Category 1
Prompt: Deconstruct the word "submerge." Identify each morpheme, define its meaning, and explain how the morphemes combine to form the full meaning. Then provide a short example (2–3 sentences) describing a scenario where something is submerged and explain why the prefix "sub-" is essential to the word's meaning.
Answer: sub- (under) + merge (to sink/dip) → submerge = to put or go under water/underneath. Example: "The diver submerged the camera to take pictures of fish. The prefix sub- tells us the camera went under the surface."
Prompt: Deconstruct "divergent." Identify morphemes, define each, and explain how the prefix "div-" influences the word. Then give a classroom example (2–3 sentences) where two ideas or paths diverge and explain why "diverge" is the best word.
Answer: divergent = di-/div- (from Latin "divertere" meaning "to turn aside" or separate) + -gent (coming/going) → moving apart or differing. Example: "Two groups chose different project topics and their ideas diverged. Diverge fits because their choices moved in different directions."
Prompt: Deconstruct "invisible." Identify prefix, root, and suffix. Explain how "vis" contributes, and give a 2–3 sentence scenario where something is invisible.
Answer: invisible = in- (not) + vis (see) + -ible (able) → not able to be seen. Scenario: "The firefly's faint glow made part of the meadow visible while many small insects remained invisible to the eye."
Prompt: Deconstruct "transform" into morphemes. Explain how the prefix changes root "form" and give an example (2–3 sentences).
Answer: transform = trans- (across/change) + form (shape) → to change shape or change in nature. Example: "Caterpillars transform into butterflies; the change is a transformation of form."
Prompt: Deconstruct "autonomous" and give a classroom example.
Answer: autonomous = auto- (self) + nom- (law/order; from Greek nomos) + -ous (full of) → self-governing/independent. Example: "An autonomous robot can follow a path without a student controlling it."
Prompt: Which sentence best shows that the speaker understands the prefix "over-" meaning "too much"?
A. The overpass helped cars cross the highway.
B. She felt overjoyed when she saw her puppy.
C. They walked over the bridge to get to school.
D. He looked over the map before leaving.
After selecting the best answer, write one sentence explaining your choice and why the other options do not show "too much."
Answer: B. overjoyed — over- = too much (joyed = full of joy). Justification: "Overjoyed" shows excess emotion; the other sentences use over as spatial or review meaning, not "too much."
Prompt: Which explanation best demonstrates understanding of "anti-" as used in "antifreeze"?
A. Anti means "before."
B. Anti means "not" or "against," so antifreeze works to stop freezing.
C. Anti means "together," so antifreeze puts things together.
D. Anti means "small."
After selecting, write one sentence explaining how the prefix gives a functional clue about what antifreeze does.
Answer: B. Antifreeze prevents freezing; anti- = against or preventing. The prefix indicates the substance acts against freezing.
Prompt: Which option best shows understanding of root "voc" in "vocabulary"?
A. Vocabulary shows how people measure time.
B. Vocabulary relates to words people call out or use—root voc = call/voice.
C. Vocabulary is about shapes and forms.
D. Vocabulary means very small things.
After selecting, cite a sentence where "vocabulary" signals voice/words.
Answer: B. Example citation: "Her vocabulary of science words helps her explain experiments clearly." (Shows vocabulary = set of words used/called upon.)
Prompt: Which sentence best demonstrates understanding of "port" in "portable"?
A. The portable speaker is fixed to the wall.
B. The portable speaker is easy to carry from place to place.
C. The portable speaker is visible across the room.
D. The portable speaker is very hot.
After choosing, write one sentence explaining how "port" clues meaning.
Answer: B. port = carry; portable means able to be carried.
Prompt: Which sentence shows correct understanding of "tele-" in "telemedicine"?
A. Telemedicine means doctors meet patients only in person.
B. Telemedicine uses distance technology to connect doctors and patients.
C. Telemedicine is always about tiny organisms.
D. Telemedicine means the doctor travels by foot.
After selecting, write one sentence explaining how "tele-" contributes to the concept.
Answer: B. tele- = far/distance; telemedicine uses technology to treat patients at a distance.
Prompt: Compare and contrast the meanings of "interpersonal" and "international." Deconstruct each word into prefix + root + suffix, explain how the prefix "inter-" operates similarly or differently in each word, and evaluate which contexts would require deeper understanding of "inter-" to determine meaning. Provide two example situations (one for each word) illustrating correct use.
Answer: interpersonal = inter- (between) + person (person) + -al (relating to) → relating to interactions between people. international = inter- (between) + nation (nation) + -al (relating to) → relating to interactions between nations. "Inter-" means "between" in both; difference is the base (person vs. nation). Context: a classroom conflict requires "interpersonal" understanding; a trade agreement requires "international" understanding.
Prompt: Choose two "con-" words with different senses (one meaning "together" and one meaning "with/against/strongly") and analyze how Latin roots cause differences. Deconstruct and defend selection (3–4 sentences).
Answer (example): connect = con- (with/together) + nect (bind) → join together. constrict = con- (intensive; with/strongly) + strict (draw tight) → tighten strongly. Latin con- sometimes keeps "with" sense, other times serves as an intensifier. The base words (nect, strict) determine the nuance when combined.
Prompt: Compare "video" and "evidence." Deconstruct both, explain how "see" differs (literal vs. proof), and give an example sentence where root knowledge clarifies meaning.
Answer: video = vid/vis (see) + -eo (related to) → recording you can see (literal vision). evidence = e- (out) + vid/vis (see) + -ence (state) → something that makes truth visible/proves (figurative "see"). Example: "The video shows the event; the evidence shows why the judge believes it happened." Knowing vid/vis signals sight helps distinguish literal viewing vs. proof.
