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Spelling Quiz - Words beginning with il... (Questions)

Explore KS3 spellings that use the prefix il-. Practise spotting how il- changes meanings, build your vocabulary and check you understand how these negative forms work in sentences.

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Fascinating Fact:

The prefix il- can mean “not” when it goes in front of some words, like legal → illegal, literate → illiterate, logical → illogical. Remember that il- + word often makes an opposite.

In KS3 English spelling, students explore how prefixes change meanings and spellings. Adding letters such as il- to the start of a root word can turn a positive idea into its negative form.

Key Terms

  • Prefix: A group of letters added to the beginning of a word that changes its meaning, such as il- in illegal.
  • Root word: The main part of a word that carries the core meaning, before any prefixes or suffixes are added.
  • Negative form: A version of a word that means the opposite, often made by adding a prefix that shows “not”.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

What does the prefix il- mean in KS3 English spelling?

In KS3 English spelling, il- usually means “not” or “the opposite of”. For example, legal becomes illegal, meaning “not legal”. The prefix changes both the meaning and the spelling pattern.

How can I remember when to use il-, im-, in- or ir-?

Look at the first letter of the root word. Words beginning with l often take il-, with m or p often take im-, with r often take ir-, and many others use in-. Learning examples helps fix the patterns.

Why are prefixes important for KS3 spelling tests?

Prefixes are important because they help you decode meaning and predict spellings. If you know what a prefix means, you can work out new words more easily and avoid common spelling mistakes in exams and writing.

Try These Related Quizzes

1. Click the correct answer for the following definition.
Anything that seems to be something that it is not
[ ] ilusiun
[ ] ilusion
[ ] ilusien
[ ] illusion
2. Click the correct answer for the following definition.
Used in literature to refer to descriptive language that evokes sensory experience
[ ] imagerry
[ ] imajary
[ ] immagery
[ ] imagery
3. Click the correct answer for the following definition.
Existing only in the imagination
[ ] imajinary
[ ] imaginerry
[ ] imaginary
[ ] imaginery
4. Click the correct answer for the following definition.
A person who comes into and permanently settles in one country after moving from another
[ ] immigrant
[ ] immergrant
[ ] imigrant
[ ] immigrunt
5. Click the correct answer for the following definition.
Deliberately violating accepted principles of right and wrong
[ ] imoral
[ ] immorell
[ ] immorel
[ ] immoral
6. Click the correct answer for the following definition.
The quality of not being in accord with standards of right or good conduct
[ ] immorality
[ ] immorellity
[ ] imorality
[ ] immorelity
7. Click the correct answer for the following definition.
The use of a thick-bodied paint to create sizable peaks and crests in an image
[ ] imparsto
[ ] impassto
[ ] impastow
[ ] impasto
8. Click the correct answer for the following definition.
Relating to or associated with an empire
[ ] imperial
[ ] imperiele
[ ] imperiul
[ ] imperiel
9. Click the correct answer for the following definition.
The policy of forcefully extending a nation's authority by territorial gain
[ ] imperiulisum
[ ] imperielisam
[ ] imperielism
[ ] imperialism
10. Click the correct answer for the following definition.
To make something up or invent it as one goes on
[ ] improuvise
[ ] improvise
[ ] impravise
[ ] imprevise

You can find more about this topic by visiting BBC Bitesize - Spelling

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Spelling Quiz - Words beginning with il... (Answers)
1. Click the correct answer for the following definition.
Anything that seems to be something that it is not
[ ] ilusiun
[ ] ilusion
[ ] ilusien
[x] illusion
The words "illusion" and "illusory" are related
2. Click the correct answer for the following definition.
Used in literature to refer to descriptive language that evokes sensory experience
[ ] imagerry
[ ] imajary
[ ] immagery
[x] imagery
If you can spell "image", "imagery" should be simple!
3. Click the correct answer for the following definition.
Existing only in the imagination
[ ] imajinary
[ ] imaginerry
[x] imaginary
[ ] imaginery
Don't be caught out by the a of the fourth syllable!
4. Click the correct answer for the following definition.
A person who comes into and permanently settles in one country after moving from another
[x] immigrant
[ ] immergrant
[ ] imigrant
[ ] immigrunt
The words "immigrate" and "immigrant" are related
5. Click the correct answer for the following definition.
Deliberately violating accepted principles of right and wrong
[ ] imoral
[ ] immorell
[ ] immorel
[x] immoral
Adding the prefix im- to "moral" creates its antonym
6. Click the correct answer for the following definition.
The quality of not being in accord with standards of right or good conduct
[x] immorality
[ ] immorellity
[ ] imorality
[ ] immorelity
If you can spell "immoral", you will have a good head start with "immorality"
7. Click the correct answer for the following definition.
The use of a thick-bodied paint to create sizable peaks and crests in an image
[ ] imparsto
[ ] impassto
[ ] impastow
[x] impasto
"Impasto" has been borrowed from Italian
8. Click the correct answer for the following definition.
Relating to or associated with an empire
[x] imperial
[ ] imperiele
[ ] imperiul
[ ] imperiel
Whereas "empire" begins with an e, "imperial" begins with an i
9. Click the correct answer for the following definition.
The policy of forcefully extending a nation's authority by territorial gain
[ ] imperiulisum
[ ] imperielisam
[ ] imperielism
[x] imperialism
The words "imperial" and "imperialism" are related
10. Click the correct answer for the following definition.
To make something up or invent it as one goes on
[ ] improuvise
[x] improvise
[ ] impravise
[ ] imprevise
Sometimes the word "improvise" is shortened to "improv"
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