EnglishAges 16-18

Classical prefixes & number roots

Decode classical Greek and Latin numerical prefixes and roots across technical vocabulary. Review suitability for your learners before teaching.

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Worksheet StudioPractice pack · Ages 16-18

Classical prefixes & number roots

Take your time. Show your thinking.

1. What does the prefix “deca-” (as in “decade” and “decagon”) mean: ten or one hundred?
“deca-” · “decade” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
2. What does the Greek root “-phobia” or “-phobic” (as in “hydrophobic”) mean: fear of / repelled by, or fondness for?
“-phobia” · “-phobic” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
3. What does the prefix “bi-” or “di-” (as in “bicycle” and “dioxide”) mean: two or ten?
“bi-” · “di-” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
4. What does the Latin prefix “inter-” (as in “international” and “interisland”) mean: between / among, or within?
“inter-” · “international” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
5. What does the Greek root “phil-” (as in “philanthropy” and “hydrophilic”) mean: loving / having an affinity for, or fearing?
“phil-” · “philanthropy” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
6. What does the Latin/Greek numerical prefix “uni-” or “mono-” (as in “unicycle” and “monochrome”) mean: one (single) or many?
“uni-” · “mono-” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
7. What does the Latin prefix “circum-” or Greek “peri-” (as in “circumference” and “perimeter”) mean: around or through?
“circum-” · “peri-” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
8. What does the Greek prefix “hypo-” (as in “hypothermia” and “hypodermic”) mean: under / below normal, or above?
“hypo-” · “hypothermia” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
9. What does the Latin root “luc-” or “lum-” (as in “translucent” and “luminous”) mean: light or heavy?
“luc-” · “lum-” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
10. What does the Greek prefix “hyper-” (as in “hyperactive” and “hyperthermia”) mean: over / excessive, or under / below?
“hyper-” · “hyperactive” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
11. What does the Greek prefix “hepta-” (or Latin “sept-”) mean in geometry: seven or nine?
“hepta-” · “sept-” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
12. What does the prefix “tri-” (as in “triangle” and “tripod”) mean: three or four?
“tri-” · “triangle” · Classical prefixes & numbe…

12 questions · Seed 104729 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification

View the answer key

Worksheet StudioAnswer key · Ages 16-18

Classical prefixes & number roots

Answers and reasoning. Review before teaching.

1. What does the prefix “deca-” (as in “decade” and “decagon”) mean: ten or one hundred?
Ten
A decade is ten years and a decagon has ten sides.
2. What does the Greek root “-phobia” or “-phobic” (as in “hydrophobic”) mean: fear of / repelled by, or fondness for?
Fear of / repelled by
Greek phobos means fear or aversion (hydrophobic molecules repel water).
3. What does the prefix “bi-” or “di-” (as in “bicycle” and “dioxide”) mean: two or ten?
Two
Latin “bi-” and Greek “di-” mean two.
4. What does the Latin prefix “inter-” (as in “international” and “interisland”) mean: between / among, or within?
Between / among
“Inter-” means between or among two or more groups.
5. What does the Greek root “phil-” (as in “philanthropy” and “hydrophilic”) mean: loving / having an affinity for, or fearing?
Loving / having an affinity for
Greek philos means loving or attracted to (hydrophilic = water-loving).
6. What does the Latin/Greek numerical prefix “uni-” or “mono-” (as in “unicycle” and “monochrome”) mean: one (single) or many?
One (single)
Both Latin “uni-” and Greek “mono-” mean one or single.
7. What does the Latin prefix “circum-” or Greek “peri-” (as in “circumference” and “perimeter”) mean: around or through?
Around
Both “circum-” and “peri-” mean around (measuring the boundary around a shape).
8. What does the Greek prefix “hypo-” (as in “hypothermia” and “hypodermic”) mean: under / below normal, or above?
Under / below normal
“Hypo-” is the antonym of “hyper-” and means under or below.
9. What does the Latin root “luc-” or “lum-” (as in “translucent” and “luminous”) mean: light or heavy?
Light
Latin lux / lumen means light.
10. What does the Greek prefix “hyper-” (as in “hyperactive” and “hyperthermia”) mean: over / excessive, or under / below?
Over / excessive
“Hyper-” means above, beyond or excessive.
11. What does the Greek prefix “hepta-” (or Latin “sept-”) mean in geometry: seven or nine?
Seven
A heptagon is a seven-sided polygon.
12. What does the prefix “tri-” (as in “triangle” and “tripod”) mean: three or four?
Three
“Tri-” comes from Latin and Greek words for three.

