Students identify how adding -ion changes 'construct' to a noun, choose the prefix pair that creates antonyms, and identify which suffix makes 'courage' an adjective. Part B has five fill-in-the-blank problems about -er creating agent nouns, un- reversing meaning, and -able indicating capability.
Analyzing how prefixes and suffixes transform words — changing meaning, part of speech, and connotation — is the advanced morphology skill that connects word study to grammar, writing, and reading comprehension.
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Roots, Prefixes & Suffixes
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
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
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
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
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.
2. The prefix un- reverses the meaning of a word, so "unfair" means not fair.
3. When the suffix -able is added to "read," the new word "readable" means capable of being read.
4. The word "careless" is an adjective, but adding -ness creates "carelessness," which is a noun.
5. Adding the prefix anti- to "social" creates "antisocial," meaning against social behavior.
Roots, Prefixes & Suffixes
★ 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
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
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
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
★ 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.
2) The prefix un- reverses the meaning of a word, so "unfair" means not fair.
3) When the suffix -able is added to "read," the new word "readable" means capable of being read.
4) The word "careless" is an adjective, but adding -ness creates "carelessness," which is a noun.
5) Adding the prefix anti- to "social" creates "antisocial," meaning against social behavior.
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