Quiz-Tree
Question 1
The suffix -ify appears in rectify. The root rect-
comes from Latin meaning "right" or "straight." What does rectify
most likely mean?
"-ify" means "to make or cause to become." Rectify = to
make right or straight — to correct something that was wrong. The root
rect- appears in related words: rectangle (a
straight-cornered shape) and correct (to make right together).
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Answer question 1 to unlock
The word clarify contains the suffix -ify. How does
-ify shape the meaning of this word?
"-ify" converts nouns and adjectives into verbs meaning "to make
or cause to become." Clarify = to make clear. The suffix works
similarly to "-ize" (modernize), but the forms are not
interchangeable: we say clarify, not clarize; modernize,
not modernify.
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Answer question 2 to unlock
The suffix -ist appears in protagonist. The roots
prot- (first) and agon- (contest or struggle) come from
Greek. What does protagonist most likely mean?
"-ist" marks a person who performs or engages in something.
Protagonist = the one (prot- = first) who contends
(agon- = struggle or contest) — the leading figure in a story or
conflict. Compare antagonist (one who contends against).
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Answer question 3 to unlock
The suffix -ism appears in solipsism. The root combines
Latin solus (alone) and ipse (self). What does
solipsism most likely mean?
"-ism" marks a belief or doctrine. Solipsism = the
philosophical belief that only one's own mind can be known with certainty —
rooted in the idea of the self (solus = alone; ipse =
self) as the only undeniable reality.
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Answer question 4 to unlock
The suffix -er appears in words like teacher and
writer. With many verbs borrowed from Latin, the same suffix
appears as -or, as in actor and narrator.
What does this suffix mean?
"-er" and "-or" both mark a word as a noun naming the
person who performs an action. Teacher = one who teaches;
actor = one who acts. The form "-or" tends to appear with
verbs borrowed from Latin (act → actor), while "-er"
tends to appear with Germanic-rooted verbs (teach → teacher).
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Answer question 5 to unlock
The word prioritize contains the suffix -ize. Which
statement best describes what -ize contributes to this word?
"-ize" converts nouns into verbs meaning "to make or cause."
Prioritize = to make something a top priority — to order tasks by
importance. The pattern is the same as in modernize (to make
modern) and emphasize (to give emphasis to).
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Answer question 6 to unlock
The word error ends in -or. A student reasons that since
-or means "one who performs an action," error must refer
to a person who makes mistakes. What is wrong with this reasoning?
Not every "-or" ending is the agent suffix. Error comes
from Latin error (straying, mistake), where "-or" marks
the noun as an act or state — not a person. When "-or" is a true
agent suffix, there is a clear verb beneath it: act → actor,
narrate → narrator. Error means the mistake itself, not
the person who makes it.
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Answer question 7 to unlock
The word modernize contains the suffix -ize. In British
English, the same suffix is often spelled -ise, as in
modernise — both spellings carry the same meaning. How does
-ize shape the meaning of modernize?
"-ize" converts nouns and adjectives into verbs meaning "to make,
cause, or become." Modernize = to make modern or bring up to date.
The British spelling "-ise" carries the same meaning:
modernise.
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Answer question 8 to unlock
The suffix -ism appears in words like realism and
skepticism. What does this suffix mean?
"-ism" forms nouns naming a belief, doctrine, or practice.
Realism = the belief that things should be seen as they are;
skepticism = the practice of questioning accepted claims. The
suffix is often paired with "-ist": realism/realist,
optimism/optimist.
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Answer question 9 to unlock
The suffix -ist appears in words like realist and
optimist. What does this suffix mean?
"-ist" forms nouns naming the person who holds a belief or engages
in a practice. Realist = one who holds to realism;
optimist = one who practices optimism. "-ist" also names
specialists: botanist (one who studies plants), pianist
(one who plays piano).
correct answers
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