Prefixes: pre, re, un, mis online exercise for - Free Printable

Let's solve this worksheet step by step.

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Part 1: Circle the best prefix to add to each base word. Write the new word and its meaning.

We are given a list of base words and three prefixes to choose from: pre-, re-, un-, mis-. For each base word, we need to pick the most appropriate prefix to form a meaningful word, write the new word, and then define it.

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#### 1. Base Word: heat
- Prefix options: pre-, mis-, un-
- Possible combinations:
- preheat → means to heat something before cooking.
- misheat? (not a real word)
- unheat? (not common; not standard)
- ✔ Best choice: pre-
- New Word: *preheat*
- Meaning: To heat something in advance, usually before cooking.

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#### 2. Base Word: read
- Prefix options: un-, re-, mis-
- Possible combinations:
- unread → not read (e.g., unread email)
- reread → to read again
- misread → to read incorrectly
- But here we must pick one. Let's consider context: "re-" often means "again", which fits with "read" → reread
- ✔ Best choice: re-
- New Word: *reread*
- Meaning: To read something again.

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#### 3. Base Word: lead
- Prefix options: re-, mis-, un-
- Possible combinations:
- relead? (not a common word)
- mislead → to cause someone to believe something false
- unlead? (not standard)
- ✔ Best choice: mis-
- New Word: *mislead*
- Meaning: To give someone wrong information or guide them in the wrong direction.

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#### 4. Base Word: view
- Prefix options: pre-, un-, mis-
- Possible combinations:
- preview → to see something before it is released
- unview? (not a word)
- misview? (not standard)
- ✔ Best choice: pre-
- New Word: *preview*
- Meaning: To see or experience something before it is officially released or available.

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#### 5. Base Word: spell
- Prefix options: un-, mis-, re-
- Possible combinations:
- unspell? (not common)
- misspell → to spell incorrectly
- respell? (rare, but possible)
- ✔ Best choice: mis-
- New Word: *misspell*
- Meaning: To write a word with incorrect letters or order.

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Part 2: Use a prefix and a base word to write a word for each definition.

Now we need to create a word using one of the prefixes (pre-, re-, un-, mis-) and a base word that matches the definition.

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#### 1. To teach something before
- We need a word meaning "to teach ahead of time."
- Prefix: pre- (before)
- Base word: teach
- ✔ Answer: *preteach* (though rare, "pre-teach" is used informally)
- But more commonly, people say "pre-instruct" or "preview." However, since "teach" is likely expected, preteach is acceptable.
- Alternatively, if we use "instruct," but base word isn't given. So stick with preteach.
- ✔ Answer: *preteach*

> Note: While "preteach" isn’t extremely common, it’s used in educational contexts.

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#### 2. To take a test over again
- “Again” → re-
- Base word: test
- ✔ Answer: *retake*
- Meaning: To take a test again.

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#### 3. To put something in the wrong place
- “Wrong” → mis-
- Base word: place
- ✔ Answer: *misplace*
- Meaning: To put something in the wrong location.

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#### 4. To write something again
- “Again” → re-
- Base word: write
- ✔ Answer: *rewrite*
- Meaning: To write something again, often to improve it.

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#### 5. Not afraid
- “Not” → un-
- Base word: afraid
- ✔ Answer: *unafraid*
- Meaning: Not feeling fear.

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#### 6. To do the opposite of lock
- “Opposite” → un-
- Base word: lock
- ✔ Answer: *unlock*
- Meaning: To open or release something that was locked.

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#### 7. Not equal
- “Not” → un-
- Base word: equal
- ✔ Answer: *unequal*
- Meaning: Not the same in value, size, or status.

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#### 8. To pay for something beforehand
- “Beforehand” → pre-
- Base word: pay
- ✔ Answer: *prepay*
- Meaning: To pay in advance.

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#### 9. To behave the wrong way
- “Wrong way” → mis-
- Base word: behave
- ✔ Answer: *misbehave*
- Meaning: To act in a bad or improper way.

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#### 10. To make something again
- “Again” → re-
- Base word: make
- ✔ Answer: *remake*
- Meaning: To make something again, often with changes.

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✔ Final Answers:

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Part 1:

| Prefix | Base Word | New Word | Meaning |
|--------|-----------|--------------|---------|
| 1. pre- | heat | preheat | To heat something before cooking. |
| 2. re- | read | reread | To read something again. |
| 3. mis- | lead | mislead | To give someone wrong information. |
| 4. pre- | view | preview | To see something before it is released. |
| 5. mis- | spell | misspell | To spell incorrectly. |

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Part 2:

1. To teach something before → preteach
2. To take a test over again → retake
3. To put something in the wrong place → misplace
4. To write something again → rewrite
5. Not afraid → unafraid
6. To do the opposite of lock → unlock
7. Not equal → unequal
8. To pay for something beforehand → prepay
9. To behave the wrong way → misbehave
10. To make something again → remake

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✔ All answers are based on standard English vocabulary and prefix meanings. This worksheet helps students understand how prefixes change the meaning of base words.