Prompt: Choose "spectator" and "inspect." Deconstruct, analyze "spect" function, and synthesize explanation with example sentences.
Answer: spectator = spect (look) + -ator (one who) → one who watches (e.g., at a game). inspect = in- (into) + spect (look) → to look into closely (e.g., a mechanic inspects an engine). Both use spect = look; context shifts nuance (watching vs. examining).
Prompt: Analyze how "vac-" changes meaning in "vacate" vs. "vacuum." Deconstruct both and write two sentences using each correctly.
Answer: vacate = vac- (empty) + -ate (make/verb) → to make empty/leave; vacuum = vac- (empty) + -uum (noun form) → empty space or device creating emptiness. Sentences: "We must vacate the room during the fire drill." "The vacuum cleaned up the dust."
Prompt: Invent an original short paragraph (3–4 sentences) that includes two words using these prefixes where one word uses "fore-" and the other uses "inter-." Then deconstruct both words, explaining how the prefixes change the base meanings. Explain how switching the prefixes would change or break the meaning.
Answer (example paragraph): "The weather team issued a forecast before the big game so the players could prepare. During halftime, the coach held an intermission to let players rest and talk." Deconstructions: forecast = fore- (before) + cast (predict) → prediction made before events; intermission = inter- (between) + mission (sending/period) → a break between parts. Swapping prefixes (e.g., "intercast" or "foremission") would be incorrect or change meaning; "intercast" isn't standard and "foremission" would imply a mission before something, altering intended meanings.
Prompt: Create a short persuasive paragraph (3–4 sentences) that uses one "anti-" word and one "con-" word correctly. Then deconstruct both words and justify why each prefix is crucial.
Answer (example paragraph): "We should support legislation to ban harmful chemicals because anti-pollution measures protect our health. Community groups can convene to plan actions that reduce waste." Deconstructions: anti-pollution = anti- (against) + pollution → measures against pollution; convene = con- (together) + vene (come) → come together. Justification: anti- signals opposition; con- signals joint action—both change base meanings critically.
Prompt: Pick a career that uses voc or vid/vis, deconstruct a job term, explain how root shapes duties, and create a formative assessment item with sample answer.
Answer (example): Career: Advocate. Term: vocal coach → vocal = voc (voice) + -al (related to) + coach. Duties: helps develop voice skills. Formative item: "Explain how 'vocal' tells you what a vocal coach does." Sample student answer: "Vocal means related to voice, so a vocal coach teaches people how to use their voices better."
Prompt: Invent an investigative scenario where someone must "extract" information and one where someone must "attract" attention. Deconstruct both, explain role of "tract," and evaluate differences.
Answer: extract = ex- (out) + tract (pull) → pull out information (e.g., detective extracts a confession). attract = ad- (to/toward) + tract (pull) → pull toward (e.g., bright sign attracts customers). Prefixes change direction: ex- pulls out; ad- pulls toward.
Prompt: Deconstruct "chronicle" and explain why ordering events chronologically is useful.
Answer: chronicle = chron- (time) + -icle (small record) → a record of events in time. Ordering events chronologically helps readers see cause and effect.
Prompt: Choose a complex real-world word that uses at least two prefixes/roots (example: "interdisciplinary"). Deconstruct it fully, explain each affix and root, and write a concise evidence-based explanation (4–5 sentences) of how understanding these parts helps infer meaning in a new context. Include one example sentence.
Answer (example): interdisciplinary = inter- (between) + disciplin(e) (field of study) + -ary (relating to). Meaning: involving two or more fields of study. Evidence-based explanation: Knowing inter- = between and discipline = field shows the word refers to work that connects fields. Example sentence: "The inter-disciplinary team of biologists and engineers developed a new water filter." (Accept similar complex words with correct deconstruction.)
Prompt: Deconstruct "hydroponics" and explain why it might be used
Hydroponics is used to grow plants without soil by providing nutrients directly in water, which allows precise control over water, nutrients, and root conditions. It is useful where soil is poor, space is limited (like urban settings or greenhouses), or when growers want faster growth and higher yields. Hydroponic systems can conserve water compared with some traditional farming methods because water is recirculated and reused.
Prompt: Identify two vid/vis/voc words in a paragraph provided by teacher (or example below), deconstruct, infer meanings, and write a 5–6 sentence evidence-based explanation.
Answer (example paragraph and response): Paragraph: "The witness gave vivid video testimony and used clear vocabulary." Words: vivid (vid = see; vivid = producing strong images), video (see + recording), vocabulary (voc = call/words). Explanation: deconstruction shows connection to seeing and speaking; "vivid" suggests clear mental images; "video" is literal recording; "vocabulary" shows words used—these clues help infer meaning.
Prompt: Design a two-part assessment (Part A transform words with prefixes; Part B annotate paragraph). Provide rubric and exemplar responses.
Answer (summary): Part A example: Change "form" with prefixes to create "reform" (again change), "transform" (change across). Part B example paragraph annotated with transport (trans + port), inspection (in + spect + ion). Rubric: accuracy of deconstruction (0–4), correct contextual meaning (0–4), explanation clarity (0–8). Exemplars provided: "transportation = trans- (across) + port (carry) + -ation (process) → moving goods across distances."
Prompt: Which pairing best matches root to meaning?
A. hydro — earth; aqua — time
B. hydro — water; aqua — water
C. hydro — heat; aqua — small
D. hydro — far; aqua — around
After selecting, write one sentence on teaching hydro/aqua spotting.
Answer: B. Both hydro- and aqua- relate to water. Teaching tip: point out water-related words like "hydroelectric" and "aquarium" so students notice patterns.