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.

New variation Try interactive challenge Browse templates

Choose “Save as PDF” to keep a copy. Use your browser’s paper setting for A4 or Letter.

Worksheet StudioPractice pack · Ages 16-18

Classical prefixes & number roots

Take your time. Show your thinking.

1. What does the Greek root “phil-” (as in “philanthropy” and “hydrophilic”) mean: loving / having an affinity for, or fearing?
“phil-” · “philanthropy” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
2. What does the prefix “semi-” or “hemi-” (as in “semicircle” and “hemisphere”) mean: half or double?
“semi-” · “hemi-” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
3. What does the Greek prefix “penta-” (as in “pentagon” and “pentathlon”) mean: five or eight?
“penta-” · “pentagon” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
4. What does the Greek prefix “hexa-” (as in “hexagon”) mean: six or seven?
“hexa-” · “hexagon” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
5. What does the prefix “tri-” (as in “triangle” and “tripod”) mean: three or four?
“tri-” · “triangle” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
6. What does the prefix “bi-” or “di-” (as in “bicycle” and “dioxide”) mean: two or ten?
“bi-” · “di-” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
7. What does the Latin root “luc-” or “lum-” (as in “translucent” and “luminous”) mean: light or heavy?
“luc-” · “lum-” · 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 Greek root “morph” (as in “metamorphosis” and “morphology”) mean: form or shape, or sound?
“morph” · “metamorphosis” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
10. What does the Latin root “ver-” (as in “verify”, “verdict” and “veracity”) mean: truth or speed?
“ver-” · “verify” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
11. 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…
12. What does the Latin prefix “circum-” or Greek “peri-” (as in “circumference” and “perimeter”) mean: around or through?
“circum-” · “peri-” · Classical prefixes & numbe…

12 questions · Seed 43 · 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 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).
2. What does the prefix “semi-” or “hemi-” (as in “semicircle” and “hemisphere”) mean: half or double?
Half
Latin “semi-” and Greek “hemi-” both mean half.
3. What does the Greek prefix “penta-” (as in “pentagon” and “pentathlon”) mean: five or eight?
Five
“Penta-” comes from the Greek pente, meaning five.
4. What does the Greek prefix “hexa-” (as in “hexagon”) mean: six or seven?
Six
“Hexa-” comes from the Greek hex, meaning six.
5. What does the prefix “tri-” (as in “triangle” and “tripod”) mean: three or four?
Three
“Tri-” comes from Latin and Greek words for three.
6. What does the prefix “bi-” or “di-” (as in “bicycle” and “dioxide”) mean: two or ten?
Two
Latin “bi-” and Greek “di-” mean two.
7. What does the Latin root “luc-” or “lum-” (as in “translucent” and “luminous”) mean: light or heavy?
Light
Latin lux / lumen means light.
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 Greek root “morph” (as in “metamorphosis” and “morphology”) mean: form or shape, or sound?
Form or shape
Greek morphe means form or shape.
10. What does the Latin root “ver-” (as in “verify”, “verdict” and “veracity”) mean: truth or speed?
Truth
Latin verus means true; to verify is to establish the truth or accuracy of something.
11. 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.
12. 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).

12 questions · Seed 43 · 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 Greek root “phil-” (as in “philanthropy” and “hydrophilic”) mean: loving / having an affinity for, or fearing?
“phil-” · “philanthropy” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
2. What does the prefix “semi-” or “hemi-” (as in “semicircle” and “hemisphere”) mean: half or double?
“semi-” · “hemi-” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
3. What does the Greek prefix “penta-” (as in “pentagon” and “pentathlon”) mean: five or eight?
“penta-” · “pentagon” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
4. What does the Greek prefix “hexa-” (as in “hexagon”) mean: six or seven?
“hexa-” · “hexagon” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
5. What does the prefix “tri-” (as in “triangle” and “tripod”) mean: three or four?
“tri-” · “triangle” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
6. What does the prefix “bi-” or “di-” (as in “bicycle” and “dioxide”) mean: two or ten?
“bi-” · “di-” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
7. What does the Latin root “luc-” or “lum-” (as in “translucent” and “luminous”) mean: light or heavy?
“luc-” · “lum-” · 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 Greek root “morph” (as in “metamorphosis” and “morphology”) mean: form or shape, or sound?
“morph” · “metamorphosis” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
10. What does the Latin root “ver-” (as in “verify”, “verdict” and “veracity”) mean: truth or speed?
“ver-” · “verify” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
11. 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…
12. What does the Latin prefix “circum-” or Greek “peri-” (as in “circumference” and “perimeter”) mean: around or through?
“circum-” · “peri-” · Classical prefixes & numbe…

12 questions · Seed 43 · 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 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).
2. What does the prefix “semi-” or “hemi-” (as in “semicircle” and “hemisphere”) mean: half or double?
Half
Latin “semi-” and Greek “hemi-” both mean half.
3. What does the Greek prefix “penta-” (as in “pentagon” and “pentathlon”) mean: five or eight?
Five
“Penta-” comes from the Greek pente, meaning five.
4. What does the Greek prefix “hexa-” (as in “hexagon”) mean: six or seven?
Six
“Hexa-” comes from the Greek hex, meaning six.
5. What does the prefix “tri-” (as in “triangle” and “tripod”) mean: three or four?
Three
“Tri-” comes from Latin and Greek words for three.
6. What does the prefix “bi-” or “di-” (as in “bicycle” and “dioxide”) mean: two or ten?
Two
Latin “bi-” and Greek “di-” mean two.
7. What does the Latin root “luc-” or “lum-” (as in “translucent” and “luminous”) mean: light or heavy?
Light
Latin lux / lumen means light.
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 Greek root “morph” (as in “metamorphosis” and “morphology”) mean: form or shape, or sound?
Form or shape
Greek morphe means form or shape.
10. What does the Latin root “ver-” (as in “verify”, “verdict” and “veracity”) mean: truth or speed?
Truth
Latin verus means true; to verify is to establish the truth or accuracy of something.
11. 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.
12. 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).

12 questions · Seed 43 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification