What this quiz covers
This quiz focuses on Know Common Prefixes And Suffixes, giving you a quick way to practice the rules, question types, and explanations that matter most for Elementary School Reading.
Elementary School Reading Quiz: Know Common Prefixes And Suffixes
20 questions · exam conditions
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Know Common Prefixes And SuffixesQuestion 1 of 20
Please walk quietly in the library.
What does the suffix -ly mean in the word quietly?
Ain a certain way
Bwithout
Cagain
Dbefore
Elementary School Reading Quiz
Elementary School Reading Quiz: Know Common Prefixes And Suffixes
Practice Know Common Prefixes And Suffixes in Elementary School Reading with focused quiz questions that help you check what you know, review explanations, and build confidence with test-style prompts.
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
Please walk quietly in the library.
What does the suffix -ly mean in the word quietly?
- in a certain way (correct answer)
- without
- again
- before
Explanation: The suffix -ly means "in a certain way," so quietly means in a quiet way. Choice A is correct. -ly does not mean "without" (Choice B), "again," which is shown by re- (Choice C), or "before," which is shown by pre- (Choice D).
Question 2
Read the sentences: Ben was unhappy after the game. What does the prefix un- mean in unhappy?
- again
- not (correct answer)
- before
- wrong
Explanation: This question tests knowledge of common prefixes and suffixes (CCSS.RF.3.3.a: Identify and know the meaning of the most common prefixes and derivational suffixes). Students must recognize prefixes like un-, re-, pre-, dis-, mis- and suffixes like -ed, -ing, -er, -est, -ly, -ful, -less, -ness, and understand how they change base word meanings. A prefix is a word part added to the beginning of a base word that changes its meaning (un + happy = unhappy means 'not happy'). In this question, the word 'unhappy' has the prefix 'un-'. The base word is 'happy', which means feeling good or pleased. Adding 'un-' makes it mean 'not happy'. Choice B is correct because 'un-' means 'not', so happy + un- = unhappy means 'not happy'. For example, if Ben was unhappy after the game, he was not happy—he felt sad or disappointed. Choice A is incorrect because 'again' is the meaning of the prefix 're-', not 'un-'. This error occurs when students confuse similar prefixes or don't memorize prefix meanings correctly. To help students: Create affix anchor charts showing common prefixes (un-, re-, pre-, dis-, mis-) with meanings and examples. Practice with word building: Start with base word (happy), add affixes (unhappy), discuss meaning changes. Use opposite pairs to reinforce 'un-' meaning: happy/unhappy, kind/unkind, fair/unfair. Have students act out the meanings—show happy face, then unhappy face. Connect prefix meaning to whole word meaning explicitly: 'un- means not, so unhappy means not happy'.
Question 3
Read the sentences. "I agree with the plan, but my sister will disagree." The prefix dis- in disagree makes the word mean what?
- agree again
- not agree (correct answer)
- agree before
- agree quickly
Explanation: This question tests knowledge of common prefixes and suffixes (CCSS.RF.3.3.a: Identify and know the meaning of the most common prefixes and derivational suffixes). Students must recognize prefixes like un-, re-, pre-, dis-, mis- and suffixes like -ed, -ing, -er, -est, -ly, -ful, -less, -ness, and understand how they change base word meanings. A prefix is a word part added to the beginning of a base word that changes its meaning (un + happy = unhappy means 'not happy'). A suffix is a word part added to the end of a base word that changes its meaning or grammatical function (help + ful = helpful means 'full of help'; jump + ed = jumped means 'did jump in the past'). Common prefixes for grade 3: un- (not), re- (again), pre- (before), dis- (not/opposite), mis- (wrong). Common suffixes: -ed (past), -ing (present), -er (person who/more), -est (most), -ly (manner), -ful (full of), -less (without), -ness (state of). In this question, the word disagree has the prefix dis-. The base word is agree, which means 'to have the same opinion'. Adding dis- makes it mean 'not agree'. Choice B is correct because the prefix dis- means 'not' or 'opposite', so agree + dis- = disagree means 'to not have the same opinion'. For example, disagree means not agree, so if you disagree, you have a different opinion. Choice D is incorrect because it confuses dis- with -ly—dis- means 'not' not 'quickly'. This error occurs when students confuse affix meanings or incorrectly identify the affix. To help students: For -er/-est, link to comparison (2 things = -er, 3+ things = -est). Provide explicit instruction with multiple examples before expecting independent application.
Question 4
Read the sentences: Mia had to reread the page to understand it. What does the prefix re- mean in reread?
- not
- before
- again (correct answer)
- without
Explanation: This question tests knowledge of common prefixes and suffixes (CCSS.RF.3.3.a: Identify and know the meaning of the most common prefixes and derivational suffixes). Students must recognize prefixes like un-, re-, pre-, dis-, mis- and suffixes like -ed, -ing, -er, -est, -ly, -ful, -less, -ness, and understand how they change base word meanings. A prefix is a word part added to the beginning of a base word that changes its meaning (re + read = reread means 'read again'). In this question, the word 'reread' has the prefix 're-'. The base word is 'read', which means to look at and understand written words. Adding 're-' makes it mean 'read again'. Choice C is correct because 're-' means 'again', so read + re- = reread means 'read again'. For example, if Mia had to reread the page, she read it one time, then read it again to understand it better. Choice A is incorrect because 'not' is the meaning of the prefix 'un-' or 'dis-', not 're-'. This error occurs when students confuse prefix meanings or don't recognize that 're-' specifically means to do something again. To help students: Create affix anchor charts showing 're-' with multiple examples (reread, rewrite, redo, replay). Practice with actions: Have students do something, then redo it, emphasizing 'again'. Use graphic organizers showing base word in center with re- words around it. Teach the pattern: re- + action word = do the action again. Watch for students who confuse 're-' with other prefixes. Provide explicit instruction with movement activities—jump, then rejump; write, then rewrite.
Question 5
Read the sentences: I misspell some words when I write too fast. What does the prefix mis- mean in misspell?
- before
- wrong (correct answer)
- not
- again
Explanation: This question tests knowledge of common prefixes and suffixes (CCSS.RF.3.3.a: Identify and know the meaning of the most common prefixes and derivational suffixes). Students must recognize prefixes like un-, re-, pre-, dis-, mis- and suffixes like -ed, -ing, -er, -est, -ly, -ful, -less, -ness, and understand how they change base word meanings. A prefix is a word part added to the beginning of a base word that changes its meaning (mis + spell = misspell means 'spell wrong'). In this question, the word 'misspell' has the prefix 'mis-'. The base word is 'spell', which means to write the letters of a word correctly. Adding 'mis-' makes it mean 'spell wrong' or 'spell incorrectly'. Choice B is correct because 'mis-' means 'wrong' or 'badly', so spell + mis- = misspell means 'spell wrong'. For example, if I misspell words when writing fast, I spell them the wrong way—maybe writing 'freind' instead of 'friend'. Choice C is incorrect because 'not' is the meaning of the prefix 'un-' or 'dis-', not 'mis-'. This error occurs when students think all negative prefixes mean the same thing, but 'mis-' specifically means doing something wrong or badly, not just not doing it. To help students: Create examples showing the difference between 'not doing' and 'doing wrong': not understanding vs. misunderstanding (understanding wrong). Practice with common 'mis-' words: misbehave (behave badly), misplace (put in wrong place), mistake (wrong take/choice). Use role-play to show mishearing (hearing wrong) vs. not hearing. Connect to real errors: 'When you misspell, you don't just not spell—you spell it wrong!' Watch for students who confuse 'mis-' with 'un-'. Provide explicit examples showing the difference between wrong action and no action.
Question 6
Read the sentences. "We will preview the book cover before we start reading." What does the prefix pre- mean in the word preview?
- not
- again
- after
- before (correct answer)
Explanation: This question tests knowledge of common prefixes and suffixes (CCSS.RF.3.3.a: Identify and know the meaning of the most common prefixes and derivational suffixes). Students must recognize prefixes like un-, re-, pre-, dis-, mis- and suffixes like -ed, -ing, -er, -est, -ly, -ful, -less, -ness, and understand how they change base word meanings. A prefix is a word part added to the beginning of a base word that changes its meaning (un + happy = unhappy means 'not happy'). A suffix is a word part added to the end of a base word that changes its meaning or grammatical function (help + ful = helpful means 'full of help'; jump + ed = jumped means 'did jump in the past'). Common prefixes for grade 3: un- (not), re- (again), pre- (before), dis- (not/opposite), mis- (wrong). Common suffixes: -ed (past), -ing (present), -er (person who/more), -est (most), -ly (manner), -ful (full of), -less (without), -ness (state of). In this question, the word preview has the prefix pre-. The base word is view, which means 'to look at'. Adding pre- makes it mean 'look at before'. Choice D is correct because the prefix pre- means 'before', so view + pre- = preview means 'to look at something before'. For example, preview means view before, so you preview a book by looking at it before reading. Choice C is incorrect because it is the opposite meaning—pre- means 'before' not 'after'. This error occurs when students misremember affix meanings or focus only on base word. To help students: Connect affix meaning to whole word meaning explicitly, and for -ed/-ing, link to time (yesterday = -ed, today = -ing). Practice with multisensory activities like building words with letter tiles and acting out prefix meanings.
