CLASSICAL ROOTS

LESSON 10 : Turning

ROOTSVERS0/VERT0 <L. TO TURN

CONTRA<L. AGAINST

divertTo turn aside or in another direction

reverseCausing movement backward

To entertain or amuse

versatile Talented, not limited, able to turn easily from one thing to another

version a way of presenting; a point of view

versus against in contrast to

vertabrate A creature with a spine or

backbone

Contra <L. against

contradictoryInclined to say the opposite or deny; inconsistent

contraryInclined to oppose and be stubborn; opposite

contrastTo point out differences; to set apart one as unlike another

Difference

controversialDebatable; stirring up opinions that turn against each other and clash

PRACTICE! Which word means inconsistent?

vertebrate? controversial? contradictory?

(contradictory)

PRACTICE! Which word means able to easily turn from one thing to another?

reverse? versatile? version?

(versatile)

PRACTICE! Which word means to entertain or amuse?

divert? contrast? versatile?

(divert)

PRACTICE! Which word means against or in contrast to?

divert? versus? contrast?

(versus)

PRACTICE! Which word means inclined to say the opposite OR deny?

contradictory? contrast? contrary?

(contradictory)

PRACTICE! Which word means stirring up opinions that turn against each other?

contradictory? controversial? contrary?

(controversial)

PRACTICE! Which word means difference?

contradictory? controversial? contrast?

(contrast)

PRACTICE! Which word means a point of view?

divert? version? versatile?

(version)

PRACTICE! Which word is similar to contradictory but focuses more on being stubborn?

version? contrary? controversial?

(contrary)

Challenge! The evidence was

______________, so the jury had a hard time reaching a verdict.

(contradictory)

Challenge!Students were asked to write

an essay comparing and _____________the two main characters.

(contrasting)

Challenge! The principal listened to both

____________ of the students’ stories.

(versions)

Challenge! The employee was thrilled

when her boss ______________the decision to fire her although she had been late many times.

(reversed)

Challenge! The babysitter _____________the

child’s attention from his playmate’s toy to a different one to stop the arguing between the two little ones.

(diverted)

Challenge! The judge ____________the

verdict when a juror admitted he was harassed into voting with the jury.

(reversed)

Challenge! The ____________ between my

picture at the start of the year versus the end of the year surprised me. I looked so much younger then!

(contrast)

Challenge! When first meeting a person,

you should bring up ______________subjects that could cause an argument.

(controversial)

Challenge! The written directions were

___________ to the verbal ones. We were confused because of the difference!

(contradictory)

Challenge!Although she told her mother she

was sorry, her ___________behavior showed that she was not.

(contrary; contradictory)

Challenge! Religion and politics can be

______________ topics.

(controversial)

Challenge!She is quite a

______________actress because she is skilled in both comic and serious roles.

(versatile)

Challenge!The two thieves created a

_____________yelling while the third took the lady’s purse.

(diversion)

Challenge!My _____________ of the story is

similar except that it is a little longer than yours.

(version)

Challenge! The dull colors the artist used

on the one side of the artwork _____________ the bright ones on the other side.

(contrast)

Challenge! A _______________must have a

spine.

(vertebrate)

Challenge!The competition was boys

____________ girls.

(versus)