What does equatorial mean?
Word: Equatorial
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Equatorial means connected with the equator, the imaginary line around the middle of the Earth, or found near it.
Word origin: Formed in English from equator, which comes from medieval Latin aequator.
How do you spell equatorial?
Syllables: e - qua - to - ri - al
Tricky part: The start comes from equator, so it is equa, with an a after the qu. Many students write equitorial because that vowel is said so lightly.
Watch out for: equitorial, equetorial
Memory tip: The equator splits the Earth into two equal halves, and equal and equator open with the same equa, so the a after qu stays.
Equatorial in a sentence
Example 1: Equatorial rainforests stay green all year because rain falls on most afternoons.
Example 2: Our geography teacher shaded the equatorial belt green on the class map.
Example 3: Singapore has an equatorial climate, so it is warm and humid in every month.
Fun Fact
The country Ecuador takes its name from the Spanish word for the equator, which crosses the country just north of its capital, Quito.
Practise the CREST Way
Spellacadabra
Choose the correct option to make a meaningful word:
equator____
a) ial
b) iel
c) eal
d) ail
Show answer
a) ial. The ending is ial, the same one that closes editorial and territorial.
Sound Check
In which word is 'qu' pronounced differently?
a) equatorial
b) quay
c) equation
d) quartz
Show answer
b) quay. Quay is said like key; the other three have the kw sound.
Word Puzzle
Match each word with its opposite:
1. equatorial 2. humid 3. fertile a. barren b. polar c. dry
a) 1-b, 2-a, 3-c
b) 1-a, 2-c, 3-b
c) 1-b, 2-c, 3-a
d) 1-c, 2-b, 3-a
Show answer
c) 1-b, 2-c, 3-a. Land near the poles is the opposite of land near the equator, damp air is the opposite of dry air, and rich soil is the opposite of barren ground.
Word Tally
How many words are misspelt in the sentence?
On our trip to the equatorial forests of Borneo, we watched hornbills gliding over the canopee while our guide warned us about the slipery tracks.
a) 0
b) 1
c) 3
d) 2
Show answer
d) 2. Canopy ends in y and slippery doubles its p; every other word, the long one included, is correct.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which place is most likely to have an equatorial climate?
a) a dry desert town in Mongolia
b) a windy island near Antarctica
c) a lowland town in the Congo basin
d) a snowy village in northern Norway
Show answer
c) a lowland town in the Congo basin
2. A travel guide calls a city's weather equatorial. What should a visitor pack?
a) thermal boots and a scarf
b) light clothes and an umbrella
c) skis and a fleece hat
d) a woollen coat and gloves
Show answer
b) light clothes and an umbrella
