time.”
Explanations 27-28
27. Answer: A. temporary
temporary is the most precise choice because its definition is “lasting for a limited time.”
28. Answer: D. contemporary
contemporary is the most precise choice because its definition is “belonging to the same time or present period.”
Explanations 29-30
29. Answer: D. primary
primary is the most precise choice because its definition is “first in importance or order.”
30. Answer: C. primitive
primitive is the most precise choice because its definition is “belonging to an early stage of development.”
Explanations 31-32
31. Answer: C. consecutive
consecutive is the most precise choice because its definition is “following one after another without interruption.”
32. Answer: C. subsequent
subsequent is the most precise choice because its definition is “coming after something else.”
Explanations 33-34
33. Answer: D. antecedent
antecedent is the most precise choice because its definition is “something that came before another thing.”
34. Answer: B. anticipate
anticipate is the most precise choice because its definition is “to expect or prepare for in advance.”
Explanations 35-36
35. Answer: D. postpone
postpone is the most precise choice because its definition is “to delay until a later time.”
36. Answer: B. posthumous
posthumous is the most precise choice because its definition is “occurring or published after a person's death.”
Explanations 37-38
37. Answer: B. synchronize
chronology and synchronize both use the root chron, meaning “time.”
38. Answer: A. contemporary
temporary and contemporary both use the root tempor, meaning “time.”
Explanations 39-40
39. Answer: B. primitive
primary and primitive both use the root prim, meaning “first.”
40. Answer: A. subsequent
consecutive and subsequent both use the root sequ/sec, meaning “follow.”
Explanations 41-42
41. Answer: C. anticipate
antecedent and anticipate both use the root ante, meaning “before.”
42. Answer: A. posthumous
postpone and posthumous both use the root post, meaning “after.”
Explanations 43-44
43. Answer: A. time
Begin with the broad root meaning “time,” then use affixes and sentence context to refine your prediction.
44. Answer: D. time
Begin with the broad root meaning “time,” then use affixes and sentence context to refine your prediction.
Explanations 45-46
45. Answer: B. first
Begin with the broad root meaning “first,” then use affixes and sentence context to refine your prediction.
46. Answer: C. follow
Begin with the broad root meaning “follow,” then use affixes and sentence context to refine your prediction.
Explanations 47-48
47. Answer: D. before
Begin with the broad root meaning “before,” then use affixes and sentence context to refine your prediction.
48. Answer: A. after
Begin with the broad root meaning “after,” then use affixes and sentence context to refine your prediction.
Explanations 49-50
49. Answer: A. Check prefixes, suffixes, and context
A root is a clue, not a complete definition. Affixes and context help refine the meaning.
50. Answer: A. A root usually provides a broad meaning clue
Roots usually supply a broad semantic clue; the complete meaning depends on word formation and context.
Open Response - Sample Answers 1-2
Models for comparison; other well-supported answers may also be correct.
1. Choose one root from this lesson and explain how its meaning appears in both words in that root family.
Sample response: The root chron means “time.” A strong response explains how that idea appears in both chronology and synchronize, while noting that the full definitions are not identical.
2. Write an original sentence using one vocabulary word. Include enough context clues for a reader to infer the word's meaning.
Sample response: A student could use temporary in a complete sentence and include details that clearly suggest “lasting for a limited time.”
Open Response - Sample Answers 3-4
Models for comparison; other well-supported answers may also be correct.
3. Compare two vocabulary words from different root families. Explain one important difference in meaning or usage.
Sample response: Compare primary with consecutive. Define each word, identify the roots, and give a short example showing why the words are not interchangeable.
4. Describe a safe method for using roots to predict the meaning of a word you have never seen before.
Sample response: Identify the root, recall its broad meaning, examine any prefix and suffix, and test the prediction against the sentence. Then confirm the meaning with a reliable dictionary or source.
Open Response - Sample Answers 5-5
Models for comparison; other well-supported answers may also be correct.
5. Which root from Lesson Time, Order & Sequence would be most useful to remember? Defend your choice with two vocabulary examples.
Sample response: A student may choose ante because it means “before.” The response should connect that idea to antecedent and anticipate and explain how the root could help decode future words.