Vocabulary In Context Vocabulary Practice

Directions: For each item, three words can be placed in the blank. However, each group of words has one misfit – a word that does not fit in the blank. USE YOUR CONTEXT CLUES.

1. (A) cunning, (B) clever, (C) resourceful, (D) wicked

The fox was very hungry, so he needed to use every possible trick in the book in order to catch his prey.

Context Clues

• (A) discourage, (B) prevent (C) infuriate, (D) dissuade

Sometimes the new puppy behaves badly. He likes to chew everyone’s shoes and gnaw on the furniture. We are trying to find ways to ______ this bad behavior.

Context Clues

• (A) cooperate, (B) sustain, (C) support, (D) uphold

The community had earned a fabulous reputation for its aggressive plan to reduce crime. All the citizens realized how important it was to ________ the plan, the curfew, etc. All of these things would help the community maintain peace.

Context Clues

• (A) rash, (B) hasty, (C) impulsive, (D) distressed

Sometimes, when we are feeling emotional (angry, happy, in love, sad, etc.), we tend to act without thinking. These are not the times to act without thinking. In other words, we should not make ______ decisions.

Word origins - Affixes

• Sometimes one word is actually made up of three parts:

Prefix + Root word + Suffix

Each part adds to the overall meaning of the word.

The Latin word primus

• Prime comes from the Latin word primus• Prime means first• What does it mean in math? How does the mathematical meaning of prime connect with the Latin meaning of the word?

Let’s look at some other words that come from the Latin word primus? To determine the meaning of these words, use context clues and your understanding of the root’s meaning.

The Latin root primus

primary primates primitive

• 1. Before they learned to use fire, early people had a fairly _________ way of life.• 2. The first three or four grades of school are called the

_________ grades.• 3. The highest category of mammals, which includes

humans and apes, is called.

The Latin root primus

primarily primordial prime

• 4. The citizens of the town were _______________ from German backgrounds.

• 5. Some say that our solar sysem developed from a ____________ gas cloud.

Prefixes that mean “NOT”

Prefix Meanings

dis- Not; opposite of

in- Not; in

un- not

mis- Not; incorrect or badly

non- Not; opposite of

Prefixes meaning “not”

One word in each sentence contains a prefix that can mean “not.” Find the word and let’s discuss its meaning.

1. Martin Luther King, Jr., preached nonviolence.2. Our school district has many unpaid teachers’ aids.3. It is probably inaccurate to say that the universe contains only one

solar system.4. The missile slipped behind the cloud and disappeared from sight.5. It is common sense that animals should not be mistreated.

The Latin root cred

• The Latin word cred means “to believe”• This root is combined with various prefixes and suffixes to form a

number of English words.• For example, let’s talk about the word incredulously• It is an adverb that means “in a way that is believable.”

The Latin root cred

Cred(believe)

credible

discreditcredentials

credence

If the witness is not ______, the jury will not believe her.

credentialscredible

credencediscredit

The opposition tried to _______ the candidate by making false statements about him.

credentialscredible

credencediscredit

When you come to the job interview, bring all your _____ with you.

credentialscredible

credencediscredit

She gossips so much that it is hard to put any ________ in what she says.

credentialscredible

credencediscredit

The prefixes im, il, and ir

Prefixes and the Latin root vert

Prefixes used with vert, vers(e)

Meaning

ab-a-

away from

extra-extro-

outside

re - again; back

trans-tra-

across

If you back up a car, you put it in

_________.Prefixes used with vert, vers(e)

Meaning

ab-a-

away from

extra-extro-

outside

re - again; back

trans-tra-

across

A person who is very outgoing is known as a(n)

____________.Prefixes used with vert, vers(e)

Meaning

ab-a-

away from

extra-extro-

outside

re - again; back

trans-tra-

across

If you don’t want to watch a scary movie, you can

________ your eyes.Prefixes used with vert, vers(e)

Meaning

ab-a-

away from

extra-extro-

outside

re - again; back

trans-tra-

across

To cross a desert, you must ________a lot of sand.

Prefixes used with vert, vers(e)

Meaning

ab-a-

away from

extra-extro-

outside

re - again; back

trans-tra-

across

The Greek root aut

Aut, auto

automated

autograph

autopilot

autism

automation

autonomous

A genuine ______ by Abraham Lincoln is worth a lot of money.

Aut, auto

automated

autograph

autopilot

autism

automation

autonomous

How often are planes flown on _______?

Aut, auto

automated

autograph

autopilot

autism

automation

autonomous

Because of _____, many jobs can be done more quickly and with

less effort.

Aut, auto

automated

autograph

autopilot

autism

automation

autonomous

Countries that are __________ are governed by their own people.

Aut, auto

automated

autograph

autopilot

autism

automation

autonomous

_________ limits its sufferers’ ability to communicate with

others.

Aut, auto

automated

autograph

autopilot

autism

automation

autonomous

SUFFIXES CAN MAGICALLY TURN WORDS INTO ADJECTIVES

The science experiment produced a gaseous cloud.

Suffixes Meanings

-ate, -ous, -eous, -ial, -ical Like; having to do with; showing

Their pet dog is gentle and affectionate.

Suffixes Meanings

-ate, -ous, -eous, -ial, -ical Like; having to do with; showing

Pollution has a ruinous effect on our environment.

Suffixes Meanings

-ate, -ous, -eous, -ial, -ical Like; having to do with; showing

Many famous people write autobiographical books or

articles.

Suffixes Meanings

-ate, -ous, -eous, -ial, -ical Like; having to do with; showing

His facial features included a long, thin nose.

Suffixes Meanings

-ate, -ous, -eous, -ial, -ical Like; having to do with; showing