KS3 spelling words beginning at bi

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

Tackle tricky KS3 spellings with words beginning bi-. Test how well you can spot patterns, fix mistakes and choose the correct spelling in different sentences.

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Fascinating Fact:

Beware of mixing bi- and bye-. Biceps and biscuit begin with bi-, while bye-bye uses bye. Think bi- for “two” or “double”, bye for “goodbye”.

In KS3 English Spelling, you meet many words that begin with bi-, such as bicycle, bilingual and bimonthly. The prefix often links to the idea of “two”, but not always, so learning meanings, patterns and example sentences together will strengthen both your spelling and your vocabulary.

Key Terms

Prefix: A set of letters added to the start of a word, like bi-, which can change or add to the meaning.
Root word: The main part of a word that carries the basic meaning, such as cycle in bicycle or lingual in bilingual.
Homophone: A word that sounds the same as another word but has a different spelling and meaning, like bye, buy and by.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

What does the prefix bi- usually mean in English words?

The prefix bi- often means “two” or “double”. For example, a bicycle has two wheels and a bilingual person uses two languages regularly in speech or writing.

How can I practise spelling KS3 words beginning bi-?

Make a short list of bi- words, say each one aloud, then write them in full sentences. Check spellings carefully and repeat until you can write them from memory.

What is the difference between bi-, by and bye in spelling?

Bi- is a prefix that joins to another word part, as in bicycle or bilingual. By is a common preposition, while bye is used in phrases like “say bye to your friends”.

Try These Related Quizzes

Click the correct answer for the following definition.
A muscle located on the upper arm

[ ]	biseps
[ ]	byseps
[ ]	bicepps
[ ]	biceps

Click the correct answer for the following definition.
A numerical system based on the use of two digits

[ ]	binary
[ ]	biniary
[ ]	bynary
[ ]	binery

Click the correct answer for the following definition.
Past tense of buy

[ ]	bought
[ ]	bort
[ ]	bourt
[ ]	baught

Click the correct answer for the following definition.
Present participle of brake

[ ]	breiking
[ ]	brayking
[ ]	breaking
[ ]	braking

Click the correct answer for the following definition.
A thing that has been broken

[ ]	breakage
[ ]	brakage
[ ]	breakige
[ ]	breakege

Click the correct answer for the following definition.
Of short duration

[ ]	brief
[ ]	briefe
[ ]	breif
[ ]	breef

Click the correct answer for the following definition.
Past tense and past participle of bring

[ ]	brort
[ ]	brought
[ ]	braught
[ ]	braut

Click the correct answer for the following definition.
The religion and philosophy founded by the Indian teacher Gautama Buddha

[ ]	Buddhism
[ ]	Budisem
[ ]	Budisam
[ ]	Budishm

Click the correct answer for the following definition.
A follower of the Indian religious and spiritual teacher, Buddha

[ ]	Buddhist
[ ]	Buddhiste
[ ]	Budist
[ ]	Buddist

10.

Click the correct answer for the following definition.
The ritual placing of a corpse in a grave

[ ]	buryial
[ ]	berrial
[ ]	buriale
[ ]	burial

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

Spelling Quiz - Words beginning with bi... (Answers)

Click the correct answer for the following definition.
A muscle located on the upper arm

[ ]	biseps
[ ]	byseps
[ ]	bicepps
[x]	biceps

"Bi" means "two". Can you guess what "ceps" means? Would you be surprised to know it comes from caput, the Latin word for "head"?

Click the correct answer for the following definition.
A numerical system based on the use of two digits

[x]	binary
[ ]	biniary
[ ]	bynary
[ ]	binery

Remember the second syllable of the word contains an a

Click the correct answer for the following definition.
Past tense of buy

[x]	bought
[ ]	bort
[ ]	bourt
[ ]	baught

If you can spell "ought", you can spell "bought"

Click the correct answer for the following definition.
Present participle of brake

[ ]	breiking
[ ]	brayking
[ ]	breaking
[x]	braking

Don't get "braking" mixed up with "breaking"!

Click the correct answer for the following definition.
A thing that has been broken

[x]	breakage
[ ]	brakage
[ ]	breakige
[ ]	breakege

Here's another one of those tricky -age spellings

Click the correct answer for the following definition.
Of short duration

[x]	brief
[ ]	briefe
[ ]	breif
[ ]	breef

The rule "i before e" works here

Click the correct answer for the following definition.
Past tense and past participle of bring

[ ]	brort
[x]	brought
[ ]	braught
[ ]	braut

If you can spell "ought" and "bought", you will have no trouble with "brought"

Click the correct answer for the following definition.
The religion and philosophy founded by the Indian teacher Gautama Buddha

[x]	Buddhism
[ ]	Budisem
[ ]	Budisam
[ ]	Budishm

If you can remember where the h comes in "Buddha", you won't forget its place in "Buddhism"