Context Clues — Answer Key
Part A: Fix the Sentence
Each sentence has an error. Rewrite it correctly on the line.
1. Fix the sentence:
The root word in unhappy are happy.
Corrected: The root word in unhappy is happy.
Singular subject root word needs the singular verb is in Grade 3 grammar.
2. Fix the sentence:
Grade 3 students learns to split long words into smaller parts.
Corrected: Grade 3 students learn to split long words into smaller parts.
Students is plural, so the verb must be learn in Grade 3 subject-verb agreement.
3. Fix the sentence:
The prefix un- mean not, like in unkind.
Corrected: The prefix un- means not, like in unkind.
In Grade 3 grammar, a singular subject uses means, not mean.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. A root word is the main part of a word that carries its core meaning in Grade 3.
A root word is the base, a Grade 3 anchor for decoding unfamiliar vocabulary.
2. The prefix re- in the word replay means to do something again in Grade 3 reading.
Replay = re + play, showing how prefix meaning builds Grade 3 vocabulary.
3. If a Grade 3 student sees unhappy, the un- signals not happy, which means sad.
The prefix un- means not, reversing the root word in Grade 3 analysis.
4. The suffix -ness in kindness turns the root kind into a noun.
The suffix -ness makes a noun in Grade 3 word-part study of kindness.
Part C: True or False?
Read each statement. Circle True or False.
1. Grade 3 readers can infer that rewrite means to write again because re- means again.
True False
Breaking rewrite into re + write is a core Grade 3 root-word strategy.
2. The word disagree has no useful parts for Grade 3 readers to analyze.
True False
Dis- means not, and agree is the root, giving Grade 3 readers two parts.
3. Knowing the root help in helpful lets a Grade 3 student guess helpful means full of help.
True False
Root help plus suffix -ful equals full of help, a Grade 3 decoding success.