Prefixes

The magician made the rabbit disappear. What did the prefix 'dis-' do to the meaning of the word 'appear'?

• It made the action happen again.

• It created the opposite meaning.

• It described how the action was done.

• It meant the action happened before.

Answer explanation

The prefix 'dis-' often means 'not' or 'the opposite of.' Adding it to 'appear' creates 'disappear,' which means the opposite of appearing.

Match each numerical prefix to its meaning.

• One

• bi-

• Two

• mono-

• Three

• tri-

Answer explanation

These prefixes are derived from Greek and Latin to indicate numbers: 'mono-' means one (like in monorail), 'bi-' means two (like in bicycle), and 'tri-' means three (like in triangle).

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

Groups:

(a) Against

,

(b) Before

,

(c) Again

• antifreeze

• pregame

• replay

• rewrite

• preview

• antisocial

Answer explanation

The prefix 'anti-' means against, 'pre-' means before, and 're-' means again. The words are sorted based on which of these meanings their prefix provides.

If a company has international business, where does it operate?

• Only within one country

• Between or among different countries

• Outside of all countries

• Above all other countries

Answer explanation

The prefix 'inter-' means 'between' or 'among.' Therefore, 'international' business is business conducted between different nations.

Match each root word to the prefix that creates a word meaning 'not' or 'the opposite of.'

• dis-

• ...agree

• il-

• ...legal

• im-

• ...possible

Answer explanation

The prefixes 'im-', 'il-', and 'dis-' all create negative or opposite meanings. 'im-' is used before 'possible', 'il-' before 'legal', and 'dis-' before 'agree'.

The prefix 'sub-' in words like *submarine* and *subterranean* describes a position. Which prefix has the OPPOSITE meaning?

• super-

• trans-

• circum-

• co-

Answer explanation

The prefix 'sub-' means 'under' or 'below,' as in a submarine (under the sea) or subterranean (under the ground). The opposite prefix is 'super-,' which means 'above' or 'over,' as in superstructure (a structure built on top of something else) or supersonic (faster than the speed of sound).

Sort these words by whether their prefix means 'Not/Opposite Of' or 'Wrongly/Badly.'

Groups:

(a) Not/Opposite Of

,

(b) Wrongly/Badly

• misjudge

• disagree

• misspell

• unhappy

• mistreat

• inactive

Answer explanation

Prefixes like 'un-', 'in-', and 'dis-' typically mean 'not' or indicate an opposite. The prefix 'mis-' means 'wrongly' or 'badly.'

My friend's story didn't make sense, and I thought it was completely illogical. What does the prefix 'il-' tell you about the story's logic?

• It had extra logic.

• It was about logic.

• It had no logic.

• It had the wrong kind of logic.

Answer explanation

The prefix 'il-', a form of 'in-', means 'not.' Therefore, an 'illogical' story is one that is not logical.

Match each prefix to its general meaning.

• Good / Well

• trans-

• Around

• circum-

• Across / Beyond

• bene-

Answer explanation

These prefixes have distinct meanings: 'bene-' means good (benefit), 'circum-' means around (circumnavigate), and 'trans-' means across (transport).

The prefix 'semi-' means 'half' or 'partly'. In which sentence is the word *semiconscious* used correctly?

• After the fall, he was *semiconscious* for a few moments, aware of his surroundings but unable to move or speak.

• The artist drew a *semiconscious* to represent the rising sun.

• The *semiconscious* of the game was the most exciting part, with both teams scoring.

• Because the student was *semiconscious*, the teacher gave him only half of the homework.

Answer explanation

The prefix 'semi-' means 'half' or 'partly'. To be 'semiconscious' means to be only partly conscious or aware. This is the only sentence where the word is used correctly to describe a state of partial awareness following an injury.