Week 21 • Level C • Linguistic Key & Guide
-al vs. -ple • Double <-ss-> Roots • Suffix <-sion> • Dictation Sentences
Answer Key & Dictation
| # |
Word |
Pronunciation / IPA |
Structure |
Orthographic & Teaching Notes |
| 1 |
prin•ci•ple |
prĭn′sə-pəl /ˈprɪn.sə.pəl/ |
prin • ci • ple |
Fundamental rule/law of conduct; memory: 'A principle is a rule (-le)' |
| 2 |
prin•ci•pal |
prĭn′sə-pəl /ˈprɪn.sə.pəl/ |
prin • ci • pal |
Head of a school or chief; memory: 'The principal is your pal' |
| 3 |
phys•ic•al |
fĭz′ĭ-kəl /ˈfɪz.ɪ.kəl/ |
phys • ic • al |
Greek root phys (nature/body); ph says /f/; suffix -al |
| 4 |
de•cide |
dĭ-sīd′ /dɪˈsaɪd/ |
de • cide |
Prefix de- + cide (to cut); soft c says /s/; split vowel-e |
| 5 |
de•cid•ed |
dĭ-sī′dĭd /dɪˈsaɪ.dɪd/ |
de • cid • ed |
Base decide + past tense suffix -ed (says /ɪd/) |
| 6 |
de•ci•sion |
dĭ-sĭzh′ən /dɪˈsɪʒ.ən/ |
de • ci • sion |
Base decide + suffix -sion; -de drops, -sion says /ʒən/ |
| 7 |
oc•ca•sion |
ə-kā′zhən /əˈkeɪ.ʒən/ |
oc • ca • sion |
Double c (oc- + ca); open ca- says long /ā/; -sion says /ʒən/ |
| 8 |
suc•cess |
sək-sĕs′ /səkˈsɛs/ |
suc • cess |
Double c (first /k/, second /s/ before e); double ss |
| 9 |
suc•ceed |
sək-sēd′ /səkˈsiːd/ |
suc • ceed |
Double c; vowel team ee says long /ē/; to accomplish goals |
| 10 |
pro•fes•sion |
prə-fĕsh′ən /prəˈfɛʃ.ən/ |
pro • fes • sion |
Prefix pro- + fess + -sion (says /ʃən/ after s) |
| 11 |
pro•fes•sor |
prə-fĕs′ər /prəˈfɛs.ər/ |
pro • fes • sor |
Prefix pro- + fess + Latin agent suffix -or says /ər/ |
| 12 |
pos•sess |
pə-zĕs′ /pəˈzɛs/ |
pos • sess |
Double ss in both syllables; first ss says /z/, second says /s/ |
| 13 |
pro•gress |
prō′grĕs /ˈproʊ.ɡrɛs/ |
pro • gress |
Prefix pro- + root gress (to step/advance); double ss |
| 14 |
dis•cuss |
dĭ-skŭs′ /dɪˈskʌs/ |
dis • cuss |
Prefix dis- + cuss (to strike/shake); double ss after short /ŭ/ |
| 15 |
dis•cus•sion |
dĭ-skŭsh′ən /dɪˈskʌʃ.ən/ |
dis • cus • sion |
Base discuss + suffix -sion (says /ʃən/ after s) |
| H |
principal |
prĭn′sə-pəl /ˈprɪn.sə.pəl/ |
prin • ci • pal |
Head of school / chief; ends in -pal ('your pal') |
| H |
principle |
prĭn′sə-pəl /ˈprɪn.sə.pəl/ |
prin • ci • ple |
Fundamental truth or moral rule; ends in -ple ('rule') |
Suffix <-sion>
decision
occasion
profession
discussion
Double <-ss-> & <-ceed>
success
succeed
possess
progress
discuss
decide & professor
decide
decided
professor
<-al> & <-ple> Terms
principle
principal
physical
Exercise 3 Homophones Key: a. principal • b. principle • c. principal / principle
“The school principal explained the core principle of honesty to every student.”
“After much discussion, we decided to make a firm decision on this special occasion.”
“The college professor will succeed in her chosen profession with hard work.”
“To make progress and achieve success, athletes must maintain physical strength and discuss their goals.”