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Grade 2 · lesson 1 of 4

Read a prefix meaning

Read the base and prefix separately. Combine their meanings and verify the complete word against the supplied definition.

About 15 minutes, plus any extended practice

Download the grade pack

Supplied materials

  • Paper and pencil, or a browser text area. All named people/events/records are fictional learning inputs.
  • Worked case: Prefix word: reread. Suffix word: teacher. Contraction: don’t. Sentence: After lunch, we read.
  • Primary check: Prefix word: unkind. Suffix word: hopeful. Contraction: I’m. Sentence: We read a book.
  • An adult may read every direction and answer choice aloud; learners may respond by speaking, pointing or drawing.

Learn the idea

A prefix comes before a base. In these words, re- means again, un- means not, pre- means before and mis- signals something done wrongly.

Read the base and prefix separately. Combine their meanings and verify the complete word against the supplied definition.

Example to read or listen to: Prefix word: reread. Suffix word: teacher. Contraction: don’t. Sentence: After lunch, we read. The answer is again. The relevant input states: Prefix word: reread. This fits again. A prefix comes before a base. In these words, re- means again, un- means not, pre- means before and mis- signals something done wrongly. A word that begins with similar letters may not contain that prefix.

  1. Read or listen to the worked example. Say what the reading or writing task asks you to find. An adult can help with unfamiliar words.
  2. Read the base and prefix separately. Combine their meanings and verify the complete word against the supplied definition.
  3. Check the worked solution: again. The relevant input states: Prefix word: reread. This fits again. A prefix comes before a base. In these words, re- means again, un- means not, pre- means before and mis- signals something done wrongly. A word that begins with similar letters may not contain that prefix.
  4. Try the question and the practice questions. Point to the words that helped you choose before checking the feedback.
Worked example

See the method in action

Prefix word: reread. Suffix word: teacher. Contraction: don’t. Sentence: After lunch, we read. Solved: again. The relevant input states: Prefix word: reread. This fits again. A prefix comes before a base. In these words, re- means again, un- means not, pre- means before and mis- signals something done wrongly. A word that begins with similar letters may not contain that prefix. Read the base and prefix separately. Combine their meanings and verify the complete word against the supplied definition.

Your turn

Check your reasoning

Your answer is temporary and is not saved to an account. Download your current answer before leaving or reloading. Written work on paper or in another app stays in your own file.

Helpful tips
  • Unkind means not kind.
  • A word that begins with similar letters may not contain that prefix.
Prefix word: unkind. Suffix word: hopeful. Contraction: I’m. Sentence: We read a book. What does the supplied prefix add to its base word?

Feedback appears here after you check. This is practice, not a graded school assessment.

See the answer and explanation

not

The relevant input states: Prefix word: unkind. This fits not. A prefix comes before a base. In these words, re- means again, un- means not, pre- means before and mis- signals something done wrongly. A word that begins with similar letters may not contain that prefix.

Take it further

Optional extra practice: Decode and expand: Before lunch, we’re rereading a helpful note. Explain before, we are, read again and full of help. Read the sentence in two meaningful phrases without skipping any words. Practice this lesson’s skill as you complete the task. Use this idea to check your work: A prefix comes before a base. In these words, re- means again, un- means not, pre- means before and mis- signals something done wrongly.

Nothing here is saved to an account or sent to a teacher. The answer download includes your current choice and any checked feedback. It does not include choices from the separate More practice section. Download that section separately.

More practice: try new cases

Choose an answer for each problem. Explain your method on paper, then use the feedback to decide what to revisit.

More practice: try new cases
1. Prefix word: preheat. Suffix word: fearless. Contraction: we’re. Sentence: Before dinner, we tidy. What does the supplied prefix add to its base word?
Need a hint?
  • Unkind means not kind.
  • A word that begins with similar letters may not contain that prefix.
2. Prefix word: misread. Suffix word: slowly. Contraction: can’t. Sentence: At sunset, we rest. What does the supplied prefix add to its base word?
Need a hint?
  • Unkind means not kind.
  • A word that begins with similar letters may not contain that prefix.
3. Prefix word: replay. Suffix word: helpful. Contraction: we’re. Sentence: We replay the game. What does the supplied prefix add to its base word?
Need a hint?
  • Unkind means not kind.
  • A word that begins with similar letters may not contain that prefix.

Your choices are temporary. Feedback appears after you check all the answers.

Nothing here is saved to an account or sent to a teacher. Keep your own notes or download them before leaving. The score describes these questions; it does not certify subject mastery.

Check the subject sources

These LifeStarter passages, scenarios and exercises are authored for this Academy with AI assistance and review. External resources keep their publishers’ terms. A grade label suggests a starting level; it does not establish alignment with your school’s complete requirements.