🔍 Detailed Explanation of Words with mis-

The prefix mis- means wrong or incorrect. When we add mis- to the start of a word, it changes the meaning to show that something has been done badly, wrongly, or not as it should be. This is an important part of learning new words in Year 6 English because it helps us understand meanings better and improve our reading and writing skills.

Here are some common words with the prefix mis- and what they mean:

  • Misunderstand: to understand something wrong.
    Example: I misunderstood the question and gave the wrong answer.
  • Misplace: to put something in the wrong place.
    Example: I misplaced my keys, so I couldn’t find them this morning.
  • Misbehave: to behave badly or do the wrong thing.
    Example: If you misbehave in class, you might get a warning.
  • Mislead: to give the wrong idea or information to someone.
    Example: The advertisement misled us because it wasn’t true.

Adding the prefix mis- changes the root word by showing that the action is done in the wrong way or is incorrect. For example, understand means to know or get the meaning, but misunderstand means to get the meaning wrong.

Using mis- words correctly in sentences can make your writing clearer and show you can use prefixes well. For example, instead of saying, “I got the answer wrong,” you can say, “I misunderstood the answer.”

In the National Curriculum and common Key Stage 2 schemes of work, recognising prefixes like mis- helps with spelling, vocabulary, and comprehension. It supports your ability to read more difficult texts and write more accurately and confidently. When you spot a word starting with mis-, remember it usually means something has gone wrong or is incorrect. This will help you understand what you are reading better and use these words correctly in your own writing.

đź“š 20 Examination-Style Questions with Answers on Words with mis-

1. Spelling:

Write the correct spelling of the word that means to understand something wrong and starts with “mis-”.
Answer: misunderstand

2. Meaning:

What does the prefix “mis-” mean in the word “mislead”?
a) correctly
b) badly or wrongly
c) quickly
Answer: b) badly or wrongly

3. Choose the correct word:

Fill in the blank with the correct “mis-” word:
She tried not to __________ the instructions and ended up mixing the ingredients wrong.
a) misread
b) mistake
c) misplace
Answer: a) misread

4. Sentence completion:

Complete the sentence with a suitable “mis-” word:
If you __________ your keys, you won’t be able to get inside the house.
Answer: misplace

5. Word formation:

Add the prefix “mis-” to the word “behave” to form a new word. Write the new word.
Answer: misbehave

6. Meaning:

What is the meaning of “misjudge”?
a) to judge correctly
b) to judge wrongly
c) to not judge at all
Answer: b) to judge wrongly

7. Choose the correct word:

The teacher told us not to __________ the test questions.
a) misunderstand
b) misplace
c) mislead
Answer: a) misunderstand

8. Spelling:

Spell the word that means to take someone the wrong way or give wrong information, starting with “mis-”.
Answer: mislead

9. Sentence completion:

If you __________ the facts, you might get the wrong answer.
Answer: misinterpret

10. Meaning:

Which word means “to lose something”?
a) misinform
b) misplace
c) misconduct
Answer: b) misplace

11. Word formation:

Make a verb starting with “mis-” that means to read something wrongly.
Answer: misread

12. Choose the correct word:

He was punished because he decided to __________ the rules.
a) misbehave
b) misjudge
c) misplace
Answer: a) misbehave

13. Sentence completion:

Complete the sentence:
It is easy to __________ someone if you don’t listen carefully.
Answer: misunderstand

14. Spelling:

Spell the word that means to give wrong information starting with “mis-”.
Answer: misinform

15. Meaning:

What does “misinterpret” mean?
a) to explain or understand something wrongly
b) to explain something well
c) to ignore something
Answer: a) to explain or understand something wrongly

16. Choose the correct word:

If you __________ a problem, you think it is smaller than it really is.
a) misplace
b) misjudge
c) misread
Answer: b) misjudge

17. Sentence completion:

Fill in the blank:
She didn’t want to __________ the message, so she asked questions.
Answer: misinterpret

18. Word formation:

Use the prefix “mis-” to make a word meaning behaving badly.
Answer: misbehave

19. Meaning:

Which “mis-” word means “to fail to hear or understand correctly”?
Answer: misunderstand

20. Choose the correct word:

Choose the “mis-” word that fits the sentence:
To __________ the labels could cause serious mistakes in the lab.
a) mistrust
b) misread
c) misplace
Answer: b) misread

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These questions cover spelling, meanings, and how to choose the correct ‘mis-‘ word in context. They help with understanding the prefix mis- as meaning ‘wrong‘ or ‘badly‘, which is useful for Year 6 students preparing for their English assessments.