Question 7
Read the sentences: "I think we should clean up now. My brother will disagree and say we can wait." What does the prefix dis- mean in the word disagree?
- before
- not (correct answer)
- again
- in a quiet way
Explanation: This question tests knowledge of common prefixes and suffixes (CCSS.RF.3.3.a: Identify and know the meaning of the most common prefixes and derivational suffixes). Students must recognize prefixes like un-, re-, pre-, dis-, mis- and suffixes like -ed, -ing, -er, -est, -ly, -ful, -less, -ness, and understand how they change base word meanings. A prefix is a word part added to the beginning of a base word that changes its meaning (un + happy = unhappy means 'not happy'). A suffix is a word part added to the end of a base word that changes its meaning or grammatical function (help + ful = helpful means 'full of help'; jump + ed = jumped means 'did jump in the past'). Common prefixes for grade 3: un- (not), re- (again), pre- (before), dis- (not/opposite), mis- (wrong). Common suffixes: -ed (past), -ing (present), -er (person who/more), -est (most), -ly (manner), -ful (full of), -less (without), -ness (state of). In this question, the word disagree has the prefix dis-. The base word is agree, which means 'to have the same opinion'. Adding dis- makes it mean 'not agree'. Choice B is correct because it identifies the prefix dis- as meaning 'not'. The prefix dis- means 'not' or 'opposite', so agree + dis- = disagree means 'to not have the same opinion'. For example, disagree means not agree, so if you disagree with someone, you don't share their view. Choice A is incorrect because it confuses dis- with pre—dis- means 'not' not 'before'. This error occurs when students confuse similar prefixes or misremember affix meanings. To help students: Create affix anchor charts showing common prefixes (un-, re-, pre-, dis-, mis-) and suffixes (-ed, -ing, -er, -est, -ly, -ful, -less, -ness) with meanings and examples. Practice with word building: Start with base word (agree), add affixes (disagree, agreeing, agreement), discuss meaning changes. Use graphic organizers showing base word in center with affixed words around it. Teach opposite pairs (-ful/-less: helpful/helpless; un-/base: happy/unhappy). Practice identifying affixes by underlining/circling them in words. Connect affix meaning to whole word meaning explicitly. For -ed/-ing, link to time (yesterday = -ed, today = -ing). For -er/-est, link to comparison (2 things = -er, 3+ things = -est). Watch for: Students who don't recognize affixes in words, confuse affix meanings (un- and re-), or struggle to combine base + affix meaning. Provide explicit instruction with multiple examples before expecting independent application. Use multisensory activities (build words with letter tiles, act out prefix meanings).
Question 8
Read the sentences: "The kids are playing outside now. Later, they will come inside." What does the suffix -ing mean in the word playing?
- happening now (correct answer)
- happened in the past
- not
- full of
Explanation: This question tests knowledge of common prefixes and suffixes (CCSS.RF.3.3.a: Identify and know the meaning of the most common prefixes and derivational suffixes). Students must recognize prefixes like un-, re-, pre-, dis-, mis- and suffixes like -ed, -ing, -er, -est, -ly, -ful, -less, -ness, and understand how they change base word meanings. A prefix is a word part added to the beginning of a base word that changes its meaning (un + happy = unhappy means 'not happy'). A suffix is a word part added to the end of a base word that changes its meaning or grammatical function (help + ful = helpful means 'full of help'; jump + ed = jumped means 'did jump in the past'). Common prefixes for grade 3: un- (not), re- (again), pre- (before), dis- (not/opposite), mis- (wrong). Common suffixes: -ed (past), -ing (present), -er (person who/more), -est (most), -ly (manner), -ful (full of), -less (without), -ness (state of). In this question, the word playing has the suffix -ing. The base word is play, which means 'to engage in fun activity'. Adding -ing makes it mean 'playing now'. Choice A is correct because it identifies the suffix -ing as meaning 'happening now'. The suffix -ing means 'happening now', so play + -ing = playing means 'engaging in fun activity currently'. For example, playing means doing play now, so if kids are playing, it's happening at this moment. Choice B is incorrect because it confuses -ing with -ed— -ing means 'present' not 'past'. This error occurs when students confuse tense-related suffixes or misremember affix meanings. To help students: Create affix anchor charts showing common prefixes (un-, re-, pre-, dis-, mis-) and suffixes (-ed, -ing, -er, -est, -ly, -ful, -less, -ness) with meanings and examples. Practice with word building: Start with base word (play), add affixes (playing, played, player), discuss meaning changes. Use graphic organizers showing base word in center with affixed words around it. Teach opposite pairs (-ful/-less: helpful/helpless; un-/base: happy/unhappy). Practice identifying affixes by underlining/circling them in words. Connect affix meaning to whole word meaning explicitly. For -ed/-ing, link to time (yesterday = -ed, today = -ing). For -er/-est, link to comparison (2 things = -er, 3+ things = -est). Watch for: Students who don't recognize affixes in words, confuse affix meanings (un- and re-), or struggle to combine base + affix meaning. Provide explicit instruction with multiple examples before expecting independent application. Use multisensory activities (build words with letter tiles, act out prefix meanings).
