Understanding Prefixes, Suffixes, and Root Words

The video tutorial explains how strong readers use tools like root words, prefixes, and suffixes to understand unfamiliar words. It introduces root words as the most basic parts of words, using 'happy' as an example. The tutorial then explains prefixes, such as 'un-', which means 'not' or 'opposite', and suffixes like '-est', which means 'the most'. Examples include 'unhappy' and 'happiest'. The video concludes with an example of using the prefix 're-' to form 'retry', meaning 'try again'.

What is a root word?

• A word that can be broken into smaller parts

• The most basic part of a word

• A word that has a prefix

• A word that has a suffix

What does the prefix 'un-' mean when added to a word?

• Again

• Very

• Not or the opposite of

• Most

What does the suffix '-est' signify when added to a word?

• Not

• Less

• More

• Most

If 'try' is a root word, what does 'retry' mean?

• Try again

• Try not to

• Try less

• Try for the first time

How can prefixes and suffixes help us?

• They help us figure out the meanings of new words

• They are used only in complex words

• They make words longer

• They make words sound better