This worksheet focuses on
prefixes and suffixes — word parts added to the beginning (prefix) or end (suffix) of a root word to change its meaning. The goal is to complete each sentence by adding the correct prefix or suffix to form a meaningful word that fits the context.
Let’s solve each one step by step:
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1. The kids were very ___happy when their soccer game was rained out.
→ If the game was rained out, they’d be *unhappy*.
✔ Answer: un
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2. Mom had to ___heat the oven before she could bake the cake.
→ “Preheat” means to heat beforehand.
✔ Answer: pre
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3. I had to ___read the question so I could understand it.
→ If you need to read again to understand, it’s “reread”.
✔ Answer: re
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4. The firefighter was fear___ as he ran into the burning house to save the family.
→ Fearless = without fear → brave.
✔ Answer: less
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5. We watched the fireworks ___plode in the night sky.
→ “Explode” = burst outward.
✔ Answer: ex
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6. We had to ___ware of snakes while we were hiking through the woods.
→ “Beware” = be cautious of.
✔ Answer: be
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7. She was the young___ girl in the whole class.
→ “Youngest” = superlative form for youngest person.
✔ Answer: est
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8. The ground was complete___ covered with snow after the blizzard.
→ “Completely” = fully, entirely → adverb form of “complete”.
✔ Answer: ly
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9. The lights added a magic___ touch to the play.
→ “Magical” = having magic; adjective form.
✔ Answer: al
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10. Callie had to ___tie her shoes so she could take them off.
→ “Untie” = to loosen or undo a knot.
✔ Answer: un
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11. Our teacher told us to be care___ with the pottery we made.
→ “Careful” = showing care, cautious.
✔ Answer: ful
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12. The brown dog was small___ than the black dog.
→ “Smaller” = comparative form of “small”.
✔ Answer: er
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13. The farm___ took the hay into the barn.
→ “Farmer” = person who works on a farm.
✔ Answer: er
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14. The boy was ___honest when he told the teacher he finished his work.
→ “Dishonest” = not honest → lying.
✔ Answer: dis
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✔ Final Answers:
1.
un
2.
pre
3.
re
4.
less
5.
ex
6.
be
7.
est
8.
ly
9.
al
10.
un
11.
ful
12.
er
13.
er
14.
dis
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💡 Teaching Tip:
This exercise helps students understand how prefixes and suffixes alter meaning:
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Prefixes (like *un-, pre-, re-, dis-*) often change the meaning of the root word.
-
Suffixes (like *-less, -ly, -al, -er, -est, -ful, -er*) often change the word’s part of speech (noun → adjective, verb → adverb, etc.) or indicate comparison.
Understanding these patterns builds vocabulary and reading comprehension!
Let me know if you’d like a printable version or flashcards for these!
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of prefixes and suffixes worksheets.
