What does rational mean?
Word: Rational
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Rational means based on clear thinking and good reasons, not on feelings alone.
Synonyms: sensible, reasonable
How do you spell rational?
Syllables: ra - tion - al
Tricky part: The middle sounds like shun, so students write rashional or rasional. The sh sound is spelt with a t and an i.
Watch out for: rashional, rasional
Memory tip: Think of station and nation: in all three words the sh sound is written ti.
Rational in a sentence
Example 1: Grandpa gave a rational answer when we asked why he saves a little money each month.
Example 2: Scientists look for a rational explanation before they accept a strange claim.
Example 3: Try to stay rational, even when a match gets tense.
Fun Fact
Rational comes from the Latin ratio, meaning reckoning or reason, which also gave mathematics the word ratio.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Makeup
Choose the prefix that completes the word:
___rational
a) un
b) il
c) ir
d) in
Show answer
c) ir. Before a word starting with r, the negative prefix becomes ir-, as in irregular.
Word Connection
Choose the synonym of the word:
rational
a) careless
b) emotional
c) hasty
d) logical
Show answer
d) logical. Both words describe a choice made by careful thought; emotional, hasty and careless choices are not.
Word Cookie
Find the extra letter in the word:
rationnal
a) l
b) n
c) a
d) t
Show answer
b) n. Only one n comes after the o in this word.
Spell-o-Spell
Choose the incorrectly spelt word:
a) factual
b) careful
c) thorough
d) rationel
Show answer
d) rationel. Like musical and practical, this adjective ends in -al.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which of these is the most rational way to choose a new phone?
a) pick the one in the brightest box
b) take the first one on the shelf
c) compare prices and features first
d) buy whatever a cartoon advert shows
Show answer
c) compare prices and features first
2. When a plan goes wrong, a rational person will usually ____.
a) give up on the plan straight away
b) think calmly about what to try next
c) act on the first idea that pops up
d) rush to blame somebody else for it
Show answer
b) think calmly about what to try next
