Roots, Prefixes & Suffixes — Answer Key
Part A: Multiple Choice
Circle the best answer for each question.
1. The word "construct" is a verb meaning "to build." When you add the suffix -ion to make "construction," how does the word change?
A) It becomes an adjective meaning easy to build
B) It becomes a noun meaning the act or process of building
C) It becomes an adverb meaning while building
D) It stays a verb but changes to past tense
The suffix '-tion' turns a verb into a noun. 'Construction' is a noun meaning 'the act or process of constructing (building).'
2. Which pair of words shows a prefix changing a word to its opposite meaning?
A) happy / happiness
B) agree / disagree
C) teach / teacher
D) slow / slowly
The prefix 'dis-' means 'not' or 'opposite of.' Adding 'dis-' to 'agree' creates 'disagree,' which means to not agree, the opposite meaning.
3. The word "courage" is a noun. What part of speech is "courageous," and which suffix caused the change?
A) Verb; the suffix -ous turns nouns into verbs
B) Adjective; the suffix -ous turns nouns into adjectives
C) Adverb; the suffix -ous turns nouns into adverbs
D) Noun; the suffix -ous does not change the part of speech
The suffix '-ous' turns a noun into an adjective meaning 'full of' or 'having the quality of.' 'Courageous' is an adjective meaning 'having courage.'
4. A student reads the unfamiliar word "unbreakable." Using prefix and suffix knowledge, what is the best definition?
A) Already broken into pieces
B) Able to be broken very easily
C) The act of breaking something apart
D) Not able to be broken
'Unbreakable' contains 'un-' (not) + 'break' + '-able' (able to be). It means 'not able to be broken.' The prefix and suffix work together to create the meaning.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the correct answer on each line.
1. Adding the suffix -er to the verb "teach" creates the noun "teacher," meaning one who teaches.
The suffix '-er' or '-or' means 'one who does.' A 'teacher' is one who teaches. Other examples: writer, builder, actor, director.
2. The prefix un- reverses the meaning of a word, so "unfair" means not fair.
The prefix 'un-' reverses the meaning of the base word. 'Unfair' means 'not fair.' Other examples: unhappy, unkind, unsafe, unable.
3. When the suffix -able is added to "read," the new word "readable" means capable of being read.
'-able' means 'able to be' or 'having the quality of.' 'Capable' means able to do something. Other examples: washable, breakable, comfortable.
4. The word "careless" is an adjective, but adding -ness creates "carelessness," which is a noun.
The suffix '-ness' converts adjectives into nouns. 'Kind' (adjective) becomes 'kindness' (noun — the state of being kind). Other examples: darkness, happiness, sadness.
5. Adding the prefix anti- to "social" creates "antisocial," meaning against social behavior.
The prefix 'anti-' means 'against' or 'opposed to.' Other examples: antibiotic (against bacteria), antifreeze (against freezing), antivirus (against viruses).