Suffixes

The suffix '-able', as in 'washable' or 'likable', means what?

• full of

• capable of being

• without

• the act of

Answer explanation

The suffix '-able' is added to verbs to create adjectives, indicating that something is 'capable of being' acted upon. For example, 'washable' means capable of being washed.

Match each base word and its suffix to the word class it becomes.

• Becomes a noun (the act of governing)

• danger + -ous

• Becomes an adjective (full of danger)

• govern + -ment

• Becomes a noun (a belief or practice)

• critic + -ism

Answer explanation

Suffixes change a word's function. '-ment' and '-ism' often create nouns that refer to an act or a system, while '-ous' often creates adjectives that describe a quality.

Which word best completes the sentence? The firefighter's _____ actions saved everyone in the building.

• heroism

• hero

• heroic

• heroize

Answer explanation

The sentence needs an adjective to describe the 'actions.' The suffix '-ic' turns the noun 'hero' into the adjective 'heroic,' which means having the characteristics of a hero.

Sort these words into the correct group based on their suffix: Adjectives with '-ful' or Nouns with '-ment'.

Groups:

(a) Adjectives with '-ful'

,

(b) Nouns with '-ment'

• powerful

• excitement

• shipment

• joyful

• hopeful

• agreement

Answer explanation

The suffix '-ful' means 'full of' and creates adjectives (e.g., joyful). The suffix '-ment' often indicates an action or its result and creates nouns (e.g., agreement).

In the sentence, 'Maria was envious of her friend's new bike,' what does the word envious mean?

• Full of excitement

• Full of jealousy or desire for what someone else has

• Without any friends

• The state of being happy for someone

Answer explanation

The suffix '-ous' means 'full of.' In this context, the base word is 'envy.' Therefore, 'envious' means being 'full of envy,' which is the feeling of wanting something someone else possesses.

Match each suffix to its most common meaning.

• In a certain way or manner

• -less

• Without

• -ly

• A person who does or believes something

• -ist

Answer explanation

Each suffix has a specific meaning: '-less' means without (e.g., fearless), '-ist' refers to a person (e.g., artist), and '-ly' often creates an adverb describing how an action is done (e.g., slowly).

How does adding the suffix '-ion' to the verb 'create' change the word?

• It turns the verb into an adjective meaning 'creative'.

• It turns the verb into a noun meaning 'the act of creating'.

• It makes the word mean the opposite of create.

• It doesn't change the word's class, only its spelling.

Answer explanation

The suffix '-ion' is used to change verbs into nouns that represent an action, process, or result. For example, the verb 'create' becomes the noun 'creation'.

Which sentence uses a word with a suffix incorrectly?

• The mysterious music made the movie scarier.

• My little brother is very child-ful.

• The teacher's encouragement helped me pass the test.

• It was a painless visit to the dentist.

Answer explanation

The word 'child-ful' is not a standard English word. The correct adjective to describe someone acting like a child is 'childish.' This shows that not all suffixes can be added to all base words.

Sort these words based on the meaning their suffix adds: 'Full of,' 'Without,' or 'State of being.'

Groups:

(a) Full of

,

(b) Without

,

(c) State of being

• careless

• penniless

• friendship

• joyous

• leadership

• hopeful

Answer explanation

Words are sorted by the meaning of their suffix: '-ous' and '-ful' mean 'full of'; '-less' means 'without'; and '-ship' means 'state of being.'

Which suffix can be added to the base word 'predict' to create an adjective that describes something that can be foreseen?

• -ion

• -ment

• -able

• -ous

Answer explanation

The suffix '-able' means 'capable of being.' Adding it to the verb 'predict' creates the adjective 'predictable,' which means something is capable of being foreseen or predicted. The suffix '-ion' creates a noun (prediction), and '-ment' and '-ous' do not form standard English words with 'predict'.