Breakingdownwordpartsbyunderstandingprefixes,rootsandsufixesisagreatwaytobuildyourstudents vocabulary.oncestudents havebeenintroducedtothemeaningofaprefix,rootorsufix,trybrainstormingotherwordsthatusethesameprefix,rootorsufix individualy, inpairs,orasawholeclass.askhowtheprefix,rootorsufixhelpsusunderstandthemeaningofsomeofthemorechalengingwords inthebrainstorm.
Knowing the meaning of word parts can help you read new words. A prefix is one or more letters added to the beginning of a root word that changes the meaning of the root word. Prefixes can help you figure out the meaning of unknown words. Test- TM Taking Tips Vocabulary If you know the meaning of the prefi x in one word, you can use that to fi gure out another word with that prefi x. For example, the letters un- make a prefix that means not. You probably know the word happy. If you add un- to happy, you get unhappy. So, the word unhappy means not happy. Like prefixes, a suffix is one or more letters added to the end of some words that change the meaning of root words. For example, the suffix -able means able to be. If something is understandable, it is able to be understood. This chart gives the meanings of some prefixes and suffixes. Prefix Meaning Example Suffix Meaning Example dis- reverse disappear -able capable of agreeable mis- wrong, bad misbehave -er one who singer non- not nonliving -less without hopeless re- back, again redo -ment act of, result of enjoyment un- not unfair -ful full of careful Peoples Education Measuring Up MyQuest TM Lesson and measuringuplive.com 1
Directions Read the passage below. Then answer the questions that follow. 1 Dear Diary, 2 Today has been a great day! Do you remember last summer when Grandpa showed me his beautiful old silver flute he used to play? Grandpa played so well. He played in the summer concerts in town when he was younger. I could not believe it when he gave me his flute! 3 I told him I was no good at music. I had tried to learn to play the piano but I was unable to do it. 4 It was hopeless for me to ever be any good. 5 He said maybe that wasn t the right instrument for me. He said he would be proud if I would just try to learn to play the flute. 6 Well, as you know, I took flute lessons. It seemed like I d never get good. I almost wanted my teacher to say I was not teachable, so I could quit. But I really wanted to learn to play for Grandpa. I didn t want to make him unhappy. My plan was to play Happy Birthday for him as a birthday surprise. 7 I played and replayed the tunes. Last week I began to feel hopeful when my music teacher said quietly, James, when you really try to do something, you can usually do it. And it is clear to me you have worked very hard. You should feel proud. 8 Today was Grandpa s birthday. After he had opened presents from everyone else I said, Grandpa, my present is not something to see. It is something to hear. 9 I stood up and played Happy Birthday. Then I looked at Grandpa. He had tears in his eyes. Everyone clapped for me, but Grandpa got up and hugged me. James 2 Peoples Education Measuring Up MyQuest TM Lesson and measuringuplive.com
1 In the words unhappy and unable, the un- means A before. B only. C again. D not. 4 What does the word replayed mean? A opposite of played B played before C played wrong D played again 2 What does the word hopeless mean? A capable of hope B without hope C having hope 5 What does the word hopeful mean? A having no hope B result of hope C full of hope 3 What do you think the teacher means to say if James was not teachable? A He was able to teach. B He was someone who teaches. C He had no teacher. D He could not be taught. 6 Read this sentence from the letter. James, when you really try to do something, you can usually do it. The suffix -ly means A in a certain way. B without. C as a result of. D someone who. Peoples Education Measuring Up MyQuest TM Lesson and measuringuplive.com 3
Knowing the meaning of word parts can help you read new words. A prefix is one or more letters added to the beginning of a root word that changes the meaning of the root word. Prefixes can help you figure out the meaning of unknown words. Test- TM Taking Tips Vocabulary If you know the meaning of the prefi x in one word, you can use that to fi gure out another word with that prefi x. For example, the letters un- make a prefix that means not. You probably know the word happy. If you add un- to happy, you get unhappy. So, the word unhappy means not happy. Like prefixes, a suffix is one or more letters added to the end of some words that change the meaning of root words. For example, the suffix -able means able to be. If something is understandable, it is able to be understood. This chart gives the meanings of some prefixes and suffixes. Prefix Meaning Example Suffix Meaning Example dis- reverse disappear -able capable of agreeable mis- wrong, bad misbehave -er one who singer non- not nonliving -less without hopeless re- back, again redo -ment act of, result of enjoyment un- not unfair -ful full of careful Peoples Education Measuring Up MyQuest TM Lesson and measuringuplive.com 1
Directions Read the passage below. Then answer the questions that follow. 1 Dear Diary, 2 Today has been a great day! Do you remember last summer when Grandpa showed me his beautiful old silver flute he used to play? Grandpa played so well. He played in the summer concerts in town when he was younger. I could not believe it when he gave me his flute! 3 I told him I was no good at music. I had tried to learn to play the piano but I was unable to do it. 4 It was hopeless for me to ever be any good. 5 He said maybe that wasn t the right instrument for me. He said he would be proud if I would just try to learn to play the flute. 6 Well, as you know, I took flute lessons. It seemed like I d never get good. I almost wanted my teacher to say I was not teachable, so I could quit. But I really wanted to learn to play for Grandpa. I didn t want to make him unhappy. My plan was to play Happy Birthday for him as a birthday surprise. 7 I played and replayed the tunes. Last week I began to feel hopeful when my music teacher said quietly, James, when you really try to do something, you can usually do it. And it is clear to me you have worked very hard. You should feel proud. 8 Today was Grandpa s birthday. After he had opened presents from everyone else I said, Grandpa, my present is not something to see. It is something to hear. 9 I stood up and played Happy Birthday. Then I looked at Grandpa. He had tears in his eyes. Everyone clapped for me, but Grandpa got up and hugged me. James 2 Peoples Education Measuring Up MyQuest TM Lesson and measuringuplive.com
1 In the words unhappy and unable, the un- means A before. B only. C again. D not. 4 What does the word replayed mean? A opposite of played B played before C played wrong D played again 2 What does the word hopeless mean? A capable of hope B without hope C having hope 5 What does the word hopeful mean? A having no hope B result of hope C full of hope 3 What do you think the teacher means to say if James was not teachable? A He was able to teach. B He was someone who teaches. C He had no teacher. D He could not be taught. 6 Read this sentence from the letter. James, when you really try to do something, you can usually do it. The suffix -ly means A in a certain way. B without. C as a result of. D someone who. Peoples Education Measuring Up MyQuest TM Lesson and measuringuplive.com 3