2nd Grade Writing Quiz: Determine Meanings Of Words With Prefixes
20 questions · exam conditions
0:00
Determine Meanings Of Words With PrefixesQuestion 1 of 20

How does the prefix un- change the meaning of kind in unkind?

means kind again
means very kind
means not kind
← Back to quizzes

2nd Grade Writing Quiz

2nd Grade Writing Quiz: Determine Meanings Of Words With Prefixes

Practice Determine Meanings Of Words With Prefixes in 2nd Grade Writing with focused quiz questions that help you check what you know, review explanations, and build confidence with test-style prompts.

What this quiz covers

This quiz focuses on Determine Meanings Of Words With Prefixes, giving you a quick way to practice the rules, question types, and explanations that matter most for 2nd Grade Writing.

How to use this quiz

Try each quiz question before looking at the correct answer. Use the explanations to review missed ideas, then come back to similar questions until the pattern feels familiar.

All questions

Question 1

How does the prefix un- change the meaning of kind in unkind?

  1. means kind again
  2. means very kind
  3. means not kind (correct answer)
Explanation: We are learning how prefixes change words. The prefix 'un-' means 'not.' So 'unkind' means 'not kind.'

Question 2

If place means put something somewhere, what does misplace mean?

  1. place it first
  2. place it wrong (correct answer)
  3. place it again
Explanation: This is about the prefix 'mis-.' The prefix 'mis-' means 'wrong.' So 'misplace' means 'place it wrong.'

Question 3

If safe means not in danger, what does unsafe mean?

  1. very safe
  2. not safe (correct answer)
  3. safe again
Explanation: We are using the prefix 'un-.' The prefix 'un-' means 'not.' So 'unsafe' means 'not safe.'

Question 4

If heat means make warm, what does preheat mean?

  1. heat after
  2. heat before (correct answer)
  3. not heat
Explanation: We're learning about the prefix 'pre-.' The prefix 'pre-' means 'before.' So 'preheat' means 'heat before.'

Question 5

The word retell means to tell  .

  1. again (correct answer)
  2. not
  3. before
Explanation: This is about the prefix 're-.' The prefix 're-' means 'again.' So 'retell' means to tell again.

Question 6

We will preheat the oven before cookies. What does preheat mean?

  1. heat after
  2. heat before (correct answer)
  3. not heat
Explanation: This tests prefix meanings. The prefix 'pre-' means before. Preheat means to heat before cooking.

Question 7

If happy means feeling good, what does unhappy mean?

  1. happy again
  2. not happy (correct answer)
  3. very happy
  4. happy
Explanation: This tests CCSS.L.2.4.b (determining the meaning of a new word formed when a known prefix is added to a known word). A prefix is a group of letters added to the beginning of a word that changes its meaning. Common grade 2 prefixes: (1) UN- means "not" or "opposite" (unhappy = not happy, unsafe = not safe, unlock = opposite of lock/remove lock, untie = opposite of tie), (2) RE- means "again" (reread = read again, retell = tell again, redo = do again, rebuild = build again), (3) PRE- means "before" (preview = view before, preheat = heat before, preschool = before regular school), (4) MIS- means "wrong" or "incorrectly" (misspell = spell wrong, misbehave = behave wrong, misplace = place wrong). When you know what a prefix means and what the base word means, you can figure out what the new word means by combining them: prefix meaning + base word meaning = new word meaning. This helps you understand many new words without looking them up. Choice B is correct because it combines the prefix meaning un- = not with the base word meaning happy = feeling good to get unhappy = not feeling good. The prefix un- added to happy changes the meaning to not happy, following the predictable pattern for this prefix. Choice C shows thinking un- means "very" instead of "not." Second graders often think un- means "very" instead of "not," forget that re- means "again," ignore the prefix and just use base word meaning, confuse which prefix means what, think unhappy means "very happy," think reread means just "read" without the "again," reverse prefix meanings (unlock = to lock). To help students: Create prefix meaning chart: UN- = not/opposite (unhappy, unsafe, unfair, unlock, untie, unwrap), RE- = again (reread, retell, redo, rewrite, rebuild, replay), PRE- = before (preview, preheat, pretest, preschool), MIS- = wrong (misspell, misbehave, misplace, misunderstand). Teach the formula: PREFIX meaning + BASE WORD meaning = NEW WORD meaning.

Question 8

Keisha was kind, but her words were unkind. What does unkind mean?

  1. kind again
  2. very kind
  3. not kind (correct answer)
Explanation: This tests prefix meanings. The prefix 'un-' means 'not.' Unkind means not kind.

Question 9

How does the prefix re- change the meaning of the word play in replay?​​

  1. play again (correct answer)
  2. not play
  3. play before
Explanation: This tests prefixes. The prefix 're-' means again. Replay means to play again.

Question 10

If you read a page again, you re  it. What word fits?​​

  1. reread (correct answer)
  2. unread
  3. read
Explanation: This tests prefixes. The prefix 're-' means to do something again. When you reread, you read again.

Question 11

The drawer was locked. Mom unlocked it. What does unlock mean?​

  1. lock it
  2. not lock it
  3. open the lock (correct answer)
Explanation: This tests prefix meanings. The prefix 'un-' reverses actions. Unlock means to open the lock.

Question 12

If safe means not in danger, what does unsafe mean?

  1. not safe (correct answer)
  2. safe again
  3. very safe
Explanation: This tests prefix meanings. The prefix 'un-' means 'not.' Unsafe means not safe.

Question 13

If you tell a story again, you retell it. What does retell mean?

  1. tell again (correct answer)
  2. not tell
  3. tell quietly
Explanation: This tests prefix meanings. The prefix 're-' means again. Retell means to tell a story again.

Question 14

If you read a page again, you reread it. What does reread mean?

  1. read again (correct answer)
  2. read first time
  3. read very fast
Explanation: This tests prefix meanings. The prefix 're-' means to do something again. When you reread, you read again.

Question 15

If lock means close with a key, what does unlock mean?

  1. open the lock (correct answer)
  2. make a new lock
  3. lock again
Explanation: This tests prefix meanings. The prefix 'un-' reverses the action. Unlock means to open the lock.

Question 16

Keisha was kind, but her words were unkind. What does unkind mean?​

  1. kind again
  2. not kind (correct answer)
  3. very kind
Explanation: This tests prefix meanings. The prefix 'un-' means 'not.' Unkind means not kind.

Question 17

If safe means not in danger, what does unsafe mean?​

  1. not safe (correct answer)
  2. safe again
  3. very safe
Explanation: This tests prefix meanings. The prefix 'un-' means 'not.' Unsafe means not safe.

Question 18

If you fill your cup again, you refill it. What does refill mean?​

  1. fill again (correct answer)
  2. empty it
  3. fill first
Explanation: This tests prefix meanings. The prefix 're-' means 'again.' Refill means to fill again.

Question 19

I tied my shoes, then I untied them. What does untie mean?​

  1. tie again
  2. make not tied (correct answer)
  3. tie tightly
Explanation: This tests prefix meanings. The prefix 'un-' reverses actions. Untie means to make not tied.

Question 20

I made a mistake, so I will redo it. What does redo mean?​

  1. do it again (correct answer)
  2. do it wrong
  3. not do it
Explanation: This tests prefix meanings. The prefix 're-' means 'again.' Redo means to do it again.