Root Words from Tele and Phone – ESL Lesson, FAQs, and Quiz

Root Words: Tele and Phone – ESL Lesson

In the English language, many words are built from root words that originate from ancient languages like Greek and Latin. Understanding these root words can significantly enhance your vocabulary and comprehension of the language. Two such commonly used roots are “tele” and “phone.” The root “tele” comes from the Greek word “téle,” meaning “far,” while “phone” derives from the Greek “phōnē,” meaning “voice” or “sound.” When combined or used with other roots and suffixes, these words form new meanings associated with distance communication and sound transmission.

Everybody knows what a telephone is. Almost everyone has one, but very few people know why it is called telephone. When you understand the meaning behind the words, not only does it help you with the one word, it can help you understand a lot of other words, too.

tele means far, distance, or from afar

phon means sound

When you put them both together it means something that lets you hear sound from a distance.

So now that you know that, look at some other words that have tele:

telegraph– graph means writing. A telegraph is a written message that is sent a long distance by Morse code.

television– I’m sure you know that vision means something you can see. You can see something from a distance.

And some words that use phon:

microphone– micro means small. We use a microphone to capture a small voice and make it large.

homophone– homo means same. A homophone is two different words that sound the same, like here and hear.

Practice Quiz on Root Words: Tele and Phone

Prepare to test your understanding of the root words “tele” and “phone” with this practice quiz. The following five questions will challenge you to identify the meaning of different words using these roots, explore combinations of these roots, and apply the knowledge to recognize the usage in context. This quiz will help solidify your grasp of how these root words contribute to the English language.

Answer key is provided below.

Question 1:
What does the word “telegraph” mean based on its root words?
A) Writing from afar
B) Speaking loudly
C) Hearing a distant sound
D) Broadcasting images

Question 2:
Which of the following words does not directly involve sound?
A) Telephone
B) Phonology
C) Telegraph
D) Symphony

Question 3:
What is “teleconference” a combination of?
A) Telepathy and conference
B) Television and conference
C) Telecommunication and conference
D) Telecast and conference

Question 4:
If “phonetics” is the study of speech sounds, what does “telephonics” likely involve?
A) The study of distant writing systems
B) The technology related to transmission of sounds over distance
C) The study of television broadcasting
D) The history of telegraphic systems

Question 5:
Identify the word that means “sound from afar.”
A) Microphone
B) Phonograph
C) Megaphone
D) Telephone

Frequently Asked Questions about Root Words from Tele and Phone

What does the root word “tele” imply in modern English?

The root “tele” implies distance or operating over a distance. It is used in words like “television” (vision from afar) and “telecommute” (working remotely).

How is the root “phone” used in words besides “telephone”?

The root “phone” is used in various contexts related to sound or voice. Examples include “microphone” (device to amplify small sounds), “megaphone” (device to amplify voice over distance), and “phonetics” (study of speech sounds).

Can “tele” and “phone” be used together in words? What does it signify?

Yes, when used together as in “telephone,” it signifies a device or system for transmitting voice across long distances, combining the meanings of both roots.

What are some examples of words that use the root “tele” without involving technology?

Words like “telepathy” (communication between minds over a distance without technological means) and “telemetry” (remote measurement and transmission of data) use “tele” in non-technological contexts.

Are there any common misunderstandings related to the usage of “tele” and “phone”?

A common misunderstanding is that “tele” always involves advanced technology, whereas it simply relates to distance. Similarly, “phone” often leads to the assumption of voice communication, though it broadly relates to any sound.

Answer Key

  1. A – “Telegraph” means writing from afar.
  2. C – “Telegraph” does not directly involve sound.
  3. C – “Teleconference” is a combination of telecommunication and conference.
  4. B – “Telephonics” involves the technology related to the transmission of sounds over distance.
  5. D – “Telephone” means sound from afar.