Word Power Lab
Lesson 5: Movement, Direction & Position
Decode • Connect • Apply • Transfer
Use roots as meaning clues, then test them in real context.
Root Discovery Map
Six root families. Twelve target words.
ced/cess = go, yield
recede - to move back or away
precede - to come before in time or order
curr/curs = run
concurrent - happening at the same time
excursion - a short journey or trip
it/iter = go, journey
itinerary - a planned route or schedule for a journey
reiterate - to say or do again for emphasis
ven/vent = come
intervene - to become involved in order to change an outcome
advent - the arrival or beginning of something important
sta/stat = stand
stationary - not moving
status - a position or condition at a particular time
loc = place
relocate - to move to a new place
allocate - to assign or distribute for a purpose
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: “to move back or away”?
A. recede
B. stationary
C. advent
D. status
2. Which word best matches this meaning: “to come before in time or order”?
A. status
B. intervene
C. precede
D. excursion
Mastery Check 3-4
Choose the best answer. Answers are kept separate.
3. Which word best matches this meaning: “happening at the same time”?
A. itinerary
B. recede
C. intervene
D. concurrent
4. Which word best matches this meaning: “a short journey or trip”?
A. intervene
B. precede
C. excursion
D. stationary
Mastery Check 5-6
Choose the best answer. Answers are kept separate.
5. Which word best matches this meaning: “a planned route or schedule for a journey”?
A. itinerary
B. stationary
C. precede
D. reiterate
6. Which word best matches this meaning: “to say or do again for emphasis”?
A. reiterate
B. intervene
C. recede
D. status
Mastery Check 7-8
Choose the best answer. Answers are kept separate.
7. Which word best matches this meaning: “to become involved in order to change an outcome”?
A. intervene
B. advent
C. itinerary
D. stationary
8. Which word best matches this meaning: “the arrival or beginning of something important”?
A. precede
B. itinerary
C. status
D. advent
Mastery Check 9-10
Choose the best answer. Answers are kept separate.
9. Which word best matches this meaning: “not moving”?
A. stationary
B. reiterate
C. status
D. itinerary
10. Which word best matches this meaning: “a position or condition at a particular time”?
A. concurrent
B. recede
C. stationary
D. status
Mastery Check 11-12
Choose the best answer. Answers are kept separate.
11. Which word best matches this meaning: “to move to a new place”?
A. recede
B. excursion
C. relocate
D. concurrent
12. Which word best matches this meaning: “to assign or distribute for a purpose”?
A. advent
B. excursion
C. allocate
D. relocate
Mastery Check 13-14
Choose the best answer. Answers are kept separate.
13. Which vocabulary word is connected to the root ced/cess, meaning “go, yield”?
A. recede
B. reiterate
C. excursion
D. advent
14. Which vocabulary word is connected to the root ced/cess, meaning “go, yield”?
A. status
B. precede
C. recede
D. advent
Mastery Check 15-16
Choose the best answer. Answers are kept separate.
15. Which vocabulary word is connected to the root curr/curs, meaning “run”?
A. precede
B. intervene
C. concurrent
D. stationary
16. Which vocabulary word is connected to the root curr/curs, meaning “run”?
A. relocate
B. advent
C. excursion
D. itinerary
Mastery Check 17-18
Choose the best answer. Answers are kept separate.
17. Which vocabulary word is connected to the root it/iter, meaning “go, journey”?
A. advent
B. allocate
C. itinerary
D. recede
18. Which vocabulary word is connected to the root it/iter, meaning “go, journey”?
A. reiterate
B. allocate
C. precede
D. recede
Mastery Check 19-20
Choose the best answer. Answers are kept separate.
19. Which vocabulary word is connected to the root ven/vent, meaning “come”?
A. intervene
B. stationary
C. recede
D. excursion
20. Which vocabulary word is connected to the root ven/vent, meaning “come”?
A. allocate
B. advent
C. concurrent
D. stationary
Mastery Check 21-22
Choose the best answer. Answers are kept separate.
21. Which vocabulary word is connected to the root sta/stat, meaning “stand”?
A. concurrent
B. stationary
C. status
D. precede
22. Which vocabulary word is connected to the root sta/stat, meaning “stand”?
A. precede
B. itinerary
C. reiterate
D. status
Mastery Check 23-24
Choose the best answer. Answers are kept separate.
23. Which vocabulary word is connected to the root loc, meaning “place”?
A. relocate
B. excursion
C. precede
D. allocate
24. Which vocabulary word is connected to the root loc, meaning “place”?
A. status
B. intervene
C. allocate
D. reiterate
Mastery Check 25-26
Choose the best answer. Answers are kept separate.
25. A writer needs a word expressing the idea “to move back or away.” Which choice is most precise?
A. advent
B. relocate
C. recede
D. status
26. A writer needs a word expressing the idea “to come before in time or order.” Which choice is most precise?
A. allocate
B. advent
C. precede
D. itinerary
Mastery Check 27-28
Choose the best answer. Answers are kept separate.
