Prefixes

In the word 'unhappy', what does the prefix 'un-' mean?

• Again

• Not

• Before

• Full of

Answer explanation

The prefix 'un-' means 'not' or 'the opposite of'. It changes the word 'happy' to its opposite, 'unhappy'.

Match each prefix to its correct meaning.

• Across or beyond

• sub-

• Under or below

• trans-

• Between or among

• inter-

Answer explanation

The prefix 'inter-' means between (e.g., international), 'trans-' means across (e.g., transport), and 'sub-' means under (e.g., submarine).

My little brother's story about a flying dog didn't make sense; it was completely _____.

• illogical

• prelogical

• bilogical

• postlogical

Answer explanation

The prefix 'il-' is a form of 'in-', meaning 'not'. An illogical story is one that is not based on logic or sound reasoning. The other prefixes do not fit the context.

Sort these words based on the meaning of their prefix into the categories: 'Against' or 'Before'.

Groups:

(a) Against

,

(b) Before

• antibiotic

• preview

• pretest

• prejudge

• antidote

• antisocial

Answer explanation

The prefix 'anti-' means 'against', while the prefix 'pre-' means 'before'. Each word is sorted into the category that matches its prefix's meaning.

Adding the prefix 'mis-' to the word 'interpret' changes its meaning to...

• interpret again.

• interpret before.

• interpret wrongly.

• interpret with others.

Answer explanation

The prefix 'mis-' means 'wrongly' or 'badly'. Therefore, to misinterpret something is to understand or explain it incorrectly.

Match each root word to the prefix that correctly makes it mean 'not' or 'the opposite of'.

• ir-

• agree

• im-

• regular

• dis-

• possible

Answer explanation

Different root words require different negative prefixes. 'dis-' is used with 'agree' (disagree), 'im-' with 'possible' (impossible), and 'ir-' with 'regular' (irregular).

The new train line travels under the city, so it is called a _____.

• superway

• interway

• subway

• transway

Answer explanation

The prefix 'sub-' means 'under' or 'below'. A subway is a transportation system that runs under the ground. The other prefixes do not fit this meaning.

If you 'reread' a book, you read it again. If you 'preview' a movie, you...

• view it against others.

• view it wrongly.

• view it before it's released.

• view it with others.

Answer explanation

This question contrasts the prefix 're-' (again) with 'pre-' (before). To preview something means to see or view it beforehand.

Sort these words into two groups based on their prefix meaning: 'Together/With' or 'Wrongly/Badly'.

Groups:

(a) Together/With

,

(b) Wrongly/Badly

• malfunction

• mistreat

• misbehave

• cooperate

• coexist

• copilot

Answer explanation

The prefix 'co-' means 'together' or 'with'. The prefixes 'mal-' and 'mis-' both mean 'wrongly' or 'badly'.

Which word describes an activity, like a school club, that is outside of the normal school curriculum?

• intracurricular

• extracurricular

• subcurricular

• postcurricular

Answer explanation

The prefix 'extra-' means 'outside' or 'beyond'. An extracurricular activity is one that falls outside the regular course of study.