Use Root Words as Meaning Clues - 3rd Grade Writing

1. Choose the meaning of "preview" using the root word "view."

   View before. "Pre-" means "before," so preview = view before.

2. Use the root word "fear" to define "fearless" in one short phrase.

   without fear; brave. The suffix "-less" means "without" or "lacking."

3. Identify the root word in the word "unhappy."

   happy. "Un-" is a prefix added to the root "happy."

4. Choose the best meaning of "companion" using the clue from "company."

   A person who goes with you; a friend with you. Company means "with others," so companion = one who is with you.

5. Choose the meaning of "rewrite" using the root word "write."

   Write again. "Re-" means "again," so rewrite = write again.

6. Choose the meaning of "disagree" using the root word "agree."

   Not agree. "Dis-" means "not," so disagree = not agree.

7. Use the root word "view" to define "preview" in one short phrase.

   view before; see ahead of time. "Pre-" means "before" in time or order.

8. Use the root word "help" to define "helpful" in one short phrase.

   able to help. The suffix "-ful" means "full of" or "having the quality of."

9. What is a root word in a longer word?

   A base word part that carries the main meaning. Root words contain core meanings that help decode related words.

10. Use the root word "hope" to define "hopeless" in one short phrase.

    without hope. "-less" creates a word meaning "without" the root quality.

11. Identify the root word in "bicycle."

    cycle. "Bi-" means "two," referring to two wheels.

12. Choose the meaning of "fearless" using the root word "fear."

    Without fear. "-less" means "without," so fearless = without fear.

13. Choose the meaning of "recycle" using the root word "cycle."

    Use again by putting into a new cycle. "Re-" means "again," so recycle = put into a cycle again.

14. Choose the meaning of "import" using the root word "port" (carry).

    Bring in; carry in. "Im-" means "in," so import = carry in.

15. Use the root word "use" to define "misuse" in one short phrase.

    use in the wrong way. "Mis-" means "wrongly" or "badly."

16. What is the best first step to use a known root to understand an unknown word?

    Find the root word inside the unknown word. Looking for familiar parts helps decode new vocabulary.

17. Choose the meaning of "portable" using the root word "port" (carry).

    Able to be carried. "Port" means "carry," and "-able" means "can be."

18. Use the root word "sure" to define "unsure" in one short phrase.

    not sure. "Un-" changes the meaning to the opposite.

19. Identify the root word shared by "company" and "companion."

    comp (with). Both words share "comp" meaning "together/with."

20. Choose the meaning of "careless" using the root word "care."

    Without care. "-less" means "without," so careless = without care.

21. Use the root word "care" to define "careless" in one short phrase.

    not careful. The suffix "-less" means "without" or "lacking."

22. Identify the root word in "transport."

    port. "Trans-" is a prefix meaning "across" added to "port."

23. Which clue best shows that two words share the same root word?

    They share the same base part with a related meaning. Words with common roots have connected meanings.

24. Choose the meaning of "unknown" using the root word "known."

    Not known. "Un-" means "not," so unknown = not known.

25. Use the root word "like" to define "unlike" in one short phrase.

    not like; different from. "Un-" negates or reverses the root word's meaning.

26. Use the root word "company" as a clue: what does "companion" mean?

    a person who goes with you; a friend. Both words share "compan-" meaning "together with."

27. Use the root word "kind" to define "unkind" in one short phrase.

    not kind; mean. The prefix "un-" means "not" or "opposite."

28. What should you do if the root gives only part of the meaning of the whole word?

    Use the root plus the prefix or suffix to refine the meaning. Prefixes and suffixes modify the root's core meaning.

29. Use the root word "agree" to define "disagree" in one short phrase.

    not agree. "Dis-" creates the opposite meaning of the root word.

30. Use the root word "heat" to define "reheat" in one short phrase.

    heat again. The prefix "re-" means to do something again.

31. Choose the meaning of "helpful" using the root word "help."

    Full of help; giving help. "-ful" means "full of," so helpful = full of help.

32. Identify the root word in "teacher."

    teach. "-er" is a suffix meaning "one who" added to the root.

33. What does the term root word mean in vocabulary study?

    A base word that can help explain related words. Root words are the core parts that give meaning to word families.

34. Use the root word "appear" to define "disappear" in one short phrase.

    stop appearing; go away. The prefix "dis-" means "not" or "opposite of."

35. Use the root word "play" to define "playful" in one short phrase.

    acting like playing; fun. The suffix "-ful" adds the meaning "full of" to the root.

36. Use the root word "read" to define "reread" in one short phrase.

    read again. The prefix "re-" means "again" or "back."

37. Identify the root word in the word "unhappy".

    happy. Remove the prefix "un-" to find the base word.

38. What is the best strategy for using a known root to understand an unknown word?

    Find the root, recall its meaning, then connect it to the new word. This three-step process helps decode unfamiliar words systematically.

39. Use the root word "write" to define "rewrite" in one short phrase.

    write again. "Re-" adds the meaning of doing something again.

40. Identify the root word in the word "replay."

    play. "Re-" is a prefix meaning "again" added to the root.

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