Suffixes

The suffix '-able' in a word like 'readable' or 'washable' means what?

• Full of

• Capable of being

• The act of

• Without

Answer explanation

The suffix '-able' means 'capable of being' or 'worthy of'. For example, 'readable' means capable of being read.

In the sentence, 'The artist's work was very creative,' how does the suffix '-ive' change the base word 'create'?

• It changes the verb 'create' into an adjective describing a quality.

• It changes the verb 'create' into a noun meaning a person who creates.

• It makes the word mean the opposite of creating.

• It keeps the word as a verb but puts it in the past tense.

Answer explanation

The suffix '-ive' is used to turn verbs (like 'create') into adjectives (like 'creative') that describe a tendency or quality.

Sort these words based on the part of speech their suffix creates. The categories are: Forms a Noun and Forms an Adjective.

Groups:

(a) Forms a Noun

,

(b) Forms an Adjective

• childish

• heroic

• criticism

• movement

• government

• adventurous

Answer explanation

The suffixes '-ment' and '-ism' typically form nouns. The suffixes '-ic', '-ous', and '-ish' typically form adjectives.

My friend's artwork shows a strong preference for realism, as she dislikes abstract or symbolic paintings. What does the suffix '-ism' suggest in the word realism?

• A person who does something

• A state of being small

• A belief, practice, or system

• The quality of being full of something

Answer explanation

The suffix '-ism' is used to form nouns that refer to a doctrine, belief system, or practice, such as 'realism', 'optimism', or 'socialism'.

Adding the suffix '-ment' to the verb 'achieve' creates the word 'achievement'. What is the primary effect of this suffix?

• It changes the word into an adjective.

• It changes the action (verb) into a thing or result (noun).

• It gives the word the opposite meaning.

• It describes how the action is performed.

Answer explanation

The suffix '-ment' is a noun-forming suffix that often indicates the result of an action. It changes the verb 'achieve' into the noun 'achievement'.

Sort these words into groups based on the meaning of their suffix. The categories are: State of Being and Full of a Quality.

Groups:

(a) State of Being

,

(b) Full of a Quality

• brotherhood

• joyous

• adulthood

• nervous

• childhood

• glorious

Answer explanation

The suffix '-hood' indicates a state of being (the state of being a child). The suffix '-ous' means 'full of' or 'characterized by' (full of joy).

Which word best completes the sentence? Be ______ with that glass vase; it's very fragile.

• careful

• careless

• caring

• care

Answer explanation

The context requires an adjective meaning 'full of care'. 'Careful' fits this meaning. 'Careless' means the opposite, and 'caring' describes a personality trait.

Match each base word to the suffix and spelling rule required to form a new word.

• -ance (change y to i)

• create

• -ness (change y to i)

• happy

• -able (drop the final e)

• advise

• -ive (drop the final e)

• rely

Answer explanation

These matches show the correct spelling rules for adding suffixes: 'reliance' (rely + -ance), 'creative' (create + -ive), 'happiness' (happy + -ness), and 'advisable' (advise + -able).

Sort these verbs based on which noun-forming suffix they typically take. The categories are: Takes '-tion' and Takes '-ment'.

Groups:

(a) Takes '-tion'

,

(b) Takes '-ment'

• educate

• appoint

• achieve

• amuse

• invent

• create

Answer explanation

Certain verbs pair with specific suffixes to form nouns. We say 'education' and 'creation' (using -tion), but 'achievement' and 'appointment' (using -ment).

What is the base word of courageous?

• Courage

• Rage

• Age

• Cour

Answer explanation

The adjective 'courageous' is formed by adding the suffix '-ous' to the noun 'courage'. The 'e' is dropped before adding the suffix.