Question 9
Read the sentences: "Our class has a helper who passes out papers. The helper is kind and careful." What does the suffix -er mean in the word helper?
- again
- person who (correct answer)
- without
- before
Explanation: The correct answer is right because the suffix -er means person who, so a helper is a person who helps pass out papers. Choice A is wrong because again is the meaning of the prefix re-, not the suffix -er. Choice C is wrong because without is the meaning of the suffix -less, not -er. Choice D is wrong because before is the meaning of the prefix pre-, not the suffix -er.
Question 10
Ana is a faster runner than her brother.
What does the suffix -er mean in the word faster?
- most
- happened already
- more (correct answer)
- before
Explanation: The suffix -er means "more," so faster means more fast when comparing two people. Choice C is correct. "Most" is shown by -est (Choice A), -er does not mean something already happened (Choice B), and it does not mean "before" (Choice D).
Question 11
Read the sentences: Mia had to reread the page because she missed a clue. What does the prefix re- mean in the word reread?
- not
- again (correct answer)
- before
- without
Explanation: This question tests knowledge of common prefixes and suffixes (CCSS.RF.3.3.a: Identify and know the meaning of the most common prefixes and derivational suffixes). Students must recognize prefixes like un-, re-, pre-, dis-, mis- and suffixes like -ed, -ing, -er, -est, -ly, -ful, -less, -ness, and understand how they change base word meanings. A prefix is a word part added to the beginning of a base word that changes its meaning (re + read = reread means 'read again'). In this question, the word 'reread' has the prefix 're-'. The base word is 'read', which means to look at and understand written words. Adding 're-' makes it mean 'read again'. Choice B is correct because 're-' means 'again', so read + re- = reread means 'read again'. For example, if you reread a page, you read it one more time to understand it better. Choice A is incorrect because 'not' is the meaning of the prefix 'un-', not 're-'. This error occurs when students confuse different prefix meanings or don't recognize the specific prefix in the word. To help students: Create affix anchor charts showing common prefixes (un-, re-, pre-, dis-, mis-) with meanings and examples. Practice with word building: Start with base words (do, read, write), add 're-' (redo, reread, rewrite), discuss how all mean 'do again'. Use actions to demonstrate: read a sentence, then reread it, emphasizing the 'again' aspect. Watch for students who confuse prefix meanings (un- and re-). Provide explicit instruction with multiple examples before expecting independent application.
Question 12
Read the sentences: "Ben felt unhappy when he lost the game. After he found his ball, he felt happy again." What does the prefix un- mean in the word unhappy?
- again
- not (correct answer)
- before
- wrong
Explanation: This question tests knowledge of common prefixes and suffixes (CCSS.RF.3.3.a: Identify and know the meaning of the most common prefixes and derivational suffixes). Students must recognize prefixes like un-, re-, pre-, dis-, mis- and suffixes like -ed, -ing, -er, -est, -ly, -ful, -less, -ness, and understand how they change base word meanings. A prefix is a word part added to the beginning of a base word that changes its meaning (un + happy = unhappy means 'not happy'). In this question, the word 'unhappy' has the prefix 'un-'. The base word is 'happy', which means feeling good or pleased. Adding 'un-' makes it mean 'not happy'. Choice B is correct because 'un-' means 'not', so unhappy means 'not happy'. The context clue 'he felt happy again' after losing the unhappy feeling confirms this meaning. Choice A is incorrect because 'again' is the meaning of the prefix 're-', not 'un-'. This error occurs when students confuse different prefix meanings. To help students: Create affix anchor charts showing common prefixes (un-, re-, pre-, dis-, mis-) and suffixes with meanings and examples. Practice with word building: Start with base word (happy), add affixes (unhappy, happiness, happily), discuss meaning changes. Use graphic organizers showing base word in center with affixed words around it. Teach opposite pairs like happy/unhappy. Practice identifying affixes by underlining/circling them in words. Connect affix meaning to whole word meaning explicitly.
