Name______________________________________________________________
Date___________________________
Directions: Using context clues and prefixes/suffixes, it is possible to determine a word’s part of
speech without even knowing its definition. Read the following poem (“Jabberwocky” by Lewis
Carroll). Above each underlined word, write what you believe to be the word’s part of speech (e.g.
noun, verb, adjective, etc.). You may discuss your ideas and answers with your group members.
NOTE: there are additional questions on the back. (15 points)
Jabberwocky
'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe:
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.
'Beware the Jabberwock, my son!
The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!
Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun
The frumious Bandersnatch!'
He took his vorpal sword in hand:
Long time the manxome foe he sought -So rested he by the Tumtum tree,
And stood a while in thought.
And, as in uffish thought he stood,
The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame,
Came whiffling through the tulgey wood,
And burbled as it came!
One two! One two! And through and through
The vorpal blade went snicker-snack!
He left it dead, and with its head
He went galumphing back.
'And hast thou slain the Jabberwock?
Come to my arms, my beamish boy!
Oh frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!'
He chortled in his joy.
'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe:
All mimsy were the borogoves,
And the mome raths outgrabe.
Lewis Carroll
1. What part of speech is slithy? How do you know?
2. What part of speech is uffish? How do you know?
3. Because borogoves is plural, we know that it is which part of speech?
4. Because burbled is past tense, we know that it is which part of speech?
5. If Lewis Carroll can make up his own words, so can you! List your own made-up words
below, including 2 nouns, 2 adjectives, and two verbs.