Roots, Prefixes & Suffixes — Answer Key
Part A: Multiple Choice
Circle the best answer for each question.
1. The word "invisible" contains the prefix in- (not) and the root vis (see). What does invisible most likely mean?
A) Very easy to find
B) Not able to be seen
C) Seen from far away
D) Looked at carefully
'Invisible' contains 'in-' (not) + 'vis' (see) + '-ible' (able to be). So 'invisible' means 'not able to be seen.'
2. If the root struct means "build" and the prefix de- means "undo," what does the word "destruct" most likely mean?
A) To build something new
B) To tear down or destroy
C) To build again from scratch
D) To study building methods
'Destruct' contains 'de-' (undo/down) + 'struct' (build). To destruct means to tear down or destroy. Related words: destroy, destruction, destructive.
3. The word "transcontinental" combines trans- (across) and a root from "continent." What does transcontinental mean?
A) Under one continent
B) Near a continent
C) Crossing from one continent to another
D) Before continents existed
'Transcontinental' contains 'trans-' (across) + 'continental' (relating to continents). It means crossing or spanning across continents, as in a transcontinental railroad.
4. If the root dict means "say" and the prefix pre- means "before," what does the word "predict" mean?
A) To say something again loudly
B) To speak clearly to an audience
C) To say what will happen before it occurs
D) To disagree with what someone said
'Predict' contains 'pre-' (before) + 'dict' (say). To predict means to say what will happen before it actually occurs.
Part B: Fill in the Blank
Write the correct answer on each line.
1. The word "submarine" combines the prefix sub- (under) and the Latin root mare (sea), so it means a vessel that travels under the sea.
The prefix 'sub-' means 'under' or 'below.' A submarine is a vessel that travels beneath the water's surface.
2. Knowing that the root aud means "hear," you can figure out that an audition is a tryout where someone listens to a performer.
'Audition' contains 'aud' (hear). During an audition, someone performs so that others can hear and evaluate their abilities.
3. The word "transportation" combines the root port (carry) with the prefix trans- (across) and the suffix -ation, meaning the act of carrying something across a distance.
The Latin root 'port' means 'to carry.' Transportation involves carrying people or goods from one location to another.
4. If graph means "write" and auto means "self," then an autobiography is a life story written by the person it is about.
'Autobiography' contains 'auto-' (self) + 'bio' (life) + 'graph' (write). It is a life story written by the person themselves, unlike a biography written by someone else.
5. The prefix inter- means "between," so an international flight travels between two countries.
The prefix 'inter-' means 'between' or 'among.' International means between nations. Other examples: interact, interrupt, intercontinental.