Grade 3 · English Language Arts · Unit 3 of 13
Prefixes & Suffixes
Word parts that change meaning
What your child practises
Learning what prefixes (un-, re-, pre-, dis-) and suffixes (-ful, -less, -er, -ly) mean, finding base words and using new words in sentences.
Alberta Curriculum learning outcome: Read complex words, phrases, and passages fluently and with expression.; Demonstrate grammar, spelling, and punctuation that clarify written communication. · reading complex words using prefixes, suffixes and base words
Sample questions
A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.
Question 1
Which prefix means “before”?
- un-
- pre-
- re-
Show answer
pre-
Hint: Think of “preheat”: to heat before cooking.
Question 2
What does “hopeless” mean?
hopeless
- hope again
- full of hope
- without hope
Show answer
without hope
Hint: The suffix -less means without. So “hopeless” means “without hope.”
Question 3
What does “prepay” mean?
prepay
- pay again
- pay before
- not pay
Show answer
pay before
Hint: The prefix pre- means before. So “prepay” means “pay before.”
Question 4
What does “dishonest” mean?
dishonest
- very honest
- not honest
- honest again
Show answer
not honest
Hint: The prefix dis- means not, or the opposite of. So “dishonest” means “not honest.”
Question 5
Which word means “not kind”?
- kindly
- unkind
- kinder
Show answer
unkind
Hint: Look at the word parts. The prefix un- means not. So “unkind” means “not kind.”
Question 6
What does the suffix “-less” mean in “spotless”?
- again
- without
- full of
Show answer
without
Hint: A spotless shirt has no spots: it is without spots.