prefix suffix root word online exercise for - Free Printable

Let's solve this worksheet step by step. The goal is to break down each word into its prefix, root word, and suffix. Remember:

- A prefix is added to the beginning of a word.
- A root word is the base or core meaning of the word.
- A suffix is added to the end of a word.

We’ll go through each word one at a time.

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1. tallest

- Prefix: none
- Root word: tall
- Suffix: -est
✔ (This matches the example already filled in.)

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2. unhappy

- Prefix: un-
- Root word: happy
- Suffix: none
> "Un-" means "not," so "unhappy" means "not happy."

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3. preschool

- Prefix: pre-
- Root word: school
- Suffix: none
> "Pre-" means "before," so "preschool" means "before school."

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4. disappear

- Prefix: dis-
- Root word: appear
- Suffix: none
> "Dis-" means "not" or "reversal," so "disappear" means "to cease to appear."

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5. younger

- Prefix: none
- Root word: young
- Suffix: -er
> "-er" is a comparative suffix, meaning "more than."

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6. become

- Prefix: be-
- Root word: come
- Suffix: none
> "Be-" is a prefix that often adds intensity or completes the meaning (e.g., become = to turn into).

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7. misspoke

- Prefix: mis-
- Root word: speak
- Suffix: -ed
> "Mis-" means "wrongly," and "-ed" is the past tense suffix. So "misspoke" means "spoke wrongly."

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8. ungrateful

- Prefix: un-
- Root word: grateful
- Suffix: none
> "Un-" means "not," so "ungrateful" means "not grateful."

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9. replay

- Prefix: re-
- Root word: play
- Suffix: none
> "Re-" means "again," so "replay" means "play again."

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10. worthless

- Prefix: none
- Root word: worth
- Suffix: -less
> "-less" means "without," so "worthless" means "without worth."

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11. underground

- Prefix: under-
- Root word: ground
- Suffix: none
> "Under-" means "beneath," so "underground" means "beneath the ground."

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Final Answer Table:

| Word | PREFIX | ROOT WORD | SUFFIX |
|-------------|--------|-----------|--------|
| tallest | | tall | est |
| unhappy | un- | happy | |
| preschool | pre- | school | |
| disappear | dis- | appear | |
| younger | | young | er |
| become | be- | come | |
| misspoke | mis- | speak | ed |
| ungrateful | un- | grateful | |
| replay | re- | play | |
| worthless | | worth | less |
| underground | under- | ground | |

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Explanation:

This exercise helps students understand how words are built using prefixes (beginning), root words (core meaning), and suffixes (endings). Recognizing these parts helps with vocabulary development, spelling, and understanding word meanings.

For example:
- "unhappy" → un- (not) + happy → not happy
- "disappear" → dis- (not/away) + appear → to go away from sight

This aligns with CCSS 2.L.4.b: determining the meaning of new words formed when a known prefix is added.

✔ All answers are now correctly identified!