Mastering Affixes: An Engaging Identification Worksheet

Affixes identification—prefixes and suffixes—is crucial for enhancing vocabulary and comprehension skills. This worksheet is designed to help learners identify words with affixes within sentences, thereby deepening their grasp of word structures.

Instructions:

1. Read each sentence carefully.
2. Identify and underline the word(s) containing a prefix or suffix.
3. Specify whether the identified affix is a prefix or a suffix.
4. Determine the root word and write it down.
5. Explain how the affix modifies the meaning of the root word.

Example:

• Sentence: The unhappiness of the child was evident.
  • Word with affix: unhappiness
  • Prefix/Suffix: Prefix (un-), Suffix (-ness)
  • Root word: happy
  • Explanation: The prefix “un-” negates the root word “happy,” indicating a lack of happiness, while the suffix “-ness” turns the adjective “unhappy” into the noun “unhappiness,” denoting the state of being unhappy.

Sentences:

1. She looked at the beautiful painting.
2. They decided to rebuild the old house.
3. His careless mistake caused the delay.
4. The teacher reminded the students about the test.
5. She walked gracefully across the stage.
6. The unpleasant smell made everyone leave the room.
7. The players were fearless during the match.
8. He misunderstood the instructions.

Answer Key:

1. • Word with affix: beautiful
   • Prefix/Suffix: Suffix (-ful)
   • Root word: beauty
   • Explanation: The suffix “-ful” means “full of”; thus, “beautiful” means full of beauty.
2. • Word with affix: rebuild
   • Prefix/Suffix: Prefix (re-)
   • Root word: build
   • Explanation: The prefix “re-” means “again”; “rebuild” means to build again.
3. • Word with affix: careless
   • Prefix/Suffix: Suffix (-less)
   • Root word: care
   • Explanation: The suffix “-less” means “without”; “careless” means without care.
4. • Word with affix: reminded
   • Prefix/Suffix: Prefix (re-), Suffix (-ed)
   • Root word: mind
   • Explanation: The prefix “re-” means “again,” and the suffix “-ed” indicates past tense; “reminded” means to bring to mind again in the past.
5. • Word with affix: gracefully
   • Prefix/Suffix: Suffix (-fully)
   • Root word: grace
   • Explanation: The suffix “-fully” means “in a manner of”; “gracefully” means in a manner of grace.
6. • Word with affix: unpleasant
   • Prefix/Suffix: Prefix (un-)
   • Root word: pleasant
   • Explanation: The prefix “un-” means “not”; “unpleasant” means not pleasant.
7. • Word with affix: fearless
   • Prefix/Suffix: Suffix (-less)
   • Root word: fear
   • Explanation: The suffix “-less” means “without”; “fearless” means without fear.
8. • Word with affix: misunderstood
   • Prefix/Suffix: Prefix (mis-), Suffix (-ed)
   • Root word: understand
   • Explanation: The prefix “mis-” means “wrongly,” and the suffix “-ed” indicates past tense; “misunderstood” means wrongly understood in the past.

By completing this worksheet, learners will enhance their ability to recognize and interpret affixes, leading to improved vocabulary and reading comprehension skills.

Find more AFFIXES worksheets at our website.