Spell words with prefixes, suffixes and word bases

Grade 8 Reading Worksheet - Challenge Me

Circle the best answer.

1. Read this first

   Use this

   Families filled the [auditorum] last night for the [introducion] of the new orchestra director, who said a few words before the first piece.

2. 1.

   Ari edits a school notice. Which choice correctly replaces both marked words?

   • auditorrium; introducktion
   • auditorium; introduction
   • auditorum; introduction
   • auditorium; introducsion
3. 2.

   A [projecsion] on the classroom wall showed the [intersecion] where the two old roads crossed before the river changed course. Esme edits a report. Which choice correctly replaces both marked words?

   • projecsion; intersection
   • projection; intersection
   • projeccion; interssection
   • projection; intersecion
4. 3.

   Careful [predicsion] depends on [interpretting] the data from several trials, not from one lucky result. Kira edits a lab note. Which choice correctly replaces both marked words?

   • predicshun; interpreeting
   • prediction; interpretting
   • predicsion; interpreting
   • prediction; interpreting
5. 4.

   “transmit → transmission” Luz explains the spelling of a word. Why is transmission spelled with -ss-?

   • A silent t at the end of a base turns into ss before a suffix.
   • The prefix trans- ends in s, and the s doubles when a base is added.
   • The base mit becomes miss before -ion, so the sound is spelled -ssion.
   • Words that end in -ion have a double s before the ending, as in union.
6. 5.

   “decide → decision” Milo explains the spelling of a word. Why does decide become decision, not decideion?

   • The prefix de- comes off the word before -ion is added.
   • A d sound turns into z when it comes before a vowel.
   • The final -de of the base changes to -s- before -ion.
   • The suffix -ion removes the last two letters of the base in any word.
7. 6.

   “introduce → introduction” Noah explains the spelling of a word. Why is introduction spelled with -ct- when introduce ends in -ce?

   • Words built on the base duce use its form duct before an ending such as -ion.
   • The e of -ce becomes t when the word is a noun.
   • A c at the end of a base turns into ct when a suffix is added.
   • The prefix intro- adds the t, since it ends in o.
8. 7.

   “inter + rupt → interrupt” Pia explains the spelling of a word. Why is interrupt spelled with two r letters?

   • The base rupt has two r sounds in the middle of it.
   • A word that begins with inter- doubles the next letter in each case.
   • One r would make the word sound like interupt, so a second r is added.
   • The prefix inter- ends in r and the base rupt begins with r, so both letters stay.

9. Use this

   Check each word, one part at a time.

10. 8.

    Tala checks three words from a spelling list. Which list has all three spelled correctly?

    • foresight, interaction, deducsion
    • foresight, interaction, deduction
    • forsight, interaction, deduction
    • foresight, interacsion, deduction
11. 9.

    Zee checks three words from a spelling list. Which list has all three spelled correctly?

    • inspector, injection, audience
    • inspector, injection, audients
    • inspecter, injection, audience
    • inspector, injecsion, audience
12. 10.

    Jun checks three words from a spelling list. Which list has all three spelled correctly?

    • superior, reproduction, intergect
    • superier, reproduction, interject
    • superior, reproduction, interject
    • superior, reproducsion, interject