MTEL Communication Literacy Skills : Reading Practice Test

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What is a primary meaning of the suffix -ous?

  1. Causing an effect

  2. Filled with or marked by

  3. Lacking in quality

  4. Implying a relationship

The correct answer is: Filled with or marked by

The suffix -ous commonly indicates that something is filled with or marked by a particular quality or characteristic. This formation allows the words it modifies to convey a sense of abundance or presence. For example, in the word "joyous," the suffix suggests that something is filled with joy. This reflects the inherent nature of -ous in transforming root words into adjectives that describe the presence of a specific attribute. In contrast, the other options represent meanings that the suffix -ous does not encompass. Some imply other relationships or qualities, such as causing an effect, lacking a particular quality, or implying a broader relationship, but these are not encapsulated by the -ous suffix itself. Understanding this primary meaning helps in recognizing how adjectives are formed in English and in determining or inferring the nature of new words encountered.

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