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prefixes and suffixes

My favorite letters are R and E; I add them to turn so youll come back to me!
GAYLE HOWARD (1945 ) AMERICAN COUNTRY SINGER

In this lesson, youll discover how word parts can help you figure out word meaning.

SOME WORDS ARE made up of parts, like base words, roots, prexes, and
sufxes. A base word is a real word that can stand alone. You can make new words from it by adding other word parts. Examples Base word think agree

Words made by adding parts thinking, rethink, unthinkable, thinker agreeable, disagree, agreement

A root cant stand alone. Many roots come from Greek or Latin words. Examples Root dict spect

Origin Latin for say Greek for observe

English example diction inspect

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A prex is a group of letters added to the beginning of a base word, like the re- in rethink. A prex changes the meaning of the base word. Examples Prex sub un-

Meaning under not

Example submarine, underwater vessel unbelieveable, not to be believed

A sufx is a group of letters added to the end of a base word. The sufx also changes the meaning of the base word. Examples Sufx -less -ly

Meaning without in that way

Examples sleepless, clueless, hopeless gladly, quickly, immediately

You can use word parts to help you gure out the meaning of unknown words. Look at parts of the word. Do you recognize the base word? Be aware that added parts can change the base words part of speech. For example, a verb might become a noun or a noun might become an adjective. Put the parts together and guess the meaning. Try out your idea in the sentence. If it makes sense, youre most likely right! Example I know he was upset, but his actions were indefensible! Prex Base Sufx indefens -ible notjustif(justify) -able Put the parts together: not justiable. Try it in the sentence: I know he was upset, but his actions were not justiable! Does it make sense? Yes!

P R AC T I C E 1 : T H E B I R D WO M A N
Read the selection, and then answer the questions that follow. (1) In 1804, explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark set out on an expedition to map thousands of miles, from the Dakotas to the Pacic Ocean. They knew they needed horses to cross the mountains, and that the

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Shoshone in the territory had horses. But Lewis and Clark didnt speak the Shoshone language, so how would they be able to trade with the Shoshone for fresh horses? Happily, the explorers found a solution. They would take along Sacagawea, a Shoshone whose name means Bird Woman, to speak for them. (2) On the long journey, Sacagawea did more than just intervene with the Shoshone for the explorers. She also helped the group survive. She could predict which plants were safe to eat and prepared nutritious meals. She used natural materials to make clothing for them to wear and medicines to cure their ills. And she reassured other Indian tribes along the way that the explorers were on a peaceful mission and meant them no harm. Just the sight of a young woman, who also brought along her young child, convinced tribes that this was no war party. Sacagawea also showed her bravery. When a sudden gust of strong wind almost capsized the boat in which she was riding, Sacagawea remained calm. She carefully recovered many important papers, medicine, and other vital supplies that would otherwise have been lost. Sacagaweas calmness under pressure and her hard work, earned high praise from Lewis and Clark. They honored her by naming part of a Montana river Bird Womans River. Later, statues of Sacagawea and books about her kept her memory alive. And in 2000, the U.S. Mint even honored Sacagawea by putting her image on a gold dollar coin!

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1. The root dict means say and the prex pre- means before, so predict means a. say afterwards, or contradict. b. tell again, or repeat. c. refuse to say, deny. d. say in advance, or foretell. 2. What does happily mean? a. happy again b. happy together c. in a happy way d. not in a good mood 3. The peace in peaceful is a. a root word. b. a base word. c. a prex. d. a sufx.

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4. The prex re- means again, so the word reassured means a. guaranteed again. b. forgot again. c. gave a gift again. d. all of the above 5. Which is the meaning of calmness? a. to be stressed again b. having an advantage c. the state of being calm d. have a reason to worry 6. How would knowing the root ven means come, go and the prex intermeans between help you gure out the meaning of intervene as used in the selection? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

