Word Relationships
Compound words, homophones, and word families
Explanation
Compound Words
Two shorter words join to make a new word:
- Sun + Flower = Sunflower
- Rain + Bow = Rainbow
- Back + Pack = Backpack
Common question format: "Find one word that completes both: over___ and ___light"
→ night → overnight, nightlight
Homophones
Words that sound identical but have different spellings and meanings:
- Bare / Bear | Their / There / They're
- Knight / Night | Knot / Not | Right / Write / Rite
Word Families
Words that share a root but have different forms (noun, verb, adjective, adverb):
- Create → Creation, Creative, Creator, Recreate, Creativity
- Act → Actor, Action, Active, Activate, Reaction, Overact
Word Roots & Key Tips
| Root | Meaning | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| port | carry | transport, import, export |
| dict | say/speak | dictate, predict, contradict |
| vis/vid | see | visible, video, supervise |
| scrib/script | write | describe, manuscript, subscribe |
Key Tips
- For "word that completes both": try the word at the start AND end of each test word
- Homophones: context in the sentence tells you which spelling is needed
- Knowing roots helps you decode unfamiliar vocabulary in the exam
Sample Practice Questions
-
Which word contains the Latin root meaning 'to write'?
Show answer
Answer: Describe
-
Which word can go before 'ache', 'band', and 'line' to make three compound words?
Show answer
Answer: Head
-
Which word can go before 'stand', 'cover', and 'ground' to make three compound words?
Show answer
Answer: Under
-
Pen is to Write as Knife is to ?
Show answer
Answer: Cut
Practice Questions
Test your knowledge of Word Relationships with a timed quiz. Answers are revealed at the end.
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What does Word Relationships cover in the Selective Entry Verbal Reasoning exam?
Compound words, homophones, and word families.
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