Forming Adjectives (noun + prefix/suffix)

Which of the following suffixes is commonly added to a noun to turn it into an adjective meaning 'full of'?

• -less

• -ful

• -ness

• -ly

Answer explanation

The suffix '-ful' means 'full of,' as in 'joyful' (full of joy). The suffix '-less' means 'without,' '-ness' forms a noun, and '-ly' often forms an adverb.

Match each suffix to the meaning it adds to a base word.

• without

• -ous

• full of; having the quality of

• -ic

• relating to; pertaining to

• -al

• having characteristics of

• -less

Answer explanation

These suffixes change nouns into adjectives with specific meanings: '-ous' (joyous), '-less' (fearless), '-al' (musical), and '-ic' (heroic).

The artist was very create (a)   and thought of many new ideas for her painting.

• -ive
• -ion
• -or
• -ing

Answer explanation

The suffix '-ive' changes the verb 'create' into the adjective 'creative', which means having the nature of creating. The other suffixes do not form a describing word that fits the sentence.

To change the noun 'beauty' into an adjective, you add the suffix '-ful'. What is the correct spelling?

• beautyful

• beautifull

• beautiful

• beutyful

Answer explanation

When adding a suffix to a word ending in 'y' preceded by a consonant, you change the 'y' to 'i'. So, 'beauty' becomes 'beautiful'.

Sort these adjectives based on the meaning of their suffix.

Groups:

(a) Suffix means 'full of' or 'relating to'

,

(b) Suffix means 'without'

• magical

• powerless

• hopeful

• national

• wonderful

• careless

Answer explanation

Words with '-ful' and '-al' describe having a quality or relating to something, while words with '-less' describe being without a quality.

Match each noun to its correct adjective form.

• famous

• fame

• natural

• danger

• mysterious

• mystery

• dangerous

• nature

Answer explanation

Each noun is correctly changed into an adjective by adding a suffix ('-ous' or '-al') and applying the correct spelling rules, like dropping the 'e' in 'nature' before adding '-al'.

The science experiment had a very _________ effect on the plant, making it grow twice as fast.

• drama

• dramatic

• dramatize

• dramatically

Answer explanation

The sentence needs an adjective to describe the 'effect'. 'Dramatic' is the adjective form of the noun 'drama'. 'Drama' is a noun, 'dramatize' is a verb, and 'dramatically' is an adverb.

The room was so bright and full of sun that we needed sunglasses. It was a very (a)   day.

• sunny
• sunful
• sunal
• sunous

Answer explanation

To change the noun 'sun' into an adjective, you add the suffix '-y'. The spelling rule requires doubling the final consonant, making it 'sunny'. The other options are not real words.

Which prefix would you add to the noun 'fiction' to create an adjective meaning 'based on facts'?

• un-

• non-

• dis-

• pre-

Answer explanation

The prefix 'non-' means 'not'. Adding it to 'fiction' creates 'nonfiction', which describes something that is factual (not fiction). The other prefixes do not create the correct meaning.

Match the noun with the correct adjective form, paying attention to spelling changes.

• poisonous

• poison

• spacious

• glory

• athletic

• athlete

• glorious

• space

Answer explanation

This tests several spelling rules: 'athlete' becomes 'athletic', 'space' becomes 'spacious' (drop 'e', add '-ious'), 'poison' becomes 'poisonous', and 'glory' becomes 'glorious' (change 'y' to 'i', add '-ous').