Question 1
The prefix a- means "without" or "not," as in apathy. Before a vowel, it becomes an-, as in anarchy. What does a-/an- mean?
"a-" means "without" or "not." Before a vowel it becomes "an-." In apathy, "a-" negates pathy (feeling), producing "without feeling." In anarchy, "an-" negates archy (rule), producing "without rule."
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Answer question 1 to unlock
The prefix per- appears in permeate and pervade. What does per- most likely mean?
"per-" means "through." In permeate, it describes passing completely through a material. In pervade, it describes spreading through something in its entirety.
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Answer question 2 to unlock
The prefix super- means "over" or "above," as in supernatural. In words drawn from French, it takes the form sur-, as in surpass. What does super-/sur- most likely mean?
"super-" means "over" or "above." In supernatural, it describes something above or beyond the natural world. The variant "sur-" appears in French-origin words: in surpass, it describes going above another's level.
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Answer question 3 to unlock
The prefix mono- appears in monopoly. The root -poly comes from a Greek word meaning "to sell." How does mono- shape the meaning of monopoly?
"mono-" means "one." In monopoly, it combines with -poly (to sell) to describe a situation where a single entity has exclusive control over selling a good or service.
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Answer question 4 to unlock
The prefix mal- appears in maltreat. The root relates to "treat" or "handle." How does mal- shape the meaning of maltreat?
"mal-" means "bad" or "badly." In maltreat, it modifies treat to describe handling someone badly — causing harm or suffering.
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Answer question 5 to unlock
The prefix sur- appears in surreal. The root -real comes from a word meaning "actual" or "existing." Which best describes what sur- contributes here?
In surreal, "sur-" carries the extended meaning "beyond" rather than merely "above" in a physical sense. Combined with -real, it describes something that transcends ordinary reality — so strange or dreamlike that it feels beyond the real world. "super-"/"sur-" can mean "above" in a physical sense and "beyond" in a figurative one.
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Answer question 6 to unlock
The word asymmetrical contains the prefix a-. The root -symmetry refers to equal balance on both sides. How does a- shape the meaning of asymmetrical?
"a-" means "without." In asymmetrical, it negates symmetry to describe something that lacks balanced proportions — where the two sides do not match.
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Answer question 7 to unlock
The prefix per- appears in perspicacious. The root -spic- comes from a Latin word meaning "to see" or "to look." What does perspicacious most likely mean?
"per-" here carries the intensive meaning "thoroughly." Combined with -spic- (to see), perspicacious means "seeing thoroughly" — having sharp, penetrating perception that grasps what others overlook.
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Answer question 8 to unlock
The prefix mono- appears in monolithic. The root -lith means "stone." What does monolithic most likely mean?
"mono-" means "one." Combined with -lith (stone), monolithic literally means "like a single large stone." It describes anything — an organization, a culture, an argument — that is vast, uniform, and resistant to change.
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Answer question 9 to unlock
The prefix mal- appears in malfeasance. The root -feas- comes from a Latin word meaning "to do" or "to perform." What does malfeasance most likely mean?
"mal-" means "bad" or "wrong." Combined with -feas- (to do), malfeasance means "doing wrong" — specifically, wrongful or illegal conduct by someone in a position of public trust or authority.
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