Here's the completed worksheet with explanations for each word:
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PREFIXES, ROOT WORDS, SUFFIXES
| Word | PREFIXES | SUFFIX | ROOT WORD |
|--------------|--------------|-----------|-------------|
|
tallest | — |
-est |
tall |
|
younger | — |
-er |
young |
|
become | — | — |
become |
|
unhappy |
un- | — |
happy |
|
preschool |
pre- | — |
school |
|
disappear |
dis- | — |
appear |
|
underground |
under- | — |
ground |
|
misspoke |
mis- | — |
spoke |
|
ungrateful |
un- | — |
grateful |
|
replay |
re- | — |
play |
|
worthless | — |
-less |
worth |
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📝 Explanation of Each Word:
1.
tallest
- *Suffix*: “-est” → makes it a superlative (most tall)
- *Root word*: “tall”
- *Prefix*: none
2.
younger
- *Suffix*: “-er” → makes it comparative (more young)
- *Root word*: “young”
- *Prefix*: none
3.
become
- This is a complete root word by itself.
- *No prefix or suffix.*
4.
unhappy
- *Prefix*: “un-” → means “not”
- *Root word*: “happy”
- *Suffix*: none
5.
preschool
- *Prefix*: “pre-” → means “before”
- *Root word*: “school”
- *Suffix*: none
6.
disappear
- *Prefix*: “dis-” → often means “not” or “reverse of”
- *Root word*: “appear”
- *Suffix*: none
7.
underground
- *Prefix*: “under-” → means “below”
- *Root word*: “ground”
- *Suffix*: none
8.
misspoke
- *Prefix*: “mis-” → means “wrongly”
- *Root word*: “spoke” (past tense of “speak”)
- *Suffix*: none
*(Note: Though “spoke” is a past tense form, in this context it’s treated as the root word since “mis-” attaches to it.)*
9.
ungrateful
- *Prefix*: “un-” → means “not”
- *Root word*: “grateful”
- *Suffix*: none
10.
replay
- *Prefix*: “re-” → means “again”
- *Root word*: “play”
- *Suffix*: none
11.
worthless
- *Suffix*: “-less” → means “without”
- *Root word*: “worth”
- *Prefix*: none
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✔ Important Note: Not all words have prefixes or suffixes — some are just root words (like “become”), and others may only have one affix (prefix OR suffix). Always look for common affixes first, then identify the base meaning (root).
This breakdown helps students understand how words are built and how meaning changes with added parts.
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 root words and suffixes worksheet.