call (the) roll
In a group setting, to call out each person's name from a list to see if they are present or absent. I haven't called roll yet, but it looks like a lot of kids are absent from school today. Suzy, please call the roll, I need to step out for a moment.
call (the) roll
and take (the) rollto call the names of people from a list of those enrolled, expecting them to reply if they are present. After I call the roll, please open your books to page 12. I will take roll, and then we will do arithmetic.