Question 1
The suffix -ive appears in words like creative and
impulsive. In some words it takes the extended form -ative,
as in informative and talkative. What does this suffix
mean?
"-ive" forms adjectives meaning "tending to or relating to."
Creative = tending to create; impulsive = tending toward
impulse. The extended form "-ative" carries the same meaning:
informative = relating to informing. The suffix is not
interchangeable with "-ous" (full of) or "-able"
(capable of).
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Answer question 1 to unlock
The suffix -able appears in words like adaptable and
readable. When attached to Latin roots, the same suffix appears
as -ible, as in credible and tangible. What
does this suffix mean?
"-able" and "-ible" both mean "capable of or worthy of."
Adaptable = capable of adapting; credible = worthy of
belief; tangible = capable of being touched. The form
"-able" typically attaches to full English words; "-ible"
typically attaches to Latin roots. The meaning is identical.
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Answer question 2 to unlock
The word resilient contains the suffix -ent. When the
same suffix follows certain roots, it appears as -ant, as in
dominant and buoyant — the vowel must be memorized. How
does -ent shape the meaning of resilient?
"-ent" (and its variant "-ant") forms adjectives meaning
"being or having the quality of." Resilient = having the quality
of springing back from adversity. The variant "-ant" carries the
same meaning: dominant = having the quality of dominating. The
vowel choice (e vs. a) must be memorized.
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Answer question 3 to unlock
The word reluctantly contains the suffix -ly. How does
-ly shape the meaning of this word?
"-ly" almost always signals an adverb, converting an adjective
into a word describing how something is done. Reluctantly = in a
reluctant or unwilling manner. The underlying adjective (reluctant)
is always identifiable beneath a "-ly" adverb.
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Answer question 4 to unlock
The suffix -ent appears in student. A reader expects
student to function as an adjective meaning "having the quality
of studying." What does this overlook?
"-ent" and "-ant" can form either adjectives or nouns.
As an adjective suffix, "-ent" means "having the quality of":
confident, resilient. As a noun suffix, it produces
agent nouns: student (one who studies), assistant (one
who assists). Context — not the suffix alone — determines which role it
is playing.
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Answer question 5 to unlock
The word carelessly contains the suffix -ly. Which
statement best describes what -ly contributes to this word?
"-ly" converts adjectives into adverbs indicating how an action
is performed. Carelessly = in a careless manner. This is the
standard function of "-ly": the underlying adjective
(careless) is always identifiable beneath the adverb.
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Answer question 6 to unlock
The suffix -ative appears in remunerative. The root
remunerat- comes from Latin meaning "to reward or repay." What
does remunerative most likely mean?
"-ative" (an extended form of "-ive") means "tending to
or relating to." Remunerative = tending to provide remuneration
(reward or payment) — used to describe work or activities that are
financially worthwhile.
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Answer question 7 to unlock
The suffix -ible appears in indelible. The prefix
in- means "not," and the root del- comes from Latin
delere, meaning "to delete or erase." What does indelible
most likely mean?
"-ible" means "capable of." With the prefix "in-" (not)
added, indelible = not capable of being deleted or erased —
permanent and impossible to remove. The suffix works identically in
credible (capable of being believed) and tangible
(capable of being touched).
correct answers
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