27. A writer needs a word expressing the idea “happening at the same time.” Which choice is most precise?
A. allocate
B. precede
C. advent
D. concurrent
28. A writer needs a word expressing the idea “a short journey or trip.” Which choice is most precise?
A. allocate
B. intervene
C. excursion
D. stationary
Mastery Check 29-30
Choose the best answer. Answers are kept separate.
29. A writer needs a word expressing the idea “a planned route or schedule for a journey.” Which choice is most precise?
A. precede
B. allocate
C. itinerary
D. relocate
30. A writer needs a word expressing the idea “to say or do again for emphasis.” Which choice is most precise?
A. reiterate
B. intervene
C. concurrent
D. relocate
Mastery Check 31-32
Choose the best answer. Answers are kept separate.
31. A writer needs a word expressing the idea “to become involved in order to change an outcome.” Which choice is most precise?
A. status
B. intervene
C. excursion
D. advent
32. A writer needs a word expressing the idea “the arrival or beginning of something important.” Which choice is most precise?
A. advent
B. status
C. reiterate
D. stationary
Mastery Check 33-34
Choose the best answer. Answers are kept separate.
33. A writer needs a word expressing the idea “not moving.” Which choice is most precise?
A. recede
B. stationary
C. excursion
D. intervene
34. A writer needs a word expressing the idea “a position or condition at a particular time.” Which choice is most precise?
A. status
B. precede
C. advent
D. excursion
Mastery Check 35-36
Choose the best answer. Answers are kept separate.
35. A writer needs a word expressing the idea “to move to a new place.” Which choice is most precise?
A. concurrent
B. stationary
C. relocate
D. intervene
36. A writer needs a word expressing the idea “to assign or distribute for a purpose.” Which choice is most precise?
A. allocate
B. concurrent
C. stationary
D. status
Mastery Check 37-38
Choose the best answer. Answers are kept separate.
37. Which word shares the same root family as “recede”?
A. advent
B. reiterate
C. stationary
D. precede
38. Which word shares the same root family as “concurrent”?
A. stationary
B. status
C. precede
D. excursion
Mastery Check 39-40
Choose the best answer. Answers are kept separate.
39. Which word shares the same root family as “itinerary”?
A. relocate
B. excursion
C. recede
D. reiterate
40. Which word shares the same root family as “intervene”?
A. advent
B. status
C. stationary
D. itinerary
Mastery Check 41-42
Choose the best answer. Answers are kept separate.
41. Which word shares the same root family as “stationary”?
A. advent
B. recede
C. relocate
D. status
42. Which word shares the same root family as “relocate”?
A. recede
B. precede
C. intervene
D. allocate
Mastery Check 43-44
Choose the best answer. Answers are kept separate.
43. If an unfamiliar academic word contains the root ced/cess, which core meaning should you test first?
A. go, yield
B. a specific number
C. a geographic location
D. the opposite of that idea
44. If an unfamiliar academic word contains the root curr/curs, which core meaning should you test first?
A. a geographic location
B. a specific number
C. run
D. the opposite of that idea
Mastery Check 45-46
Choose the best answer. Answers are kept separate.
45. If an unfamiliar academic word contains the root it/iter, which core meaning should you test first?
A. go, journey
B. a geographic location
C. the opposite of that idea
D. a specific number
46. If an unfamiliar academic word contains the root ven/vent, which core meaning should you test first?
A. come
B. a specific number
C. the opposite of that idea
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 sta/stat, which core meaning should you test first?
A. the opposite of that idea
B. a specific number
C. stand
D. a geographic location
48. If an unfamiliar academic word contains the root loc, which core meaning should you test first?
A. place
B. the opposite of that idea
C. a geographic location
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 Movement, Direction & Position would be most useful to remember? Defend your choice with two vocabulary examples.
Answer Key
Multiple-choice questions 1-50
1. A
2. C
3. D
4. C
5. A
6. A
7. A
8. D
9. A
10. D
11. C
12. C
13. A
14. B
15. C
16. C
17. C
18. A
19. A
20. B
21. B
22. D
23. A
24. C
25. C
26. C
27. D
28. C
29. C
30. A
31. B
32. A
33. B
34. A
35. C
36. A
37. D
38. D
39. D
40. A
41. D
42. D
43. A
44. C
45. A
46. A
47. C
48. A
49. A
50. A
Explanations 1-2
1. Answer: A. recede
recede means “to move back or away.” The root ced/cess contributes the core idea “go, yield.”
2. Answer: C. precede
precede means “to come before in time or order.” The root ced/cess contributes the core idea “go, yield.”
Explanations 3-4
3. Answer: D. concurrent
concurrent means “happening at the same time.” The root curr/curs contributes the core idea “run.”
4. Answer: C. excursion
excursion means “a short journey or trip.” The root curr/curs contributes the core idea “run.”
Explanations 5-6
5. Answer: A. itinerary
itinerary means “a planned route or schedule for a journey.” The root it/iter contributes the core idea “go, journey.”
6. Answer: A. reiterate
reiterate means “to say or do again for emphasis.” The root it/iter contributes the core idea “go, journey.”