Question 13
The kindest student shared his snack with a friend.
What does the suffix -est mean in the word kindest?
- most (correct answer)
- more
- not
- again
Explanation: The suffix -est means "most," so kindest means the most kind of all. Choice A is correct. "More" is shown by the suffix -er, not -est (Choice B), and -est does not mean "not" (Choice C) or "again" (Choice D).
Question 14
Mia had to reread the page because she missed a part.
What does the prefix re- mean in the word reread?
- before
- not
- again (correct answer)
- without
Explanation: The prefix re- means "again," so reread means to read something again. Choice C is correct. re- does not mean "before," which is shown by pre- (Choice A), "not," which is shown by un- (Choice B), or "without" (Choice D).
Question 15
Yesterday, we helped our neighbor carry groceries.
What does the suffix -ed mean in the word helped?
- happening now
- most
- person who
- happened already (correct answer)
Explanation: The suffix -ed shows that something already happened, so helped means the help happened in the past. Choice D is correct. -ed does not mean happening now (Choice A), "most," which is shown by -est (Choice B), or "person who," which is shown by -er (Choice C).
Question 16
My sister and I disagree about going outside.
What does the prefix dis- mean in the word disagree?
- again
- not (correct answer)
- before
- full of
Explanation: The prefix dis- means "not," so disagree means to not agree. Choice B is correct. dis- does not mean "again," which is shown by re- (Choice A), "before," which is shown by pre- (Choice C), or "full of," which is shown by -ful (Choice D).
Question 17
Her happiness showed when she smiled all day.
What does the suffix -ness mean in the word happiness?
- without
- full of
- the state of being (correct answer)
- person who
Explanation: The suffix -ness means "the state of being," so happiness means the state of being happy. Choice C is correct. -ness does not mean "without" (Choice A), "full of," which is shown by -ful (Choice B), or "person who," which is shown by -er (Choice D).
Question 18
I made a mistake because I misread the directions.
What does the prefix mis- mean in the word misread?
- wrong (correct answer)
- not
- again
- before
Explanation: The prefix mis- means "wrong," so misread means to read something the wrong way. Choice A is correct. "Not" is shown by un- (Choice B), "again" is shown by re- (Choice C), and "before" is shown by pre- (Choice D).
Question 19
I was unhappy when I lost my book.
What does the prefix un- mean in the word unhappy?
- again
- before
- not (correct answer)
- wrong
Explanation: The prefix un- means "not," so unhappy means not happy. Choice C is correct. "Again" is shown by the prefix re- (Choice A), "before" is shown by pre- (Choice B), and "wrong" is shown by mis- (Choice D).
Question 20
Read the sentences: "Yesterday we helped our neighbor carry boxes. Today we are helping again." What does the suffix -ed mean in the word helped?
- happening now
- the state of being
- happened in the past (correct answer)
- without
Explanation: This question tests knowledge of common prefixes and suffixes (CCSS.RF.3.3.a: Identify and know the meaning of the most common prefixes and derivational suffixes). Students must recognize prefixes like un-, re-, pre-, dis-, mis- and suffixes like -ed, -ing, -er, -est, -ly, -ful, -less, -ness, and understand how they change base word meanings. A suffix is a word part added to the end of a base word that changes its meaning or grammatical function (help + ed = helped means 'did help in the past'). In this question, the word 'helped' has the suffix '-ed'. The base word is 'help', which means to assist or aid someone. Adding '-ed' makes it mean 'did help in the past'. Choice C is correct because '-ed' means 'happened in the past', so helped means 'did help in the past'. The context clue 'Yesterday' confirms this past tense meaning. Choice A is incorrect because 'happening now' is the meaning of the suffix '-ing', not '-ed'. This error occurs when students confuse the two most common verb suffixes. To help students: Create affix anchor charts showing common suffixes with meanings and examples. Practice with time words: yesterday = -ed, today/now = -ing, tomorrow = will. Use timeline activities showing past (-ed), present (-ing), and future actions. Have students act out verbs and identify when to use -ed versus -ing. Connect to their daily experiences: 'I walked to school' (past) versus 'I am walking' (present). Use hand gestures: point behind for -ed, point down for -ing.