Suffixes -er and -est

Multiple Choice

Which of the following best describes a base word?

• A word that can stand alone and have its meaning changed by adding prefixes or suffixes.

• A word that always needs a prefix or suffix to make sense.

• A word that cannot be changed in any way.

• A word that is only used in compound words.

Multiple Choice

What is the main difference between the suffixes -er and -est when added to adjectives?

• -er compares two things, -est compares three or more things

• -er compares three things, -est compares two things

• -er is used for verbs, -est is used for nouns

• -er and -est mean the same thing

Open Ended

Look at the surfboards in the image. Which surfboard is the tallest, and which is the shortest? Explain how you know using the suffixes -er and -est.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following rules applies when adding -er or -est to a word ending in 'e'?

• Drop the 'e' before adding the suffix

• Change 'e' to 'i' before adding the suffix

• Double the final consonant before adding the suffix

• Keep the 'e' and add the suffix

Fill in the Blanks

Fill in the blank: To form the comparative of 'heavy', change the 'y' to

before adding -er.

Open Ended

Describe the spelling changes that occur when adding -er and -est to adjectives ending in 'y', 'e', and a short vowel plus consonant. Give an example for each.

Multiple Select

Select all the correct steps for forming the superlative of the word 'hot'.

• Double the final consonant

• Add -est

• Change 'o' to 'a'

• Drop the 'h'

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is the correct comparative and superlative form of the word 'clean'?

• cleaner, cleanest

• cleanner, cleannest

• cleanier, cleaniest

• cleaner, cleanerest

Multiple Choice

According to the spelling rule, what should you do if a word ends with 'e' before adding '-er' or '-est'?

• Keep the 'e' and add '-er' or '-est'

• Drop the 'e' before adding '-er' or '-est'

• Change 'e' to 'i' before adding '-er' or '-est'

• Double the last consonant before adding '-er' or '-est'

Open Ended

Explain the rule for adding '-er' or '-est' to a one-syllable word that ends in a short vowel and a consonant. Give an example.

Open Ended

What is one new spelling rule that you learned today?

Open Ended

How can you use what you learned about base words and endings like -er and -est in your own writing?