Year 5 English: Applying Morphology and Etymology for Better Reading

Understanding Root Words, Prefixes, and Suffixes: A Guide for Year 5 📚

When we read new words, it can be tricky to understand what they mean or how to say them properly. One way to help with this is by knowing about root words, prefixes, and suffixes. These are parts of words that work together to give us clues about the word’s meaning and pronunciation. This is very important in Year 5 English because it helps us read aloud confidently and understand new words better.

What Is a Root Word? 🏗️

A root word is the main part of a word. It is the base word that can stand alone and has its own meaning. For example:

• The root word in “happy” is happy.
• The root word in “helpful” is help.
• The root word in “playful” is play.

When we find the root word, it helps us understand the basic meaning of the word.

What Are Prefixes? 🅿️

A prefix is a group of letters added to the beginning of a root word to change its meaning. Prefixes do not change the root word itself but add extra meaning. For example:

• Un- means not.
  – unhappy = not happy
• Re- means again.
  – replay = play again
• Dis- means not or opposite of.
  – disconnect = not connected

Knowing prefixes helps you guess the meaning of new words when you see a prefix at the front.

What Are Suffixes? 🏁

A suffix is a group of letters added to the end of a root word. Suffixes can change the meaning of the word or the way it is used in a sentence (like making it an adjective or a noun). For example:

• -ful means full of.
  – joyful = full of joy
• -less means without.
  – fearless = without fear
• -er can mean someone who does something.
  – teacher = someone who teaches

Suffixes can also change the tense of verbs, such as:
– walk → walked (past tense)

How This Helps Us Read and Understand Words 🔍

When you come across a new word while reading, breaking it down into its root word, prefix, and suffix can help you:

• Say the word more easily by recognising familiar parts.
• Understand what the word means based on the meaning of its parts.
• Build your vocabulary because you can work out new words without having to look them all up.

For example, if you see the word “unfriendly”, you can split it into:
– prefix un- (not)
– root word friend (someone you like)
– suffix -ly (in a way that)

Putting it all together, unfriendly means “in a way that is not friendly.”

Summary ✨

• A root word is the main word, the base meaning.
• A prefix comes at the beginning and changes the meaning.
• A suffix comes at the end and can change the meaning or word type.
• Knowing these helps you read aloud correctly and understand new words easier.

Try practising with your reading books: spot the root words, prefixes, and suffixes to become a word detective! 🕵️‍♂️ This skill helps you grow your vocabulary and enjoy reading even more.

20 Examination-style Questions and Answers on Root Words, Prefixes, and Suffixes for Year 5 📝

Question 1: Multiple Choice

What is the root word of “unhappiness”?

a) happy

b) unhappy

c) happiness

d) ness

Answer: a) happy

Question 2: Fill in the Blank

The prefix _ _ _ means ‘not’. Add it to the word “agree” to make a word that means ‘not agree’.

Answer: dis (The word is “disagree”.)

Question 3: Multiple Choice

Which suffix means ‘full of’?

a) -less
b) -ful
c) -ly
d) -er

Answer: b) -ful

Question 4: Matching

Match the root word to its prefix:

Answer:
– re- + take = retake
– pre- + move = premove
– dis- + play = display

Question 5: Short Answer

What does the prefix “sub-” mean in the word “submarine”?

Answer: Under or below

Question 6: Fill in the Blank

Add the suffix _ _ _ to the word “care” to show a person who looks after others.

Answer: -er (The word is “carer”.)

Question 7: Multiple Choice

Which of these words contains a suffix meaning ‘able to be’?

a) readable
b) reading
c) reader
d) read

Answer: a) readable

Question 8: Short Answer

Write the root word in the word “joyful”.

Answer: joy

Question 9: Matching

Match the prefix to the meaning:

Question 10: Fill in the Blank

The word “careless” means the opposite of “careful”. What suffix means ‘without’ in “careless”?

Answer: -less

Question 11: Multiple Choice

Which prefix means ‘before’?

a) pre-
b) post-
c) dis-
d) anti-

Answer: a) pre-

Question 12: Short Answer

What new word do you get if you add the prefix “mis-” to “spell”?

Answer: misspell

Question 13: Fill in the Blank

Add the suffix _ _ _ to the word “quick” to make an adverb.

Answer: -ly (The word is “quickly”.)

Question 14: Multiple Choice

Which of these words does NOT have a prefix?

a) unhappy
b) rewrite
c) finished
d) disconnect

Answer: c) finished

Question 15: Short Answer

Explain what the root word “photo” means in the word “photograph”.

Answer: Light

Question 16: Matching

Match the words and their suffixes:

Question 17: Fill in the Blank

The prefix _ _ _ in “antibiotic” means ‘against’.

Answer: anti-

Question 18: Multiple Choice

Which suffix changes a verb into a noun that means ‘a person who does’?

a) -ing
b) -er
c) -ed
d) -ful

Answer: b) -er

Question 19: Short Answer

Give a word with the root “port” and explain its meaning.

Answer: transport – to carry something from one place to another.

Question 20: Fill in the Blank

The root word in “television” is _ _ _ , which means ‘far’ or ‘distance’.

Answer: tele

These questions help Year 5 students understand root words, prefixes, and suffixes following the UK National Curriculum. They practise identifying and using word parts to read and understand new words confidently.