What Is a Root? A root is a word part that needs to have a prefix and/or suffix added to it. If you know the meaning of a root, you can figure out the meaning of words that contain it. For example, the root anim means “life.”

Look at some words that are formed when you connect prefixes or suffixes to this root. What are their meanings?

Find Word Meanings Identify the root in each word below, and figure out the meaning of the word. Then brainstorm with a partner or use a dictionary to find other words that have the same root.

• 1. final

• 2. survive

• 3. accept

• 4. family

• 5. frigid

• 6. civil

• 7. compare

• 8. recognize

DRAMA

Think about how Garang must feel when he first arrives in the United States. What might he notice about U.S. culture? What questions might he have?

• 1 Write Questions and Answers With a partner, make a list of questions that Garang might ask. Then answer each question as someone would who has lived in the U.S. for a long time.

  Question	Answer
  How do you decide which kind of milk to buy when there are so many different kinds?	I choose the one that is on sale, or is the least expensive.

• 2 Act Out Your Conversation Decide who will play each role. Use your list of questions and answers as you role-play a conversation between the two people. Perform your role-play for the class.