Prefixes and Suffixes

In the word 'disagree', what does the prefix 'dis-' mean?

• Again

• Not or opposite of

• With

• Before

Answer explanation

The prefix 'dis-' means 'not' or 'the opposite of'. To disagree is to not agree with someone.

Match each word to the meaning of its suffix.

• Suffix meaning 'without'

• thankful

• Suffix meaning 'the act or result of'

• punishment

• Suffix meaning 'full of'

• painless

Answer explanation

The suffix '-ment' means 'the act or result of' (result of punishing), '-ful' means 'full of' (full of thanks), and '-less' means 'without' (without pain).

If a movie was described as 'endless', what does that mean?

• It was full of ends.

• It seemed to have no end.

• It was the result of an end.

• It was ending again.

Answer explanation

The suffix '-less' means 'without'. Therefore, 'endless' means without an end.

Sort these words based on the meaning of their prefix: 'Again' or 'Not'.

Groups:

(a) Prefix means 'Again'

,

(b) Prefix means 'Not'

• dislike

• reappear

• rewrite

• unhappy

Answer explanation

The prefix 're-' means 'again' (rewrite, reappear), while the prefixes 'un-' and 'dis-' mean 'not' (unhappy, dislike).

The prefix 'bi-' is found in words like 'bicycle' and 'bimonthly'. What does this prefix mean?

• One

• Two

• Many

• Self

Answer explanation

The prefix 'bi-' means 'two'. A bicycle has two wheels, and a bimonthly event happens every two months. By knowing the prefix, you can infer the meaning of unfamiliar words.

Match each prefix to its correct meaning.

• Meaning 'self' or 'on its own'

• anti-

• Meaning 'against' or 'opposite'

• co-

• Meaning 'together' or 'with'

• auto-

Answer explanation

The prefix 'co-' means 'together' (co-worker), 'anti-' means 'against' (antisocial), and 'auto-' means 'self' (autograph).

The suffix '-ment' in the word 'amazement' changes the word to mean...

• the state of being amazed.

• one who is amazed.

• without amazement.

• full of amazement.

Answer explanation

The suffix '-ment' often turns a verb (amaze) into a noun that describes the action, result, or state of being (amazement).

Sort these words by the meaning of their suffix: 'Full Of' or 'Without'.

Groups:

(a) Suffix means 'Full Of'

,

(b) Suffix means 'Without'

• hopeful

• powerless

• fearless

• careful

Answer explanation

Words with the suffix '-ful' mean 'full of' something (hope, care). Words with the suffix '-less' mean 'without' something (fear, power).

If you need to heat your lunch for a second time in the microwave, you would...

• unheat it.

• coheat it.

• reheat it.

• antiheat it.

Answer explanation

The prefix 're-' means 'again'. To 'reheat' something is to heat it again. The other prefixes do not fit this meaning.

Match each root word to the prefix that correctly changes its meaning to 'opposite of' or 'not'.

• im-

• polite

• dis-

• agree

• un-

• certain

Answer explanation

The prefix 'im-' is used with 'polite' to form 'impolite' (not polite). The prefix 'dis-' is used with 'agree' to form 'disagree' (not agree). The prefix 'un-' is used with 'certain' to form 'uncertain' (not certain).