Prefix Power
This prefix means not.
What is un-?
This suffix means a person who does something
What is -er?
This tells what a paragraph or passage is mostly about.
What is main idea?
When you use words around an unfamiliar word to help figure out its meaning, you are using this reading strategy.
What are context clues?
What has keys but can’t open locks?
What is a piano?
This prefix means again.
What is re-?
This suffix turns a word into an action or process
What is -ment?
If a paragraph talks about penguins swimming, eating fish, and living in cold places, this is likely the main idea.
What is penguins and how they live?
“The puppy was energetic. It ran around the yard, jumped on the couch, and chased its tail.”
Based on the clues, energetic most likely means this.
What is full of energy or very active?
The more you take away from me, the bigger I get. What am I?
What is a hole?
This prefix means before.
What is pre-?
This suffix means full of
What is -ful?
The main idea is usually supported by these pieces of information.
What are supporting details?
“Lena felt exhausted after running three laps around the field. She sat down immediately and tried to catch her breath.”
The word exhausted most likely means this.
What is very tired?
I have cities but no houses, forests but no trees, and rivers but no water. What am I?
What is a map?
The prefix mis- means this.
What is wrong or badly?
This suffix means without
What is -less?
You often find the main idea in this common place in a paragraph.
Where is the first or last sentence?
“The water in the lake was frigid. Everyone who jumped in started shivering right away.”
The word frigid most likely means this.
What is very cold?
Forward I am heavy, but backward I am not. What am I?
What is ton? (Backward = not)
The prefix dis- usually means this.
What is not or opposite of?
This suffix turns a word into an adverb (quickly, slowly).
What is -ly?
When the main idea is not directly stated, you have to do this.
What is infer or figure it out?
"Marcus was reluctant to get on the roller coaster. Even though his friends were excited, he slowly walked toward the ride and hesitated before sitting down.”
The word reluctant most likely means this.
What is not wanting to do something or unsure/hesitant?
What begins with T, ends with T, and has T in it?
What is a teapot?