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Unlocking Words: Roots, Prefixes, and Suffixes

Grade 8 ELA worksheet focusing on determining word meaning through common roots, prefixes, and suffixes.

Grade 8 ELA GrammarLanguage and VocabularyVocabularyDetermining Meaning Using Roots, Prefixes, and Suffixes
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Includes

Fill in the BlanksMatchingMultiple ChoiceShort AnswerTrue / FalseWord Bank

Standards

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.8.4.b

Topics

ELAVocabularyRootsPrefixesSuffixesGrade 8
8 sections · Free to use · Printable
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Unlocking Words: Roots, Prefixes, and Suffixes

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Date:

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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.

Complete each sentence by adding the correct prefix (un-, re-, pre-, dis-, sub-) to the root word to form a new word that fits the context.

1. He had to   (do) his homework because he made too many mistakes.

2. It is   (possible) to finish the race without training.

3. Always   (view) a movie trailer before deciding to watch it.

4. The students   (agree) with the teacher's decision.

5. A   (marine) is a vessel that travels underwater.

Match each root word on the left with its correct meaning on the right.

1. Aud

 

a. Write

2. Bio

 

b. Life

3. Graph

 

c. See

4. Vis

 

d. Hear

Choose the best answer for each question regarding suffixes.

1. Which suffix would you add to the word 'govern' to make it a noun meaning 'the act of governing'?

a

-ful

b

-ment

c

-able

d

-ly

2. What does the suffix '-ology' typically mean?

a

Full of

b

The study of

c

Without

d

Capable of

Read the following words. For each word, identify the prefix, root, and suffix (if present) and explain how each part contributes to the word's overall meaning.

1. Unbelievable

2. Biology

Determine if the following statements about word parts are true or false.

1. A prefix is a word part added to the end of a root word.

T

True

F

False

2. The root word 'geo' means 'earth'.

T

True

F

False

Use the words from the word bank to complete the sentences below.

audible
autobiography
microscope
transport

1. The sound of the faint music was barely  .

2. She wrote her   detailing her life story.

3. Scientists use a   to view tiny organisms.

4. Buses   passengers from one city to another.