Prefix Showdown Slides
7th Grade ELA • Morphology
6 Prefix Categories
Classroom Game Edition
Prefix Jeopardy!
Six categories dedicated to our target prefixes: RE-, PRE-, DE-, MID-, MIS-, and UN-.
6 Prefix Categories
30 Clues + Final Jeopardy
100 to 500 Points
Remember: Always phrase your answer as a question! Teacher-Led Classroom Deck
HOW TO PLAY & RULES
Classroom Protocol
1
6 Prefix Columns
Each column focuses on one prefix. Teams choose a prefix category and point value (100–500).
2
Question Format
All answers must start with "What is..." or "Who is..." to earn points.
3
Morphology Bonus
Score +100 bonus pts by correctly defining the prefix and the underlying base root!
4
Steal Rules
If the picking team misses, other teams have 10 seconds to buzz in and steal the points!
Categories: RE- (again), PRE- (before), DE- (down/remove), MID- (middle), MIS- (wrong), UN- (not)
Ready to Play!
JEOPARDY! GAME BOARD
Select a Prefix Category & Point Value
RE- Again / Back
100
200
300
400
500
PRE- Before / Prior
100
200
300
400
500
DE- Down / Undo
100
200
300
400
500
MID- Middle / Half
100
200
300
400
500
MIS- Wrong / Bad
100
200
300
400
500
UN- Not / Reverse
100
200
300
400
500
Advance slides in order, or navigate directly to chosen prefix. Includes Final Jeopardy!
Prefix RE- • 100 Points
100 PTS
CLUE
To examine, read through, or inspect study notes once again before taking a 7th-grade unit assessment.
Respond: "What is...?" 30 Seconds to Answer
Prefix RE- • 100 Points • REVEAL
+100 PTS
Correct Response:
What is REVIEW (or REREAD)?
Morphology Breakdown:
• re- (again/back) + view (to look/see) → to look over again.
• Acceptable variants: reread, reexamine.
Award points and return to board or continue 100 Points Scored!
Prefix RE- • 200 Points
200 PTS
CLUE
To fill something back up again that has run dry, such as drinking water supplies or pantry food reserves.
Respond: "What is...?" 30 Seconds to Answer
Prefix RE- • 200 Points • REVEAL
+200 PTS
Correct Response:
What is REPLENISH?
Morphology Breakdown:
• re- (again) + Latin root plenus (full) → to make full again.
• Antonym: deplete (de- = empty out/away).
Award points and return to board or continue 200 Points Scored!
Prefix RE- • 300 Points
300 PTS
CLUE
To restore energy, vigor, or freshness to an individual or an ecosystem so it feels youthful again.
Respond: "What is...?" 30 Seconds to Answer
Prefix RE- • 300 Points • REVEAL
+300 PTS
Correct Response:
What is REJUVENATE?
Morphology Breakdown:
• re- (again) + Latin root juvenis (young) → to make young again.
• Related: juvenile (youthful person).
Award points and return to board or continue +300 Points!
Prefix RE- • 400 Points
400 PTS
CLUE
To state, explain, or declare a central thesis repeatedly for clarity and rhetorical emphasis.
Respond: "What is...?" 30 Seconds to Answer
Prefix RE- • 400 Points • REVEAL
+400 PTS
Correct Response:
What is REITERATE?
Morphology Breakdown:
• re- (again) + Latin root iterate (to do or say again) → to state again for clarity.
• Example: "The debater reiterated her claim three times during her rebuttal."
Award points and return to board or continue 400 Points Earned!
Prefix RE- • 500 Points
500 PTS
CLUE
Using root tract (to pull/draw), this word means to formally pull back, recant, or withdraw a false statement.
Respond: "What is...?" 30 Seconds to Answer
Prefix RE- • 500 Points • REVEAL
+500 PTS
Correct Response:
What is RETRACT?
Morphology Breakdown:
• re- (back) + Latin root tract (pull/drag) → to pull back what was said.
• Related: retractable (able to be pulled back inside).
Top Tier RE- Clue Cleared! +500 Points to Team
Prefix PRE- • 100 Points
100 PTS
CLUE
An action or measure of care taken beforehand to prevent injury, disease, or damage (such as wearing safety goggles).
Respond: "What is a...?" 30 Seconds to Answer
Prefix PRE- • 100 Points • REVEAL
+100 PTS
Correct Response:
What is a PRECAUTION?
Morphology Breakdown:
• pre- (before) + caution (care/watchfulness) → care taken beforehand.
• Example: "Washing hands is a vital health precaution."
Award points and return to board or continue 100 Points Scored!