P R AC T I C E 2 : PAW S F O R A L A R M
Read the selection, and then answer the questions that follow. (1) It was late when Dad pulled the van up to the old ski cabin. I grabbed a suitcase and headed toward the front door. My cat Sage jumped out to follow me, daintily scampering to keep the cold, wet snow away from her paws. Sage had a touch of arthritis and didnt nd winter weather enjoyable! (2) A sizeable carpet of snow covered the porch, so I dragged my feet to make a path for us. Dad unlocked the door and Sage scurried inside, looking for a dry place to nap. Dad built a re in the old replace, and soon the room was warm and cozy. (3) I went down the hall to my room, with Sage behind me. She jumped up on my bed and curled up in a small furry ball. Ill be joining you soon, I said. (4) Just then, Dad popped his head into the room. Lets call it a day, he said with a yawn. See you in the morning for an early ski? (5) I nodded in agreement, and Dad went to his room and shut the door. As I slipped under the covers, I looked out the window at the snow falling ever faster. The ski runs will be awesome tomorrow! I mumbled sleepily.

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(6) I dont know how long I was asleep before Sages whiskers rubbed against my face. Stop, I pleaded gently, but she purred loudly and pushed me with her head. Stop! I hissed, not even opening my eyes. She let out a loud MEOW! This was so unlike her. Shed slept beside me since she was a kitten, and shed never bothered me before! Just as I was about to drift back into a peaceful sleep, she leaped on me with all four paws . . . HARD! Then she zipped across the room and slammed up against the window glass! THUMP! (7) I opened my eyes, but everything was foggy . . . and my head hurt. Then I coughed . . . smoke . . . there was smoke seeping in under the door! I didnt open the door, I felt it like reghters say you should. The wood was hot . . . that meant there was re on the other side! We had to get out! (8) Sage batted her paws against the window glass. Okay, I get it, I cried as I ran to open the window, but it was stuck! I continued to push, and at last, it opened. Cold, fresh air filled my lungs as we climbed out the window. I picked up Sage and ran to the window of Dads room. I banged on the glass, but he didnt answer. So I threw a rock to break the glass, and screamed his name. Finally, he stumbled to the window and scrambled out. (9) The reghters who put out the blaze said sparks from the replace had set the rug on re. Well put in smoke alarms today, Dad said. I only wish wed had them last night!

(10) From what I hear, you had a live smoke alarm, one reghter said, stroking Sages soft fur. Shes quite a hero! Sage just purred and closed her eyes, anxious to get that nap at last! 7. If the root artho means joint and the sufx -itis means inammation, Sage most likely a. has difculty hearing. b. has aches and pains in her legs. c. has difculty seeing. d. has a problem eating cat food. 8. The sufx -able means capable of being and changes the base word size a. to a pronoun. b. to a verb. c. to an adjective. d. to a plural noun.

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9. The prex un- changes the base word like to mean a. the same. b. not understood. c. not known. d. not similar. 10. If the prex ad- means to and the Latin word jacere means lie near, the word adjacent means a. far-off. b. adjoining. c. distant. d. none of the above

P R AC T I C E 3 : F U R R Y F O R E C A S T E R
Read the selection, and then answer the questions that follow. (1) February 2 is Groundhog Day. In many places, people believe that on that day, the groundhog will come out of its subterranean burrow and predict the weather. Legends say that if its sunny that day, the groundhog will see its shadow, be frightened, go back into its burrow, and sleep some more. This is supposed to indicate that spring is still six weeks away. The legends add that if its cloudy, the groundhog wont see a shadow, so it will remain above ground. This is supposed to be a sign that spring will soon arrive! So every February, reporters rush to witness a groundhog pop up from underground. The journalists write about what happens and TV shows air video of the action as the groundhog exits its winter home. Are the legends believable? Well, scientists have recorded that clear February days are often followed by much colder ones. And its been noted that cloudy days in February are usually warm. Historical weather documents reveal that sometimes the groundhog is right, but other times it is mistaken. If you really want to know what the weather will be, check your local TV meteorologist!

(2)

(3)

11. Since terra means Earth, subterranean means a. above ground. b. below ground. c. at ground level. d. over the ground.

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12. If the sufx -ist means one who does, journalist means a. a person who sings. b. a person who cooks. c. a person who writes. d. a person who builds. 13. Which is the meaning of believable as used in the article? a. able to organize b. not truthful c. suspected d. worthy of belief