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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 Latin/Greek numerical prefix “uni-” or “mono-” (as in “unicycle” and “monochrome”) mean: one (single) or many?

    “uni-” · “mono-” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
  2. 2. What does the Greek prefix “hypo-” (as in “hypothermia” and “hypodermic”) mean: under / below normal, or above?

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

    “anthrop-” · “anthropology” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
  4. 4. What does the Greek prefix “hyper-” (as in “hyperactive” and “hyperthermia”) mean: over / excessive, or under / below?

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

    “omni-” · “omnivore” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
  6. 6. 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…
  7. 7. What does the prefix “octa-” or “octo-” (as in “octagon” and “octopus”) mean: eight or ten?

    “octa-” · “octo-” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
  8. 8. What does the Latin root “luc-” or “lum-” (as in “translucent” and “luminous”) mean: light or heavy?

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

    “hexa-” · “hexagon” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
  10. 10. What does the Greek prefix “penta-” (as in “pentagon” and “pentathlon”) mean: five or eight?

    “penta-” · “pentagon” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
  11. 11. What does the Latin root “ver-” (as in “verify”, “verdict” and “veracity”) mean: truth or speed?

    “ver-” · “verify” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
  12. 12. What does the prefix “deca-” (as in “decade” and “decagon”) mean: ten or one hundred?

    “deca-” · “decade” · Classical prefixes & numbe…
12 questions · Seed 47 · 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 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.

  2. 2. 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.

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

    Human being

    Greek anthropos means human being.

  4. 4. 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.

  5. 5. 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.

  6. 6. 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.

  7. 7. What does the prefix “octa-” or “octo-” (as in “octagon” and “octopus”) mean: eight or ten?

    Eight

    “Octa-” / “octo-” means eight.

  8. 8. What does the Latin root “luc-” or “lum-” (as in “translucent” and “luminous”) mean: light or heavy?

    Light

    Latin lux / lumen means light.

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

    Six

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

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

    Five

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

  11. 11. 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.

  12. 12. 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.

12 questions · Seed 47 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification