Absolutely! Let's solve this “Root Words” worksheet step by step.
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📚 What is a Root Word?
A
root word (or base word) is the core part of a word that carries the main meaning. It’s what remains after you remove prefixes (like *un-*, *re-*) and suffixes (like *-ed*, *-ing*, *-s*, *-y*).
The goal is to strip away those extra parts and find the original, simplest form of the word.
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✏️ Let’s go through each word:
#### 1.
sleepy
- Suffix: `-y` (makes it an adjective — “full of sleep”)
- Root word:
sleep
#### 2.
worked
- Suffix: `-ed` (past tense verb ending)
- Root word:
work
#### 3.
dishes
- Suffix: `-es` (plural form — usually for words ending in *sh*)
- Root word:
dish
#### 4.
unhappy
- Prefix: `un-` (means “not”)
- Root word:
happy
#### 5.
speedy
- Suffix: `-y` (makes it an adjective — “full of speed”)
- Root word:
speed
#### 6.
rewrite
- Prefix: `re-` (means “again”)
- Root word:
write
#### 7.
jumped
- Suffix: `-ed` (past tense)
- Root word:
jump
#### 8.
reads
- Suffix: `-s` (third person singular present tense)
- Root word:
read
> 💡 Note: “Read” is pronounced differently in present tense (“reed”) vs past tense (“red”), but it’s still the same root word.
#### 9.
remix
- Prefix: `re-` (means “again”)
- Root word:
mix
#### 10.
sporty
- Suffix: `-y` (makes it an adjective — “full of sport” or “related to sport”)
- Root word:
sport
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✔ Final Answers:
| Words | Root Words |
|-----------|------------|
| e.g. playing | play |
| 1. sleepy |
sleep |
| 2. worked |
work |
| 3. dishes |
dish |
| 4. unhappy |
happy |
| 5. speedy |
speed |
| 6. rewrite |
write |
| 7. jumped |
jump |
| 8. reads |
read |
| 9. remix |
mix |
| 10. sporty |
sport |
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🧠 Tip for Learning:
To find the root word, ask yourself:
> “What is the smallest word I can make from this that still makes sense?”
You’re basically “undoing” the grammar changes (adding -ed, -s, -y, un-, re-) to get back to the base.
Great job practicing root words — this helps with vocabulary, spelling, and understanding how words are built! 😊
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of base words worksheet.