Quiz-Tree
Question 1
The prefix in- means "not," as in invisible. Before b, m, or p, it becomes im-, as in imbalance. What does in-/im- mean?
"in-" means "not." Before b, m, or p it becomes "im-." In invisible, "in-" negates visible. In imbalance, "im-" negates balance.
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Answer question 1 to unlock
The prefix sub- appears in subtract and submerge. What does sub- mean?
"sub-" means "under" or "below." In subtract, it combines with a root meaning "to draw" to describe taking something out from under a total. In submerge, it describes going under the surface.
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Answer question 2 to unlock
The prefix hypo- appears in hypothesis. The root -thesis means "a placing" or "a position." How does hypo- shape the meaning of hypothesis?
"hypo-" means "under." In hypothesis, it combines with -thesis (a placing) to describe a proposition placed underneath as a foundation — an assumption not yet proven, upon which further investigation rests.
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Answer question 3 to unlock
The word subordinate contains the prefix sub-. The root -ordin- relates to "order" or "rank." How does sub- shape the meaning of subordinate?
"sub-" means "under" or "below." In subordinate, it combines with a root meaning "rank" to describe someone or something positioned below another in order or authority.
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Answer question 4 to unlock
The prefix in- appears in intractable. The root -tract- means "to draw" or "to handle." What does intractable most likely mean?
"in-" means "not." Combined with -tractable (manageable, from a root meaning "to handle"), intractable means "not manageable" — describing a problem or person that resists all attempts to handle or resolve it.
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Answer question 5 to unlock
The prefix hypo- appears in hypocrisy. The root -crit- comes from a Greek word meaning "to judge" or "to decide." Which best describes what hypo- contributes here?
In hypocrisy, "hypo-" carries the meaning "beneath" or "hidden." The original Greek word described a stage actor who performed from beneath a mask. A hypocrite presents a different character on the surface than what lies underneath. This is a subtler sense of "hypo-" than the straightforward "below a level" in hypothesis.
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Answer question 6 to unlock
The prefix syn- appears in synergy. The root -erg- comes from a Greek word meaning "work." What does synergy most likely mean?
"syn-" means "together." Combined with -erg- (work), synergy means "working together" — the idea that combined effort produces a result greater than the sum of its parts.
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Answer question 7 to unlock
The prefix syn- means "together," as in synchronize. Before b, m, or p, it becomes sym-, as in symmetry. What does syn-/sym- mean?
"syn-" means "together." Before b, m, or p it becomes "sym-." In synchronize, "syn-" describes events happening together in time. In symmetry, "sym-" describes equal arrangement on both sides together.
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Answer question 8 to unlock
The prefix circum- appears in circumnavigate — to navigate all the way around something. What does circum- mean?
"circum-" means "around." In circumnavigate, it combines with navigate to describe traveling all the way around something — as in circumnavigating the globe.
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Answer question 9 to unlock
The prefix circum- appears in circumlocution. The root -locut- means "to speak." What does circumlocution most likely mean?
"circum-" means "around." Combined with -locut- (to speak), circumlocution means "speaking around" — using excessive or indirect words to avoid saying something plainly.
correct answers
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