Prefixes and Suffixes — Answer Key
Part A: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. To understand something wrongly is to misunderstand it.
The prefix mis- means "wrongly." Adding mis- to understand gives misunderstand, meaning to get the wrong idea about something.
2. The fastest runner in the race finished first.
The suffix -est means "the most." The fastest runner beat everyone else because no one was quicker.
3. A toy that can be washed is washable.
The suffix -able means "can be." Washable means the toy can be washed without getting ruined.
4. Someone who paints is called a painter.
The suffix -er means "one who." A painter is a person who paints, just like a driver is one who drives.
5. To connect wires again is to reconnect them.
The prefix re- means "again." Reconnect means to connect the wires one more time after they were apart.
6. A person without sleep feels sleepless.
The suffix -less means "without." Sleepless means without sleep, so the person is tired.
7. The brightbrightness of the sun was blinding.
The suffix -ness means "the state of being." Brightness is the state of being bright, which describes how much light the sun gives off.
8. She sang so beautifully that everyone clapped.
The suffix -ly turns an adjective into an adverb. Beautifully describes how she sang, and it made the audience clap.
9. To not trust someone is to distrust that person.
The prefix dis- means "not." Distrust means to not trust someone, so you do not believe what they say.
Part B: Matching
Match each item on the left to the correct answer on the right.
1. Match each item to its correct answer.
mis-
→ wrongly
able to
-er
→ one who or more
the most
-able
→ able to
wrongly
-est
→ the most
one who or more
Correct matches: mis- → wrongly; -er → one who or more; -able → able to; -est → the most.