This exercise will give you practice in recognizing and using common prefixes, suffixes, and roots. Before attempting the exercise, you may find it helpful to review the following lists:

• A List of 30 Common Word Roots in English
• A List of 35 Common Prefixes in English
• A List of 26 Common Suffixes in English

Instructions:
For each sentence below, study the one word that's in bold print. See if you can identify the root word (or base) along with any prefixes and/or suffixes that are attached to it.

After you have filled in all the blanks, compare your answers with those on page two.

1. We watched a preview of the new Pixar movie.
   Root: ____________
   Prefix: ____________
2. The dancing cat was seen by more than two-million YouTube viewers.
   Root: ____________
   Suffix: ____________
3. The teacher handed out paper hearts to the students who had done extra work.
   Root: ____________
   Suffix: ____________
4. The magician made the rabbit disappear.
   Root: ____________
   Prefix: ____________
5. At the end of his performance, the magician made a graceful bow to the audience.
   Root: ____________
   Suffix: ____________
6. Shyla asked the magician for his autograph.
   Root: ____________
   Prefix: ____________
7. Because of the lightness of the breeze, the sailboat moved quite slowly.
   Root: ____________
   Suffix: ____________
8. Despite the heaviness of his backpack, Jack raced up the hill.
   Root: ____________
   Suffix: ____________
9. Some dogs are shy or unfriendly, and they might bark or snap if you try to pet them.
   Root: ____________
   Prefix: ____________
   Suffix: ____________

1. Esther quickly reopened the door and called for her cat.
   Root: ____________
   Prefix: ____________
   Suffix: ____________
2. We stood on a bluff overlooking the ocean.
   Root: ____________
   Prefix: ____________
   Suffix: ____________
3. In today's world, no part of the globe is unreachable.
   Root: ____________
   Prefix: ____________
   Suffix: ____________
4. My father never let anyone see him dressed informally.
   Root: ____________
   Prefix: ____________
   Suffix: ____________
5. Everyone thought that Mr. Darcy was the proudest, most disagreeable man in the world.
   Root: ____________
   Prefix: ____________
   Suffix: ____________
6. Preschoolers should have plenty of opportunities to run, play, and listen to stories.
   Root: ____________
   Prefix: ____________
   Suffix: ____________
7. The speaker pointed out the unfairness of blaming high schools for the poor preparation of college freshmen in reading, writing, and math.
   Root: ____________
   Prefix: ____________
   Suffix: ____________

Practice in Vocabulary Building

• Vocabulary Builder #1: Antonyms
• Vocabulary Builder #2: Mark Twain's Words
• Vocabulary Builder #3: H.L. Mencken's Words
• Vocabulary Builder #4: Ben Franklin's Words
• Vocabulary Builder #5: Robert Benchley's Words
• Vocabulary Builder #6: William Hazlitt's Words
• Vocabulary Builder #7: Charles Lamb's Words
• Vocabulary Quiz on "Once More to the Lake" by E.B. White
• The William F. Buckley Vocabulary Quiz
• The G.K. Chesterton Vocabulary Quiz
• The Christopher Morley Vocabulary Quiz: Practice in Using Context Clues
• The P.G. Wodehouse Vocabulary Quiz: Practice in Using Context Clues