How a word changes with its ending, and what its root means

Grade 9 Reading Worksheet - Challenge Me

Circle the best answer.

1. Read this first

   Sentence

   The photographs showed incontrovertibly that the dam had been built before the flood. Strip: in (not) | contra (against) | vert (turn) | ible (able to be) | ly (in a way)

2. 1.

   Ari builds a five-part strip for a word in a news report. What does the whole word mean here?

   • not able to be argued against
   • in a way that cannot be argued against
   • in a way that cannot be written down
   • in a way that can be argued against
3. 2.

   The detective conducted an investigation of the missing records. After: The detective ___ the missing records. Luz tightens a sentence for a science magazine. Which word fills the blank and keeps the meaning?

   • investigative
   • investigated
   • investigator
   • investigation

4. Sentence

   The lake level fell imperceptibly over the dry summer, a hair's width each day. Strip: im (not) | per (through) | cept (take, seize) | ible (able to be) | ly (in a way)

5. 3.

   Jun builds a five-part strip for a word in a news report. What does the whole word mean here?

   • in a way too slight to be noticed
   • in a way that can be noticed
   • not able to be noticed
   • in a way that cannot be heard

6. Before

   The two clubs negotiated for hours before the league stepped in. After: The ___ between the two clubs lasted hours before the league stepped in.

7. 4.

   Pia tightens a sentence for a science magazine. Which word fills the blank and keeps the meaning?

   • negotiator
   • negotiation
   • negotiated
   • negotiable
8. 5.

   Bo checks a sentence for a park newsletter that uses two words from one root. Which version uses both correctly?

   • After an exhaustive climb, the rangers wrote an exhaustive report on every trail.
   • After an exhausting climb, the rangers wrote an exhaustive report on every trail.
   • After an exhaustive climb, the rangers wrote an exhausting report on every trail.
   • After an exhausting climb, the rangers wrote an exhausting report on every trail.

9. Sentence

   The coach stated unequivocally that no player would be cut from the team. Strip: un (not) | equi (equal) | voc (voice) | al (relating to) | ly (in a way)

10. 6.

    Milo builds a five-part strip for a word in a news report. What does the whole word mean here?

    • not open to more than one meaning
    • in a way that leaves no doubt about the meaning
    • in a way that is not equal for each player
    • in a way that is open to doubt, with two possible meanings

11. Before

    The students observed the weather closely, and the log showed three clear patterns. After: The students' close ___ of the weather produced a log with three clear patterns.

12. 7.

    Zee tightens a sentence for a science magazine. Which word fills the blank and keeps the meaning?

    • observer
    • observed
    • observant
    • observation

13. Sentence

    The volunteers worked indefatigably through the night to sort the donated coats. Strip: in (not) | de (down) | fatig (tire) | able (able to be) | ly (in a way)

14. 8.

    Ren builds a five-part strip for a word in a news report. What does the whole word mean here?

    • in a way that cannot be worn out
    • in a way that can be worn out
    • in a way that cannot be defeated
    • not able to be worn out
15. 9.

    Competition for funding among the scientists grew fierce that year. After: That year, the scientists ___ fiercely for funding. Esme tightens a sentence for a science magazine. Which word fills the blank and keeps the meaning?

    • competed
    • competitor
    • competition
    • competitive
16. 10.

    Noah checks a sentence for a hiking guide that uses two words from one root. Which version uses both correctly?

    • The trail followed a tortuous path up the ridge, and the torturous heat made each switchback feel longer.
    • The trail followed a torturous path up the ridge, and the tortuous heat made each switchback feel longer.
    • The trail followed a tortuous path up the ridge, and the tortuous heat made each switchback feel longer.
    • The trail followed a torturous path up the ridge, and the torturous heat made each switchback feel longer.