Roots, Prefixes & Suffixes — Answer Key
Part A: Fix the Sentence
Each sentence has an error. Rewrite it correctly on the line.
1. Fix the sentence:
The teacher asked us to rewrite our essays, which means to write them for the first time.
Corrected: The teacher asked us to rewrite our essays, which means to write them again.
The prefix re- means again, so to rewrite means to write something a second time, not for the first time. The corrected sentence matches the true meaning of the prefix.
2. Fix the sentence:
The submarine flew high above the clouds during the mission.
Corrected: The submarine traveled deep below the ocean surface during the mission.
The prefix sub- means under or below, so a submarine travels deep below the ocean surface, not high above the clouds. Fixing the verb and location matches what sub- tells you about the word.
3. Fix the sentence:
She misunderstood the directions, so she followed them perfectly.
Corrected: She misunderstood the directions, so she made several mistakes on the assignment.
The prefix mis- means wrongly, so misunderstanding directions would lead to mistakes, not perfect results. The corrected sentence keeps the cause and effect logical.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. The prefix re- means "again," so to rebuild something means to build it again.
The prefix re- attaches to the base word build, and re- means again, so rebuild literally means to build it again. Filling in build keeps the original root word visible.
2. Adding the prefix pre- to the word "view" creates preview, which means to see beforehand.
Pre- means before, and adding it to view creates preview, the act of seeing something beforehand like a movie clip shown ahead of release. The new word keeps the root view and adds the time-related meaning of the prefix.
3. The prefix mis- means "wrongly," so to mislead someone is to lead them in the wrong direction.
Mis- means wrongly, and adding it to lead gives mislead, which is to guide someone in the wrong direction. The base verb lead stays the same while the prefix flips it to a wrong-way action.
4. A subtitle is a title shown at the bottom of a movie screen, and the prefix sub- means under.
Sub- means under, and a subtitle is a title shown under or at the bottom of the screen. The prefix tells you exactly where on the screen the title appears.
Part C: Short Answer
Answer each question in one or two complete sentences.
1. Explain what the prefix sub- means and give two words that use this prefix. Tell what each word means.
Sample answer: The prefix sub- means "under" or "below." A submarine is a vessel that travels under water. A subway is a train that runs under the ground.
Sub- means under or below, which is why a submarine is a vessel that travels under the water and a subway is a train that runs under the ground. Both words use the same prefix to show that something is positioned beneath another thing.
2. How does knowing the meaning of the prefix re- help you figure out unfamiliar words? Give an example.
Sample answer: Knowing that re- means "again" helps me figure out new words. For example, if I see the word "reassemble," I know it means to put something together again.
Knowing that re- means again lets you break apart unfamiliar words and predict their meaning. With reassemble, the prefix re- plus the verb assemble tells you it means to put something together again, even if you have never seen the word before.