L1: Exploring Prefixes: Dis-, Un-, Sub-

What is a prefix?

• A word that describes a noun

• Letters added to the beginning of a word to change its meaning

• A punctuation mark

• A type of verb

Answer explanation

A prefix is a group of letters added to the beginning of a word to change its meaning, such as 'un-' in 'undo'. This distinguishes it from other options like nouns or punctuation marks.

What does the prefix "dis-" mean?

• Above

• Not or opposite of

• Under or below

• Before

Answer explanation

The prefix 'dis-' means 'not' or 'opposite of', indicating negation or reversal. For example, 'disagree' means not agreeing. Therefore, the correct choice is 'Not or opposite of'.

What does the prefix "un-" mean?

• Not or opposite

• Again

• With

• After

Answer explanation

The prefix 'un-' means 'not' or 'opposite of', indicating negation. For example, 'happy' becomes 'unhappy', meaning 'not happy'. This makes 'not or opposite of' the correct choice.

What does the prefix "sub-" mean?

• Over

• Under or below

• Between

• Around

Answer explanation

The prefix 'sub-' means 'under or below,' indicating a position that is lower than or beneath something else. Therefore, the correct choice is 'Under or below.'

Which word has the prefix "dis-"?

• Unhappy

• Disagree

• Subway

• Subtract

Answer explanation

The word 'disagree' contains the prefix 'dis-', which indicates negation or reversal. The other options do not contain this prefix.

Which word uses the prefix "un-" correctly?

• Unkind

• Unsub

• Unsubway

• Untract

Answer explanation

The word 'unkind' uses the prefix 'un-' correctly, meaning not kind. The other options, like 'unsub' and 'unsubway', do not follow standard usage of the prefix, while 'untract' is not a recognized word.

Which word means "underwater"?

• Diswater

• Unwater

• Submarine

• Waterun

Answer explanation

The word 'submarine' comes from the Latin 'sub' meaning 'under' and 'marinus' meaning 'of the sea', thus directly translating to 'underwater'. The other options do not have this meaning.

Which word is made by adding "dis-" to "agree"?

• Disagree

• Disagreed

• Disagrees

• Disagreeing

Answer explanation

The correct word formed by adding 'dis-' to 'agree' is 'disagree'. The other options, 'disagreed', 'disagrees', and 'disagreeing', are different forms of the verb but do not represent the base form created by adding 'dis-'.

What does adding "un-" to "known" mean?

• It means "known again"

• It means "not known"

• It means "known before"

• It means "known under"

Answer explanation

Adding 'un-' to 'known' creates 'unknown', which means 'not known'. This negation indicates a lack of knowledge or familiarity with something, making 'not known' the correct interpretation.

Choose the sentence that correctly uses the prefix "sub-".

• The submarine explored the ocean depths.

• She was unhappy with her results.

• He disagreed with the decision.

• The dog was unkind to the cat.

Answer explanation

The correct sentence is 'The submarine explored the ocean depths.' because 'sub-' means 'under' or 'below,' and a submarine operates underwater. The other sentences use prefixes unrelated to 'sub-.'