Prefixes and Suffixes — Answer Key
Part A: Multiple Choice
Circle the best answer for each question.
1. What does the prefix mis- mean in the word "miscount"?
A) before
B) again
C) wrongly
D) without
Mis- means "wrongly." Miscount means to count wrongly and get the wrong number.
2. Which word means "able to be enjoyed"?
A) enjoyless
B) enjoyable
C) enjoyment
D) unenjoy
The suffix -able means "can be." Enjoyable means something can be enjoyed, so it is fun or pleasant.
3. Which sentence uses the word "displease" correctly?
A) She displease the cake on the table.
B) The messy room will displease Mom.
C) He displease his shoes by the door.
D) They displease to the park after lunch.
Dis- means "not" or "opposite of." Displease means to not please someone, so a messy room would make Mom unhappy.
4. What new word do you get when you add -est to "bright"?
A) brighter
B) brightly
C) brightest
D) brightness
The suffix -est means "the most." Adding -est to bright makes brightest, meaning more bright than all the others.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the correct answer on each line.
1. The prefix in the word "misplace" is mis.
The prefix mis- comes before the base word place. Mis- means "wrongly," so misplace means to put something in the wrong spot.
2. A problem that can be solved is solvable.
The suffix -able means "can be." A solvable problem is one that can be solved if you work through it.
3. The highest mountain in the range towers above the rest.
The suffix -est means "the most." Highest means more high than every other mountain in the range.
4. Someone who acts in a loud way acts loudly.
The suffix -ly turns the adjective loud into an adverb. Loudly describes how someone acts -- in a loud, noisy way.
5. The suffix in the word "player" is er.
The suffix -er comes after the base word play. It means "one who," so a player is a person who plays.