Prefix PRE- • 200 Points
200 PTS
CLUE
A required class or academic condition that you must complete prior to enrolling in an advanced course.
Respond: "What is a...?" 30 Seconds to Answer
Prefix PRE- • 200 Points • REVEAL
+200 PTS
Correct Response:
What is a PREREQUISITE?
Morphology Breakdown:
• pre- (before) + requisite (required) → required beforehand.
• Example: "Earth Science is a prerequisite for high school biology."
Award points and return to board or continue 200 Points Scored!
Prefix PRE- • 300 Points
300 PTS
CLUE
An earlier legal ruling or historic decision that establishes a standard rule for all future comparable cases.
Respond: "What is a...?" 30 Seconds to Answer
Prefix PRE- • 300 Points • REVEAL
+300 PTS
Correct Response:
What is a PRECEDENT?
Morphology Breakdown:
• pre- (before) + Latin root cedere (to go) → that which went before.
• Antonym adjective: unprecedented (un- = not).
Award points and return to board or continue +300 Points!
Prefix PRE- • 400 Points
400 PTS
CLUE
Occurring, blooming, or arriving too early before full growth or proper readiness.
Respond: "What is...?" 30 Seconds to Answer
Prefix PRE- • 400 Points • REVEAL
+400 PTS
Correct Response:
What is PREMATURE?
Morphology Breakdown:
• pre- (before) + mature (ripe/fully grown) → arriving before full maturity.
• Adverb form: prematurely ("to celebrate prematurely").
Award points and return to board or continue 400 Points!
Prefix PRE- • 500 Points
500 PTS
CLUE
An intuitive feeling or strong forewarning that something unpleasant is about to happen, from Latin root monere (to warn).
Respond: "What is a...?" 30 Seconds to Answer
Prefix PRE- • 500 Points • REVEAL
+500 PTS
Correct Response:
What is a PREMONITION?
Morphology Breakdown:
• pre- (before) + Latin root monere (to warn/advise) + -tion (noun suffix).
• Synonym: forewarning, presentiment.
Top Tier PRE- Clue Cleared! +500 Points to Team
Prefix DE- • 100 Points
100 PTS
CLUE
To reduce velocity or slow down, serving as the direct antonym of accelerate.
Respond: "What is...?" 30 Seconds to Answer
Prefix DE- • 100 Points • REVEAL
+100 PTS
Correct Response:
What is DECELERATE?
Morphology Breakdown:
• de- (down/reverse) + Latin root celer (speed/swift) → to bring speed down.
• Related: celerity (swiftness of movement).
Award points and return to board or continue 100 Points Scored!
Prefix DE- • 200 Points
200 PTS
CLUE
The biological process where bacteria and fungi break down and rot dead matter into simple organic soil nutrients.
Respond: "What is...?" 30 Seconds to Answer
Prefix DE- • 200 Points • REVEAL
+200 PTS
Correct Response:
What is DECOMPOSE?
Morphology Breakdown:
• de- (undo/reverse) + compose (to put together) → to undo the structure.
• Noun form: decomposition.
Award points and return to board or continue 200 Points Scored!
Prefix DE- • 300 Points
300 PTS
CLUE
To analyze an argument, machine, or literary text by taking apart its separate pieces.
Respond: "What is...?" 30 Seconds to Answer
Prefix DE- • 300 Points • REVEAL
+300 PTS
Correct Response:
What is DECONSTRUCT?
Morphology Breakdown:
• de- (take apart/undo) + construct (to build) → to take apart to understand.
• Literature link: "Deconstructing an author's persuasive claims."
Award points and return to board or continue +300 Points!
Prefix DE- • 400 Points
400 PTS
CLUE
To severely drain, exhaust, or empty out a reserve of groundwater, fuel, or bodily energy.
Respond: "What is...?" 30 Seconds to Answer
Prefix DE- • 400 Points • REVEAL
+400 PTS
Correct Response:
What is DEPLETE?
Morphology Breakdown:
• de- (completely away) + Latin root plere (to fill) → literally "to unfill" / drain dry.
• Direct antonym: replenish (re- = fill again).
Award points and return to board or continue 400 Points!
Prefix DE- • 500 Points
500 PTS
CLUE
To lower someone's dignity or status, or cause environmental quality to deteriorate step by step.
Respond: "What is...?" 30 Seconds to Answer
Prefix DE- • 500 Points • REVEAL
+500 PTS
Correct Response:
What is DEGRADE (or DEMEAN)?
Morphology Breakdown:
• de- (down) + Latin root gradus (step/rank) → to take a step downward.
• Science connection: biodegradable (able to be broken down by life).
Top Tier DE- Clue Cleared! +500 Points to Team
Prefix MID- • 100 Points
100 PTS
CLUE
Taking place in the middle of an academic school term, often referring to a major benchmark exam.
Respond: "What is a...?" 30 Seconds to Answer
Prefix MID- • 100 Points • REVEAL
+100 PTS
Correct Response:
What is MIDTERM?
Morphology Breakdown:
• mid- (middle) + term (school semester/period) → middle of the term.
• Compound noun: written as one word without a hyphen.
Award points and return to board or continue 100 Points on the Board!
Prefix MID- • 200 Points
200 PTS
CLUE
Suspended, leaping, or flying between the surface of the ground and the sky above.
Respond: "What is...?" 30 Seconds to Answer
Prefix MID- • 200 Points • REVEAL
+200 PTS
Correct Response:
What is MIDAIR?
Morphology Breakdown:
• mid- (middle) + air (atmosphere) → in the middle of flight.
• Example: "The falcon intercepted its prey in midair."
Award points and return to board or continue 200 Points Scored!
Prefix MID- • 300 Points
300 PTS
CLUE
The middle or central part of an organism's torso, or the center region of an airplane or ship.
Respond: "What is the...?" 30 Seconds to Answer
Prefix MID- • 300 Points • REVEAL
+300 PTS
Correct Response:
What is the MIDSECTION?
Morphology Breakdown:
• mid- (middle) + section (portion/part) → middle portion.
• Biology context: The thorax forms the insect's midsection between head and abdomen.
Award points and return to board or continue +300 Points!
Prefix MID- • 400 Points
400 PTS
CLUE
In 7th-grade geometry, the exact spot that divides a straight line segment into two equal halves.
Respond: "What is the...?" 30 Seconds to Answer
Prefix MID- • 400 Points • REVEAL
+400 PTS
Correct Response:
What is the MIDPOINT?
Morphology Breakdown:
• mid- (middle) + point (exact location/coordinate).
• Math formula: \(M = \left(\frac{x_1 + x_2}{2}, \frac{y_1 + y_2}{2}\right)\).
Award points and return to board or continue 400 Points Scored!
Prefix MID- • 500 Points
500 PTS
CLUE
State the strict punctuation rule required when attaching the prefix mid- to capitalized proper nouns like Atlantic or July.
Respond: "What is...?" 30 Seconds to Answer
Prefix MID- • 500 Points • REVEAL
+500 PTS
Correct Response:
What is USE A HYPHEN?
Grammar & Punctuation Rule:
• Common nouns: no hyphen (midnight, midstream, midwinter).
• Proper nouns: always hyphenate (mid-July, mid-Atlantic, mid-Victorian).
Top Tier MID- Clue Cleared! +500 Points to Team
Prefix MIS- • 100 Points
100 PTS
CLUE
An unlucky occurrence, disaster, or period of bad luck and adversity that befalls a story's protagonist.
Respond: "What is...?" 30 Seconds to Answer
Prefix MIS- • 100 Points • REVEAL
+100 PTS
Correct Response:
What is MISFORTUNE?
Morphology Breakdown:
• mis- (bad/ill) + fortune (luck/fate) → bad luck.
• Related: misadventure (an unfortunate mishap).
Award points and return to board or continue 100 Points Scored!
Prefix MIS- • 200 Points
200 PTS
CLUE
To judge a math equation, architectural measurement, or strategic risk erroneously or inaccurately.
Respond: "What is...?" 30 Seconds to Answer
Prefix MIS- • 200 Points • REVEAL
+200 PTS
Correct Response:
What is MISCALCULATE?
Morphology Breakdown:
• mis- (wrongly) + calculate (compute/estimate) → to compute wrong.
• Noun form: miscalculation.
Award points and return to board or continue 200 Points Scored!
Prefix MIS- • 300 Points
300 PTS
CLUE
A minor legal wrongdoing or behavioral infraction that is less severe than a major felony.
Respond: "What is a...?" 30 Seconds to Answer
Prefix MIS- • 300 Points • REVEAL
+300 PTS
Correct Response:
What is a MISDEMEANOR?
Morphology Breakdown:
• mis- (badly/wrong) + demeanor (behavior/conduct) → bad conduct.
• Civics term: Contrasted with felony (severe criminal charge).
Award points and return to board or continue +300 Points!
Prefix MIS- • 400 Points
400 PTS
CLUE
To guide someone in the wrong direction or cause them to believe something that is not true.
Respond: "What is...?" 30 Seconds to Answer
Prefix MIS- • 400 Points • REVEAL
+400 PTS
Correct Response:
What is MISLEAD (or MISINFORM)?
Morphology Breakdown:
• mis- (wrongly) + lead (guide/direct) → to guide in the wrong direction.
• Adjective form: misleading ("a misleading advertisement").
Award points and return to board or continue 400 Points!
Prefix MIS- • 500 Points
500 PTS
CLUE
To interpret, translate, or explain someone's words or motives in an incorrect or unfair way.
Respond: "What is...?" 30 Seconds to Answer
Prefix MIS- • 500 Points • REVEAL
+500 PTS
Correct Response:
What is MISCONSTRUE?
Morphology Breakdown:
• mis- (wrongly) + Latin root construere (to construct / interpret) → to build the wrong meaning.
• Example: "Do not misconstrue silence as agreement."
Top Tier MIS- Clue Cleared! +500 Points to Team
Prefix UN- • 100 Points
100 PTS
CLUE
Describing weather or outcomes that change so erratically that they cannot be foretold in advance.
Respond: "What is...?" 30 Seconds to Answer
Prefix UN- • 100 Points • REVEAL
+100 PTS
Correct Response:
What is UNPREDICTABLE?
Morphology Breakdown:
• un- (not) + pre- (before) + dict (say) + -able (capable of).
• Double prefix bonus: Combines both un- and pre-!
Award points and return to board or continue 100 Points Scored!
Prefix UN- • 200 Points
200 PTS
CLUE
Never having happened or existed before in recorded human history; lacking any prior example.
Respond: "What is...?" 30 Seconds to Answer
Prefix UN- • 200 Points • REVEAL
+200 PTS
Correct Response:
What is UNPRECEDENTED?
Morphology Breakdown:
• un- (not) + precedent (prior standard) + -ed (adjective suffix).
• Example: "The storm brought unprecedented rainfall amounts."
Award points and return to board or continue +200 Points!
Prefix UN- • 300 Points
300 PTS
CLUE
Firm, resolute, and refusing to give up, bend, or surrender even under intense opposition.
Respond: "What is...?" 30 Seconds to Answer
Prefix UN- • 300 Points • REVEAL
+300 PTS
Correct Response:
What is UNYIELDING (or UNWAVERING)?
Morphology Breakdown:
• un- (not) + yielding (giving in/surrendering) → refusing to submit.
• Synonyms: adamant, steadfast.
Award points and return to board or continue +300 Points!
Prefix UN- • 400 Points
400 PTS
CLUE
Quiet, modest, and humble; not acting arrogant or presumptuous about one's exceptional skills.
Respond: "What is...?" 30 Seconds to Answer
Prefix UN- • 400 Points • REVEAL
+400 PTS
Correct Response:
What is UNASSUMING?
Morphology Breakdown:
• un- (not) + assuming (presumptuous/acting superior) → modest and down-to-earth.
• Example: "The Nobel prize winner possessed an unassuming personality."
Award points and return to board or continue 400 Points!
Prefix UN- • 500 Points
500 PTS
CLUE
Complete and not shortened or condensed in any way, commonly describing a full dictionary or complete literary edition.
Respond: "What is...?" 30 Seconds to Answer
Prefix UN- • 500 Points • REVEAL
+500 PTS
Correct Response:
What is UNABRIDGED?
Morphology Breakdown:
• un- (not) + abridged (condensed/shortened) → not shortened.
• Example: "We listened to the unabridged audiobook version of the classic novel."
Final Regular Board Clue Cleared! Prepare for Final Jeopardy!
The Championship Round
FINAL JEOPARDY!
Today's Final Category Is:
Double Prefix Collision
Teacher Instructions:
Teams have 60 seconds to record their secret wagers (up to their current total score). Once wagers are in, advance to reveal the final clue!
Wagers are locked and cannot be changed! 60-Second Wager Window
Final Jeopardy Clue
FINAL CLUE
FINAL CLUE • 60 SECONDS
Analyze the 15-letter vocabulary word UNPREMEDITATED: Identify the TWO target prefixes in this word, and explain its literal definition.
Write answer on team whiteboard: "What are...?" Time is running!
Final Jeopardy • REVEAL & VICTORY
GAME OVER
The Correct Response:
What are UN- (not) and PRE- (before)?
Full Word Decoded:
• un- (not) + pre- (before) + Latin root meditari (to ponder/plan) + -ed.
• Definition: Not planned, calculated, or thought through in advance; done spontaneously.
Tally Final Wagers & Crown the 7th-Grade Morphology Champions!
Mastered: RE-, PRE-, DE-, MID-, MIS-, UN- Outstanding Word Study Work!