Let’s go step by step to solve each sentence using the correct prefix from the table.
We are given root words in parentheses, and we need to add a prefix that makes sense in the context of the sentence.
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1. He was unable to do his homework because he is _inattentive_ in class. (attentive)
→ Already solved as example: “in-” + “attentive” =
inattentive → means not attentive. ✔️
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2. The teacher underlined the word in red as it was ________. (correct)
→ We need a word meaning “not correct”.
From the table:
- “In-” can mean “not” → incorrect
- “Im-” also means “not”, but usually before ‘p’, ‘b’, ‘m’ → doesn’t fit here
- “Un-” can mean “not” → uncorrect?
✘ Not standard
Best choice:
incorrect → commonly used, fits with “in-” meaning “not”
✔ Answer:
incorrect
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3. The suspect was sentenced in court for his ________. (honesty)
→ Sentenced implies something bad — so we want the opposite of honesty.
Opposite of honesty = dishonesty
Prefix: “dis-” means “not, opposite, reverse” → dis + honesty =
dishonesty
✔ Answer:
dishonesty
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4. The hospital staff must ________ the surfaces to prevent the spread of diseases. (infect)
→ They want to *remove* infection or *prevent* it → so they need to make surfaces free from germs.
Root: infect → we want to say “make not infected” or “cleanse from infection”
Prefix: “dis-” can mean “reverse” → disinfect = remove infection
Also listed in table: Dis- → disagree, disappear → yes, “disinfect” is a real word!
✔ Answer:
disinfect
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5. Tony was angry to find that he had been ________ in the robbery case. (led)
→ He was led somewhere… but he’s angry → probably misled or wrongly led.
“Mis-” means “bad, wrong” → mislead = lead someone wrongly
Past tense: misled → but the blank needs past participle after “had been” →
misled
Wait — the root given is “led”, so adding “mis-” gives us “misled” → which is correct.
✔ Answer:
misled
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6. The mountains were ________ (visible) in the thick mist.
→ Thick mist means you can’t see them → so “not visible”
Prefix: “in-” means “not” → invisible
Also listed: In- → inaction, invisible → perfect match!
✔ Answer:
invisible
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7. The traffic warden gave me a ticket for ________ (proper) parking.
→ Got a ticket → means parking was NOT proper → improper
Prefix: “im-” means “not, without” → and it goes before ‘p’ → improper
Listed: Im- → impossible, improper → yes!
✔ Answer:
improper
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Now let’s list all answers clearly:
Final Answer:
1. inattentive
2. incorrect
3. dishonesty
4. disinfect
5. misled
6. invisible
7. improper
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of english prefixes and suffixes worksheet.
