Lesson 9
Exercise 1 • Build It: Adding Suffixes
4 Review the spelling rules for adding suffixes in the Appendix of the Student Text.
4 Read the words and suffixes in each table below.
4 Combine parts to build words.
4 Spell the words on the lines below the table.
4 Code each word with the spelling rule you used to add the suffix:
(a) The Doubling Rule (b) Drop e (c) Change y (d) no rule
236
1.
drowsy
loud
proud
-est
2.
adequate
moderate
separate
-ly
3.
operate
illustrate
estimate
-ing
4.
colony
memory
fertile
-ize
5.
permit
emit
expire
-ed
Unit 23 • Lesson 9
© 2009 by Sopris West Educational Services.
Lesson 9
Exercise 2 • Answering Multiple-Choice and Open-Ended
Comprehension Questions
4 Read the following selection. Then, use the selection to answer the questions below.
Diamonds in Technology
Consider the brilliant, sparkling diamonds that you see in fine jewelry. These
natural diamonds were formed by tremendous pressures about 75 to 120 miles below the
Earth’s surface more than 45 million years ago. Today, scientists can create diamonds
in the laboratory in a matter of days. Most of these diamonds are not made to be worn,
rather they are created for their practical uses in technology.
What makes the substance of diamond so special that scientists work to create it in
their laboratories? First, diamond is the hardest substance known. A diamond can scratch
any surface, but nothing else can scratch it. Diamond can also conduct heat and sound
better than any other material. This means that heat and sound waves can travel easily
through diamond. Music sounds better when it is heard through speakers with diamond
membranes. While diamonds are very efficient at conducting heat and sound, they don’t
conduct electricity well. This means that diamond can be used as an insulator to prevent
electricity from traveling from one place to another. Diamond is also clear. Because it is
clear and also hard, diamond can be used as a strong coating to protect surfaces. Finally,
diamond won’t break down when mixed with any other chemical.
Scientists have been experimenting with these special qualities of diamond for over
fifty years. Someday soon, you may wear sunglasses coated with diamond. You might
also look at a computer screen that has a diamond coating. The computer’s memory
might also be stored on a diamond instead of silicon microchips. The sunglasses will be
scratch-proof. The computer screen will be brighter. The computer will run faster and
stay cooler. Diamonds are not just beautiful. They are also an important to the future
development of technology.
(continued)
© 2009 by Sopris West Educational Services.
Unit 23 • Lesson 9
237
Unit 23 • Lesson 9
Exercise 2 (continued) • Answering Multiple-Choice and OpenEnded Comprehension Questions
4 Read each question and the answer choices.
4 Fill in the bubble for the correct answer.
1. Read this sentence from the passage.
Because it is clear and also hard, diamond can be used as a strong coating
to protect surfaces.
Which word is an antonym for the underlined word?
A finish
B guard
C destroy
D cover
2. The word prevent contains the Latin prefix meaning
A after.
B through.
C across.
D before.
3. The main idea of this passage is that diamond
A can be made in laboratories and is used in technology.
B is the hardest substance known to man and nothing can scratch it.
C can be used to coat computer screens and sunglasses.
D conducts heat and sound better than any other material.
(continued)
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Unit 23 • Lesson 9
© 2009 by Sopris West Educational Services.
Unit 23 • Lesson 9
Exercise 2 (continued) • Answering Multiple-Choice and
Open-Ended Comprehension Questions
4. Based on the information in this passage, we can say that diamond
A will be used as a heat insulator in the future.
B breaks down when mixed with chemicals.
C will be used more in the future.
D conducts electricity.
5. Which of these is an opinion from this passage?
A Diamond is the hardest substance.
B Diamond conducts heat and sound.
C Diamonds are beautiful.
D Diamonds can scratch any surface.
6. Explain the value of diamond in technology. Include at least two examples to support
your answer. Use evidence from the text.
© 2009 by Sopris West Educational Services.
Unit 23 • Lesson 9
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