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 Latin prefix “intra-” (as in “intranet” and “intracellular”) mean: within / inside one group or cell, or between different countries?
“intra-” · “intranet” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
2. What does the prefix “bi-” or “di-” (as in “bicycle” and “dioxide”) mean: two or ten?
“bi-” · “di-” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
3. What does the Greek prefix “hyper-” (as in “hyperactive” and “hyperthermia”) mean: over / excessive, or under / below?
“hyper-” · “hyperactive” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
4. What does the Greek root “-phobia” or “-phobic” (as in “hydrophobic”) mean: fear of / repelled by, or fondness for?
“-phobia” · “-phobic” · 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 prefix “octa-” or “octo-” (as in “octagon” and “octopus”) mean: eight or ten?
“octa-” · “octo-” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
7. What does the Latin prefix “omni-” (as in “omnivore” and “omniscient”) mean: all (everything) or half?
“omni-” · “omnivore” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
8. What does the Greek prefix “penta-” (as in “pentagon” and “pentathlon”) mean: five or eight?
“penta-” · “pentagon” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
9. What does the Greek prefix “poly-” or Latin “multi-” (as in “polygon” and “multilingual”) mean: many or none?
“poly-” · “multi-” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
10. What does the Greek prefix “hypo-” (as in “hypothermia” and “hypodermic”) mean: under / below normal, or above?
“hypo-” · “hypothermia” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
11. What does the prefix “semi-” or “hemi-” (as in “semicircle” and “hemisphere”) mean: half or double?
“semi-” · “hemi-” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
12. What does the Greek root “morph” (as in “metamorphosis” and “morphology”) mean: form or shape, or sound?
“morph” · “metamorphosis” · Classical prefixes & numbe…

12 questions · Seed 46 · 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 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.
2. What does the prefix “bi-” or “di-” (as in “bicycle” and “dioxide”) mean: two or ten?
Two
Latin “bi-” and Greek “di-” mean two.
3. 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.
4. 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).
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 prefix “octa-” or “octo-” (as in “octagon” and “octopus”) mean: eight or ten?
Eight
“Octa-” / “octo-” means eight.
7. 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.
8. What does the Greek prefix “penta-” (as in “pentagon” and “pentathlon”) mean: five or eight?
Five
“Penta-” comes from the Greek pente, meaning five.
9. What does the Greek prefix “poly-” or Latin “multi-” (as in “polygon” and “multilingual”) mean: many or none?
Many
Both “poly-” and “multi-” mean many or multiple.
10. 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.
11. 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.
12. 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.

12 questions · Seed 46 · 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 Latin prefix “intra-” (as in “intranet” and “intracellular”) mean: within / inside one group or cell, or between different countries?
“intra-” · “intranet” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
2. What does the prefix “bi-” or “di-” (as in “bicycle” and “dioxide”) mean: two or ten?
“bi-” · “di-” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
3. What does the Greek prefix “hyper-” (as in “hyperactive” and “hyperthermia”) mean: over / excessive, or under / below?
“hyper-” · “hyperactive” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
4. What does the Greek root “-phobia” or “-phobic” (as in “hydrophobic”) mean: fear of / repelled by, or fondness for?
“-phobia” · “-phobic” · 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 prefix “octa-” or “octo-” (as in “octagon” and “octopus”) mean: eight or ten?
“octa-” · “octo-” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
7. What does the Latin prefix “omni-” (as in “omnivore” and “omniscient”) mean: all (everything) or half?
“omni-” · “omnivore” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
8. What does the Greek prefix “penta-” (as in “pentagon” and “pentathlon”) mean: five or eight?
“penta-” · “pentagon” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
9. What does the Greek prefix “poly-” or Latin “multi-” (as in “polygon” and “multilingual”) mean: many or none?
“poly-” · “multi-” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
10. What does the Greek prefix “hypo-” (as in “hypothermia” and “hypodermic”) mean: under / below normal, or above?
“hypo-” · “hypothermia” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
11. What does the prefix “semi-” or “hemi-” (as in “semicircle” and “hemisphere”) mean: half or double?
“semi-” · “hemi-” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
12. What does the Greek root “morph” (as in “metamorphosis” and “morphology”) mean: form or shape, or sound?
“morph” · “metamorphosis” · Classical prefixes & numbe…

12 questions · Seed 46 · 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 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.
2. What does the prefix “bi-” or “di-” (as in “bicycle” and “dioxide”) mean: two or ten?
Two
Latin “bi-” and Greek “di-” mean two.
3. 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.
4. 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).
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 prefix “octa-” or “octo-” (as in “octagon” and “octopus”) mean: eight or ten?
Eight
“Octa-” / “octo-” means eight.
7. 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.
8. What does the Greek prefix “penta-” (as in “pentagon” and “pentathlon”) mean: five or eight?
Five
“Penta-” comes from the Greek pente, meaning five.
9. What does the Greek prefix “poly-” or Latin “multi-” (as in “polygon” and “multilingual”) mean: many or none?
Many
Both “poly-” and “multi-” mean many or multiple.
10. 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.
11. 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.
12. 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.

12 questions · Seed 46 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification