Word Sleuths Activity Sheet
Case Dossier 14 Skill Builder
THE MIDNIGHT SIGNAL
Name:
Date:
Agent Code:
Morphology Formula Prefix (Front) + Base Root + Suffix (End) = Meaning
Inference Equation Text Clue + Brain Knowledge = Detective Deduction
PART 1
Word Surgery Lab • Deconstruct the Code
Break apart each word into its parts. Read the clue cards to discover the exact meaning.
TARGET WORD 1: DISCONNECT Clue: dis- means "opposite / apart"
Prefix dis- (apart / reverse)
Base Root connect (join together)
Suffix [none] --
What does disconnect mean in your own words?
TARGET WORD 2: UNPREDICTABLE Clue: predict means "tell ahead"
Prefix un- (not / opposite)
Base Root predict (tell the future)
Suffix -able (can be done)
If the machine's power is unpredictable, what is it doing?
PART 2
Case Incident 14 • Field Log
Marcus slipped into the robotics workshop at 8:00 PM. The overhead fluorescent lights suddenly blinked twice and clicked off, leaving only the blue emergency glow. Across the cement floor, a wet trail of black motor oil led straight behind the heavy iron workbench. From the dark corner came a low, rhythmic grinding sound, followed by the metallic clatter of dropped bolts. Marcus gripped his flashlight tight. His pulse thumped hard against his ribs.
Deduction Matrix: Use text clues and your brain to solve the case.
1. Text Clue
"Marcus gripped his flashlight tight. His pulse thumped hard against his ribs."
2. Brain Knowledge
When someone's heart races and they hold a light tight, they feel...
3. Inference (How Marcus Feels)
1. Text Clue
"Trail of black motor oil... low grinding sound... dropped bolts."
2. Brain Knowledge
What kinds of things leak motor oil, grind gears, and drop bolts?
3. Inference (What is Behind the Bench?)
Investigator Level: Apprentice Sleuth Page 1 of 2
Case Dossier 14 • Part 2
FORENSIC WORD & EVIDENCE LAB
Continue Case File • Agent Verification
Root Clue: Greek and Latin roots are like secret building blocks. The Latin root STRUCT means to build or pile. The Latin root VIS means to see.
PART 3
Root Decoder in the Field
Read each sentence from the laboratory report. Use the root meaning and sentence clues to solve each question.
INCIDENT NOTE A Root: STRUCT = build / pile
"Marcus could not reach the fire exit door because a heavy metal OBSTRUCTION had been piled high across the hallway."
Based on the root struct and sentence clues, what was the obstruction doing?
A. Lighting up the hallway like a neon sign
B. Blocking the way like a wall built out of junk
C. Unlocking the door automatically
INCIDENT NOTE B Root: VIS = to see
"The thick smoke reduced Marcus's VISIBILITY to zero, forcing him to crawl on his hands and knees."
Explain what happened to Marcus's visibility using the root meaning "to see":
PART 4
The Final Deduction • Solving the Mystery
Marcus clicked his flashlight on and aimed the beam behind the workbench. An experimental repair droid sat tucked in the corner. Its robotic arms held a silver wrench, carefully tightening loose screws on a broken heater. Above its sensor eyes, a tiny digital display screen flashed bright green with the message: "REPAIR COMPLETE: SYSTEM SAFE."
1. Was the droid trying to harm the lab, or was it trying to help? Provide ONE piece of evidence from the story.
2. Infer: Why did the droid hide behind the workbench in the dark instead of staying out in the middle of the room?
Agent Self-Check: Broke words into parts Paired text clue with brain knowledge
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