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 fearless knight was too scared to enter the dark cave.
Corrected: The fearless knight bravely entered the dark cave without hesitation.
The corrected sentence is: "The fearless knight bravely entered the dark cave without hesitation.". The original sentence "The fearless knight was too scared to enter the dark cave." contained an error that needed to be fixed.
2. Fix the sentence:
Adding -ment to the word "enjoy" changes it from a noun to a verb.
Corrected: Adding -ment to the word "enjoy" changes it from a verb to a noun.
The corrected sentence is: "Adding -ment to the word "enjoy" changes it from a verb to a noun.". The original sentence "Adding -ment to the word "enjoy" changes it from a noun to a verb." contained an error that needed to be fixed.
3. Fix the sentence:
The famous singer was unknown and nobody had heard of her.
Corrected: The famous singer was well-known and admired by fans around the world.
The corrected sentence is: "The famous singer was well-known and admired by fans around the world.". The original sentence "The famous singer was unknown and nobody had heard of her." contained an error that needed to be fixed.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. The suffix -tion turns a verb into a noun, so "educate" becomes education.
The suffix '-tion' creates nouns from verbs, indicating 'the act or process of.' 'Educate' becomes 'education.' Other examples: celebration, construction, population.
2. Adding the suffix -ful to "hope" creates hopeful, meaning full of hope.
The suffix '-ful' means 'full of' or 'characterized by.' 'Hopeful' means full of hope. Other examples: cheerful, powerful, thankful.
3. The suffix -less means "without," so adding it to "care" makes careless.
The suffix '-less' means 'without.' 'Careless' means without care. This suffix is the opposite of '-ful' — 'careful' (full of care) vs. 'careless' (without care).
4. Adding the suffix -ment to "improve" creates the noun improvement.
The suffix '-ment' creates nouns from verbs, indicating 'the act, process, or result of.' 'Improve' becomes 'improvement.' Other examples: movement, enjoyment, treatment.
Part C: Short Answer
Answer each question in one or two complete sentences.
1. What happens to the meaning and part of speech of a word when you add the suffix -ness? Give an example.
Sample answer: The suffix -ness changes an adjective into a noun that means "the state of being." For example, adding -ness to "kind" creates "kindness," which means the state of being kind.
The suffix '-ness' converts adjectives into nouns representing states or qualities. Recognizing it helps readers understand words like 'kindness,' 'sadness,' and 'boldness.'
2. Explain the difference between the suffixes -ful and -less. Use the root word "power" in your answer.
Sample answer: The suffix -ful means "full of" and -less means "without." Adding -ful to "power" creates "powerful," meaning full of power. Adding -less creates "powerless," meaning without power.
'-ful' and '-less' are opposite suffixes. Attaching them to the same root creates antonyms: hopeful/hopeless, careful/careless, colorful/colorless.