Forming Adjectives (noun + prefix/suffix)

The suffix '-ous', as in 'courageous' or 'joyous', is added to a noun to form an adjective that usually means...

• without a quality

• full of or having the quality of

• able to be

• before an event

Answer explanation

The suffix '-ous' means 'full of' or 'possessing the qualities of'. For example, 'courageous' means full of courage.

The artist was known for her (a)   use of color, making her paintings vibrant and exciting.

• colorfull
• colorful
• colored
• coloring

Answer explanation

The correct spelling to make an adjective from the noun 'color' using the suffix '-ful' is 'colorful'. It describes something as being full of color.

Match the suffix to the meaning it adds to a noun to form an adjective.

• Full of

• -less

• Relating to

• -al

• Having characteristics of

• -ic

• Without

• -ful

Answer explanation

Each suffix has a specific meaning: '-less' means without (e.g., fearless), '-ful' means full of (e.g., hopeful), '-al' means relating to (e.g., musical), and '-ic' means having characteristics of (e.g., heroic).

To change the noun 'beauty' into an adjective using the suffix '-ful', you must change the 'y' to 'i'. Which word is spelled correctly?

• beautyful

• beautifull

• beautiful

• beautful

Answer explanation

The correct spelling rule when adding a suffix to a noun ending in 'y' is to change the 'y' to an 'i', making 'beautiful'. 'Beautyful' and 'beautful' are misspelled, and 'beautifull' incorrectly adds a second 'l'.

Sort these adjectives based on whether they are formed with the suffix '-al' or '-ous'.

Groups:

(a) Ends with -al

,

(b) Ends with -ous

• dangerous

• fictional

• famous

• magical

• poisonous

• personal

Answer explanation

Adjectives are sorted by their ending. 'Magical', 'fictional', and 'personal' use the suffix '-al'. 'Poisonous', 'dangerous', and 'famous' use the suffix '-ous'.

The old castle had a (a)   atmosphere that made us feel like we were in a fairy tale.

• magically
• magic
• magical
• magician

Answer explanation

The word 'magical' is the correct adjective to describe the noun 'atmosphere'. 'Magic' is a noun, 'magically' is an adverb, and 'magician' is a noun for a person.

The prefix 'un-' can be added to the noun 'truth' to make the adjective 'untruthful'. What does an 'untruthful' statement describe?

• Something that is completely true.

• Something that is not honest or true.

• Something told with great care.

• Something that is a funny story.

Answer explanation

The prefix 'un-' means 'not'. Therefore, 'untruthful' means not truthful or not honest.

Match each noun to its correct adjective form, paying attention to spelling changes.

• Athletic

• Athlete

• Natural

• Nature

• Furious

• Fame

• Famous

• Fury

Answer explanation

Each noun transforms into an adjective with a specific suffix and spelling: Fame -> Famous (-ous), Fury -> Furious (y becomes i, adds -ous), Nature -> Natural (-al), Athlete -> Athletic (-ic).

The prefix 'non-' is added to a noun like 'fiction' to create the adjective 'nonfiction'. What does the prefix 'non-' mean?

• Full of

• Again

• Not

• Before

Answer explanation

The prefix 'non-' means 'not'. 'Nonfiction' books are based on facts, not imagination.

Sort these adjectives into groups based on the meaning of their suffix.

Groups:

(a) Meaning 'full of'

,

(b) Meaning 'without'

• painless

• useless

• powerful

• hopeful

• harmless

• joyful

Answer explanation

Words with the suffix '-ful' mean 'full of' something (hope, power, joy). Words with the suffix '-less' mean 'without' something (harm, pain, use).