Numerous word endings suggest root meanings derived from Latin. Two examples are words ending in -diction, which usually have something to do with speaking, and words ending in -duction, which usually have something to with leading.

1. How many -diction words can you think of in 20 minutes? (My list, with only seven words, may not be complete.)

2. How many -duction words can you think of in 20 minutes? (My list, with 11 words, may not be complete.)

Hundreds of English words end in -ation and hundreds more in -ition. We get more manageable lists when we specify an additional letter.

3. How many words ending in -dation can you list in half an hour? (Unlike -diction or -duction words, there is no unifying theme.) Score 12 words as good, 15 words as excellent, and 18 or more as outstanding.

4. How many words ending in -dition can you list in half an hour? (Again, there is no unifying theme.) Score seven words as good, nine words as excellent, and 11 or more as outstanding.

Follow this link to solutions.

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