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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

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  1. 1. What does the Greek prefix “penta-” (as in “pentagon” and “pentathlon”) mean: five or eight?

    “penta-” · “pentagon” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
  2. 2. What does the Latin prefix “intra-” (as in “intranet” and “intracellular”) mean: within / inside one group or cell, or between different countries?

    “intra-” · “intranet” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
  3. 3. What does the Latin prefix “omni-” (as in “omnivore” and “omniscient”) mean: all (everything) or half?

    “omni-” · “omnivore” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
  4. 4. What does the Latin prefix “quadr-” or Greek “tetra-” (as in “quadrilateral” and “tetrahedron”) mean: four or six?

    “quadr-” · “tetra-” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
  5. 5. What does the Greek prefix “hexa-” (as in “hexagon”) mean: six or seven?

    “hexa-” · “hexagon” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
  6. 6. What does the Latin prefix “inter-” (as in “international” and “interisland”) mean: between / among, or within?

    “inter-” · “international” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
  7. 7. What does the Greek root “morph” (as in “metamorphosis” and “morphology”) mean: form or shape, or sound?

    “morph” · “metamorphosis” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
  8. 8. What does the Greek root “-phobia” or “-phobic” (as in “hydrophobic”) mean: fear of / repelled by, or fondness for?

    “-phobia” · “-phobic” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
  9. 9. What does the Greek root “phil-” (as in “philanthropy” and “hydrophilic”) mean: loving / having an affinity for, or fearing?

    “phil-” · “philanthropy” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
  10. 10. What does the Greek root “anthrop-” (as in “anthropology” and “philanthropy”) mean: human being or star?

    “anthrop-” · “anthropology” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
  11. 11. What does the Greek prefix “hepta-” (or Latin “sept-”) mean in geometry: seven or nine?

    “hepta-” · “sept-” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
  12. 12. What does the Latin root “cent-” (as in “century” and “centimetre”) mean: one hundred or one thousand?

    “cent-” · “century” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
12 questions · Seed 104731 · 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. 1. What does the Greek prefix “penta-” (as in “pentagon” and “pentathlon”) mean: five or eight?

    Five

    “Penta-” comes from the Greek pente, meaning five.

  2. 2. What does the Latin prefix “intra-” (as in “intranet” and “intracellular”) mean: within / inside one group or cell, or between different countries?

    Within / inside one group or cell

    “Intra-” means on the inside or within a single boundary.

  3. 3. What does the Latin prefix “omni-” (as in “omnivore” and “omniscient”) mean: all (everything) or half?

    All (everything)

    Latin omnis means all; an omnivore eats both plant and animal foods.

  4. 4. What does the Latin prefix “quadr-” or Greek “tetra-” (as in “quadrilateral” and “tetrahedron”) mean: four or six?

    Four

    Both “quadr-” and “tetra-” denote four.

  5. 5. What does the Greek prefix “hexa-” (as in “hexagon”) mean: six or seven?

    Six

    “Hexa-” comes from the Greek hex, meaning six.

  6. 6. 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.

  7. 7. What does the Greek root “morph” (as in “metamorphosis” and “morphology”) mean: form or shape, or sound?

    Form or shape

    Greek morphe means form or shape.

  8. 8. 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).

  9. 9. 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).

  10. 10. What does the Greek root “anthrop-” (as in “anthropology” and “philanthropy”) mean: human being or star?

    Human being

    Greek anthropos means human being.

  11. 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. 12. What does the Latin root “cent-” (as in “century” and “centimetre”) mean: one hundred or one thousand?

    One hundred

    Latin centum means one hundred (100 years in a century; 1/100 of a metre in a centimetre).

12 questions · Seed 104731 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification