English Language Arts
Grade 7
15 min
Words with pre-
Words with pre-
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1
Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Identify the prefix 'pre-' in various words.
Define the common meaning of the prefix 'pre-'.
Determine the meaning of unfamiliar words containing 'pre-' by analyzing their structure.
Construct new words by adding 'pre-' to appropriate root words.
Use context clues to confirm the meaning of 'pre-' words in sentences.
Explain how prefixes like 'pre-' enhance vocabulary and reading comprehension.
Ever wonder how one tiny part of a word can tell you *when* something happens? 🤔 Get ready to unlock the secret power of 'pre-'!
In this lesson, we'll dive deep into words that start with 'pre-', discovering what this powerful prefix means and how it can help you understand countl...
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
PrefixA group of letters added to the *beginning* of a word to change its meaning.In 'unhappy,' 'un-' is the prefix.
Root WordThe basic part of a word that carries the main meaning and to which prefixes and suffixes can be added.In 'preview,' 'view' is the root word.
'pre-' (Prefix)A common prefix that means 'before' or 'in front of.''Prepay' means to pay *before*.
EtymologyThe study of the origin and historical development of words. Understanding etymology can help us see how prefixes like 'pre-' have consistent meanings.The word 'predict' comes from Latin *prae-* ('before') + *dicere* ('to say').
Context CluesHints found within a sentence, paragra...
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Key Rules & Conventions
The Meaning of 'pre-'
The prefix 'pre-' consistently means 'before' or 'in front of.'
When you see 'pre-' at the beginning of a word, immediately think 'before.' This is the fundamental meaning that will help you unlock the word's overall definition.
Attaching 'pre-' to Root Words
'pre-' is always attached directly to the beginning of a root word, without a hyphen (unless the root is a proper noun or number, which is rare for this prefix).
To form a new word, simply place 'pre-' right before the root word. For example, 'pre' + 'view' becomes 'preview.'
'pre-' Changes the Root's Timing or Position
Adding 'pre-' to a root w...
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Challenging
Both 'prejudged' and 'pre-screened' involve evaluating something beforehand. However, 'prejudged' has a strong negative connotation. Why?
A.Because 'pre-screened' is a newer word and is therefore more positive.
B.Because 'prejudged' implies forming an opinion without sufficient evidence, while 'pre-screened' implies a neutral, systematic check.
C.Because judging is always a negative action, regardless of the prefix.
D.Because 'prejudged' is used in legal settings, which are always negative.
Challenging
A character in a story says, 'I don't need to prepay for the concert ticket. I'll just pay for it before I get there.' What is the flaw in the character's logic?
A.The character correctly understands that 'prepay' is optional.
B.The character thinks 'prepay' means to pay a very high price.
C.The character fails to understand that 'prepay' and 'pay before' mean the same thing.
D.The character believes 'prepay' means to pay after the concert.
Challenging
Based on the tutorial, how does a strong understanding of prefixes like 'pre-' most significantly enhance a student's overall reading comprehension?
A.It helps them read faster by skipping over long words.
B.It guarantees they will know the meaning of every word they encounter.
C.It makes them better at spelling difficult words.
D.It equips them with a strategy to decode unfamiliar words by analyzing their parts.
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