12 questions · Seed 104729 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification

Worksheet StudioPractice pack · Ages 16-18

Classical prefixes & number roots

Take your time. Show your thinking.

1. What does the prefix “deca-” (as in “decade” and “decagon”) mean: ten or one hundred?
“deca-” · “decade” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
2. What does the Greek root “-phobia” or “-phobic” (as in “hydrophobic”) mean: fear of / repelled by, or fondness for?
“-phobia” · “-phobic” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
3. What does the prefix “bi-” or “di-” (as in “bicycle” and “dioxide”) mean: two or ten?
“bi-” · “di-” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
4. What does the Latin prefix “inter-” (as in “international” and “interisland”) mean: between / among, or within?
“inter-” · “international” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
5. What does the Greek root “phil-” (as in “philanthropy” and “hydrophilic”) mean: loving / having an affinity for, or fearing?
“phil-” · “philanthropy” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
6. What does the Latin/Greek numerical prefix “uni-” or “mono-” (as in “unicycle” and “monochrome”) mean: one (single) or many?
“uni-” · “mono-” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
7. What does the Latin prefix “circum-” or Greek “peri-” (as in “circumference” and “perimeter”) mean: around or through?
“circum-” · “peri-” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
8. What does the Greek prefix “hypo-” (as in “hypothermia” and “hypodermic”) mean: under / below normal, or above?
“hypo-” · “hypothermia” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
9. What does the Latin root “luc-” or “lum-” (as in “translucent” and “luminous”) mean: light or heavy?
“luc-” · “lum-” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
10. What does the Greek prefix “hyper-” (as in “hyperactive” and “hyperthermia”) mean: over / excessive, or under / below?
“hyper-” · “hyperactive” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
11. What does the Greek prefix “hepta-” (or Latin “sept-”) mean in geometry: seven or nine?
“hepta-” · “sept-” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
12. What does the prefix “tri-” (as in “triangle” and “tripod”) mean: three or four?
“tri-” · “triangle” · Classical prefixes & numbe…

12 questions · Seed 104729 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification

Worksheet StudioAnswer key · Ages 16-18

Classical prefixes & number roots

Answers and reasoning. Review before teaching.

1. What does the prefix “deca-” (as in “decade” and “decagon”) mean: ten or one hundred?
Ten
A decade is ten years and a decagon has ten sides.
2. What does the Greek root “-phobia” or “-phobic” (as in “hydrophobic”) mean: fear of / repelled by, or fondness for?
Fear of / repelled by
Greek phobos means fear or aversion (hydrophobic molecules repel water).
3. What does the prefix “bi-” or “di-” (as in “bicycle” and “dioxide”) mean: two or ten?
Two
Latin “bi-” and Greek “di-” mean two.
4. What does the Latin prefix “inter-” (as in “international” and “interisland”) mean: between / among, or within?
Between / among
“Inter-” means between or among two or more groups.
5. What does the Greek root “phil-” (as in “philanthropy” and “hydrophilic”) mean: loving / having an affinity for, or fearing?
Loving / having an affinity for
Greek philos means loving or attracted to (hydrophilic = water-loving).
6. What does the Latin/Greek numerical prefix “uni-” or “mono-” (as in “unicycle” and “monochrome”) mean: one (single) or many?
One (single)
Both Latin “uni-” and Greek “mono-” mean one or single.
7. What does the Latin prefix “circum-” or Greek “peri-” (as in “circumference” and “perimeter”) mean: around or through?
Around
Both “circum-” and “peri-” mean around (measuring the boundary around a shape).
8. What does the Greek prefix “hypo-” (as in “hypothermia” and “hypodermic”) mean: under / below normal, or above?
Under / below normal
“Hypo-” is the antonym of “hyper-” and means under or below.
9. What does the Latin root “luc-” or “lum-” (as in “translucent” and “luminous”) mean: light or heavy?
Light
Latin lux / lumen means light.
10. What does the Greek prefix “hyper-” (as in “hyperactive” and “hyperthermia”) mean: over / excessive, or under / below?
Over / excessive
“Hyper-” means above, beyond or excessive.
11. What does the Greek prefix “hepta-” (or Latin “sept-”) mean in geometry: seven or nine?
Seven
A heptagon is a seven-sided polygon.
12. What does the prefix “tri-” (as in “triangle” and “tripod”) mean: three or four?
Three
“Tri-” comes from Latin and Greek words for three.

12 questions · Seed 104729 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification