Understanding Words: Roots, Prefixes, and Suffixes
A Grade 5 ELA worksheet focusing on determining the meaning of words by analyzing their roots, prefixes, and suffixes.
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Understanding Words: Roots, Prefixes, and Suffixes
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Read each question carefully and follow the instructions to determine the meaning of words using your knowledge of prefixes, suffixes, and root words.
Many English words are made up of smaller parts: a root word, a prefix, and/or a suffix.
A root word is the basic part of a word that carries the main meaning. A prefix is a group of letters added to the beginning of a root word to change its meaning. A suffix is a group of letters added to the end of a root word to change its meaning or its part of speech.
1. In the word 'unhappy', 'un-' is the , and 'happy' is the .
2. In the word 'beautiful', '-ful' is the , and 'beauty' is the .
3. In the word 'reheat', 're-' is the , and 'heat' is the .
4. What does the prefix 'un-' mean?
again
not
before
with
5. If 'pre-' means 'before', what does 'pretest' mean?
a test taken again
a test given after
a test taken before
a very difficult test
Match each suffix to its correct meaning.
6. -less
a. full of
7. -able
b. without
8. -ful
c. able to be
9. The root word 'bio' means 'life'. What do you think the word 'biology' means?
10. The root word 'port' means 'carry'. If you 'transport' something, what are you doing?
Use the prefixes and suffixes below to create new words and explain their meaning.
11. Root word: 'write'. Add a prefix:
Meaning:
12. Root word: 'care'. Add a suffix:
Meaning:
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