Grade 8 Word Study worksheet
from Gradelings · Name: ______________________
How to explain it
- Prefixes go at the start (re-, dis-, mis-). Suffixes go at the end (-ful, -able).
- Greek and Latin roots carry meaning: graph (write), auto (self), bio (life).
- Words with similar meanings can have different connotations: slim sounds kinder than skinny.
Example: The root “graph” means write and “auto” means self. What does “autograph” mean? Put the parts together: self + write. Something you write yourself is your signature. Answer: A person’s own signature
Question 1
The root “port” means “carry.” Which word fits: “Please __ the box to the car.”?
- portrait
- import tax
- report card
- transport
transport
Hint: Trans- means across, port means carry. To transport is to carry across.
Question 2
The Greek root “graph” means “write.” What does “autograph” most likely mean?
- A picture of a car
- A long story
- A person's own signature
- A machine for writing
A person's own signature
Hint: Auto means self and graph means write: writing by yourself.
Question 3
Which word has a more negative connotation than “curious”?
- nosy
- interested
- eager
- inquisitive
nosy
Hint: “Nosy” suggests someone who pries where they shouldn't. “Curious” is neutral or positive.
Question 4
What does “synonym” mean?
- A word with the opposite meaning
- A word with a similar meaning
- A word that sounds the same
- A word that rhymes
A word with a similar meaning
Hint: Syn- means same. Synonyms mean nearly the same thing.
Question 5
The Latin root “aqua” means “water.” What does “aquarium” most likely mean?
- A tall building
- A type of desert
- A kind of flower
- A place to keep water animals
A place to keep water animals
Hint: Aqua means water, so an aquarium is connected to water.
Question 6
The suffix “-less” in “fearless” means…
- without
- more
- able to
- full of
without
Hint: -less means without: without fear.
Question 7
Prefix or suffix? Sort each word part.
Sort into: ⏮️ Prefix · ⏭️ Suffix
- 🧺-ful (full of)
- ⏪pre- (before)
- ✅-able (can be)
- 🔁re- (again)
- 📦-ment (result of)
- 0️⃣-less (without)
- ↔️dis- (opposite of)
- ❌mis- (wrongly)
⏮️ Prefix: pre- (before), re- (again), dis- (opposite of), mis- (wrongly) · ⏭️ Suffix: -ful (full of), -able (can be), -ment (result of), -less (without)
Hint: A prefix goes at the start of a word (re-, un-, pre-). A suffix goes at the end (-less, -ful, -ness).
Question 8
Which word has the most positive connotation?
- scrawny
- skinny
- bony
- slim
slim
Hint: All four describe a thin body, but “slim” feels positive while the others feel negative.
Question 9
The prefix “re-” in “rebuild” means…
- not
- again
- under
- before
again
Hint: Re- means again: to build again.
Question 10
The suffix “-ful” in “thankful” means…
- full of
- again
- without
- before
full of
Hint: -ful means full of: full of thanks.
Answer key
- 1. transport
- 2. A person's own signature
- 3. nosy
- 4. A word with a similar meaning
- 5. A place to keep water animals
- 6. without
- 7. ⏮️ Prefix: pre- (before), re- (again), dis- (opposite of), mis- (wrongly) · ⏭️ Suffix: -ful (full of), -able (can be), -ment (result of), -less (without)
- 8. slim
- 9. again
- 10. full of
Want more than 10 questions?
In Gradelings the questions change every time and adjust to your child, with hints and kind feedback.