Explanations 7-8
7. Answer: A. intervene
intervene means “to become involved in order to change an outcome.” The root ven/vent contributes the core idea “come.”
8. Answer: D. advent
advent means “the arrival or beginning of something important.” The root ven/vent contributes the core idea “come.”
Explanations 9-10
9. Answer: A. stationary
stationary means “not moving.” The root sta/stat contributes the core idea “stand.”
10. Answer: D. status
status means “a position or condition at a particular time.” The root sta/stat contributes the core idea “stand.”
Explanations 11-12
11. Answer: C. relocate
relocate means “to move to a new place.” The root loc contributes the core idea “place.”
12. Answer: C. allocate
allocate means “to assign or distribute for a purpose.” The root loc contributes the core idea “place.”
Explanations 13-14
13. Answer: A. recede
recede belongs to the ced/cess root family, associated with “go, yield.”
14. Answer: B. precede
precede belongs to the ced/cess root family, associated with “go, yield.”
Explanations 15-16
15. Answer: C. concurrent
concurrent belongs to the curr/curs root family, associated with “run.”
16. Answer: C. excursion
excursion belongs to the curr/curs root family, associated with “run.”
Explanations 17-18
17. Answer: C. itinerary
itinerary belongs to the it/iter root family, associated with “go, journey.”
18. Answer: A. reiterate
reiterate belongs to the it/iter root family, associated with “go, journey.”
Explanations 19-20
19. Answer: A. intervene
intervene belongs to the ven/vent root family, associated with “come.”
20. Answer: B. advent
advent belongs to the ven/vent root family, associated with “come.”
Explanations 21-22
21. Answer: B. stationary
stationary belongs to the sta/stat root family, associated with “stand.”
22. Answer: D. status
status belongs to the sta/stat root family, associated with “stand.”
Explanations 23-24
23. Answer: A. relocate
relocate belongs to the loc root family, associated with “place.”
24. Answer: C. allocate
allocate belongs to the loc root family, associated with “place.”
Explanations 25-26
25. Answer: C. recede
recede is the most precise choice because its definition is “to move back or away.”
26. Answer: C. precede
precede is the most precise choice because its definition is “to come before in time or order.”
Explanations 27-28
27. Answer: D. concurrent
concurrent is the most precise choice because its definition is “happening at the same time.”
28. Answer: C. excursion
excursion is the most precise choice because its definition is “a short journey or trip.”
Explanations 29-30
29. Answer: C. itinerary
itinerary is the most precise choice because its definition is “a planned route or schedule for a journey.”
30. Answer: A. reiterate
reiterate is the most precise choice because its definition is “to say or do again for emphasis.”
Explanations 31-32
31. Answer: B. intervene
intervene is the most precise choice because its definition is “to become involved in order to change an outcome.”
32. Answer: A. advent
advent is the most precise choice because its definition is “the arrival or beginning of something important.”
Explanations 33-34
33. Answer: B. stationary
stationary is the most precise choice because its definition is “not moving.”
34. Answer: A. status
status is the most precise choice because its definition is “a position or condition at a particular time.”
Explanations 35-36
35. Answer: C. relocate
relocate is the most precise choice because its definition is “to move to a new place.”
36. Answer: A. allocate
allocate is the most precise choice because its definition is “to assign or distribute for a purpose.”
Explanations 37-38
37. Answer: D. precede
recede and precede both use the root ced/cess, meaning “go, yield.”
38. Answer: D. excursion
concurrent and excursion both use the root curr/curs, meaning “run.”
Explanations 39-40
39. Answer: D. reiterate
itinerary and reiterate both use the root it/iter, meaning “go, journey.”
40. Answer: A. advent
intervene and advent both use the root ven/vent, meaning “come.”
Explanations 41-42
41. Answer: D. status
stationary and status both use the root sta/stat, meaning “stand.”
42. Answer: D. allocate
relocate and allocate both use the root loc, meaning “place.”
Explanations 43-44
43. Answer: A. go, yield
Begin with the broad root meaning “go, yield,” then use affixes and sentence context to refine your prediction.
44. Answer: C. run
Begin with the broad root meaning “run,” then use affixes and sentence context to refine your prediction.
Explanations 45-46
45. Answer: A. go, journey
Begin with the broad root meaning “go, journey,” then use affixes and sentence context to refine your prediction.
46. Answer: A. come
Begin with the broad root meaning “come,” then use affixes and sentence context to refine your prediction.
Explanations 47-48
47. Answer: C. stand
Begin with the broad root meaning “stand,” then use affixes and sentence context to refine your prediction.
48. Answer: A. place
Begin with the broad root meaning “place,” 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 ced/cess means “go, yield.” A strong response explains how that idea appears in both recede and precede, 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 concurrent in a complete sentence and include details that clearly suggest “happening at the same 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 itinerary with intervene. 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 Movement, Direction & Position would be most useful to remember? Defend your choice with two vocabulary examples.
Sample response: A student may choose sta/stat because it means “stand.” The response should connect that idea to stationary and status and explain how the root could help decode future words.