Mastering Prefixes: A Quiz Adventure

Match the prefix to its meaning: Which prefix means "not" or "opposite of"?

• re-

• un-

• fore-

• de-

Answer explanation

The prefix 'un-' means 'not' or 'opposite of', making it the correct choice. For example, 'unhappy' means 'not happy'. The other prefixes have different meanings: 're-' means 'again', 'fore-' means 'before', and 'de-' means 'down' or 'away'.

Which prefix would you add to the word "possible" to make it mean "not possible"?

• re-

• pre-

• im-

• en-

Answer explanation

The prefix 'im-' is added to 'possible' to form 'impossible', which means 'not possible'. The other prefixes do not convey this negation.

What does the prefix "fore-" mean?

• before

• again

• not

• down

Answer explanation

The prefix 'fore-' means 'before', indicating something that occurs earlier in time or position. This makes 'before' the correct choice among the options provided.

Which of the following words contains a prefix that means "wrong" or "bad"?

• mislead

• replay

• enable

• preheat

Answer explanation

The word 'mislead' contains the prefix 'mis-', which means 'wrong' or 'bad'. The other options do not have prefixes with that meaning.

Fill in the blank: The prefix "de-" in the word "deactivate" means to ______.

• do again

• do before

• remove or reverse

• do wrong

Answer explanation

The prefix 'de-' means to remove or reverse an action. In 'deactivate', it indicates the action of making something inactive, thus the correct choice is 'remove or reverse'.

Break up the word "disapprove" into its morphemes.

• dis + approve

• disa + pprove

• disap + prove

• disappr + ove

Answer explanation

The word 'disapprove' can be broken down into two morphemes: 'dis-' (a prefix meaning 'not') and 'approve' (the root word). The correct choice is 'dis + approve', as it accurately reflects the morpheme structure.

Which of the following words uses the prefix "pre-" correctly?

• prewrite

• preplay

• preenable

• preunite

Answer explanation

The prefix 'pre-' means 'before.' 'Prewrite' correctly indicates writing that occurs before the main writing process. The other options do not commonly use 'pre-' in standard English, making 'prewrite' the correct choice.

Break up the word "enlarge" into its morphemes.

• en + large

• enl + arge

• enlar + ge

• enla + rge

Answer explanation

The word 'enlarge' can be broken down into two morphemes: 'en' (a prefix meaning to cause to) and 'large' (the root word). Therefore, the correct breakdown is 'en + large', making this the right choice.

Which prefix would you use to form a word meaning "not living," as in "abiotic"?

• re-

• a-

• mis-

• de-

Answer explanation

The prefix 'a-' means 'not' or 'without.' In the word 'abiotic,' it indicates 'not living.' The other prefixes do not convey this meaning, making 'a-' the correct choice.

Break up the word "irregular" into its morphemes.

• ir + regular

• irr + egular

• irreg + ular

• irregu + lar

Answer explanation

The word 'irregular' can be broken down into 'ir' (a prefix meaning 'not') and 'regular' (the base word). The correct morpheme breakdown is 'ir + regular', as it accurately reflects the components of the word.