Look at the words: action, addition, subtraction, payment. Which word does NOT have -tion?
- addition
- action
- payment (correct answer)
- subtraction
Explanation: This question tests decoding words with common Latin suffixes (CCSS.RF.3.3.b: Decode words with common Latin suffixes). Students must recognize Latin suffix patterns and decode them using phonics knowledge. Latin suffixes are word endings added to base words or roots that create new words. Common 3rd grade Latin suffixes include: -tion/-sion (sounds like /shun/, means act or process: action, division), -able/-ible (sounds like /uh-bul/, means can be: readable, possible), -ment (sounds like /ment/, means result of: movement, excitement), -ous/-ious (sounds like /us/, means full of: curious, dangerous), -ity/-ty (sounds like /ih-tee/ or /tee/, means state of: activity, safety), -al (sounds like /ul/, means relating to: musical, natural), -ive (sounds like /iv/, means tending to: active, creative). To decode these words, students identify the suffix, recognize its sound, and blend it with the base word or root. In this question, the words action, addition, subtraction, and payment are examined for the suffix -tion. The word payment does not have the suffix -tion; it ends with -ment, which sounds like /ment/. Choice C is correct because payment does not end with the Latin suffix -tion, unlike the others which are pronounced with /shun/. Students can decode this by recognizing the absence of the -tion pattern. Choice A is incorrect because addition ends with -tion, which is a Latin suffix. This error occurs when students don't recognize Latin suffix patterns or confuse similar suffixes. To help students: Create suffix anchor charts showing common Latin suffixes with pronunciation guide (-tion = /shun/, -able = /uh-bul/, -ment = /ment/, -ous = /us/, -ity = /tee/, -al = /ul/, -ive = /iv/). Practice word building: Start with base/root (act, read, move, care), add suffixes (action, readable, movement, careful), pronounce each part then blend. Use color coding to highlight suffix in words. Teach syllable division strategy: Find the suffix, separate it from base, decode each part, blend together. Group words by suffix family for pattern recognition. Practice with word sorts (sort by suffix type). Provide explicit phonics instruction for each suffix sound before expecting decoding. Watch for: Students who don't recognize suffix patterns, mispronounce suffixes (saying /tee-on/ for -tion instead of /shun/), confuse similar suffixes (-able vs -ible), or can't identify where base ends and suffix begins. Build automaticity with frequent practice reading suffix words in context and isolation.