De Prefix Mini Quiz (B1-B2)

⏱ Time: 02:30 📝 Questions: 15 📊 Level: B1, B2 📚 Type: Vocabulary ⭐ XP: up to +16 (on pass)

Check your understanding of De Prefix with this quick 5-question quiz. Designed as an embedded checkpoint at Level B1-B2 — instant feedback and short explanations help you spot weak areas.

⏱ You have 02:30 to answer 15 questions. The timer only starts when you click Begin.

Q1  15
Q1 15

Question 1: What does the word 'deactivate' mean?

Question 1 options
'Deactivate' means to make something stop working or switch it off. The prefix 'de-' reverses the action of 'activate', meaning to turn on or make active.
Q2 15

Question 2: The company decided to ___ its old headquarters and move all staff to a new building in the city centre.

Question 2 options
'Relocate' fits here because it means to move to a new place, which matches the context of moving staff to a new building. 'Depart' means to leave but doesn't imply moving an organisation. 'Detach' means to separate, and 'deflect' means to redirect, neither of which collocates naturally with a company and its headquarters.
Q3 15

Question 3: The word 'dehydrate' means to add more water or liquid to something.

Question 3 options
False. 'Dehydrate' means to remove water or lose water from something. The prefix 'de-' signals removal, so it is the opposite of adding liquid.
Q4 15

Question 4: Which word is closest in meaning to 'deteriorate'?

Question 4 options
'Decline' is closest in meaning to 'deteriorate' because both describe getting worse over time. 'Deprive' means to take something away, 'deflate' means to let air out, and 'detach' means to separate — none of these describe a gradual worsening.
Q5 15

Question 5: Match each 'de-' prefix word to its correct definition.

Question 5 options
demote
defuse
deplete
denounce
to lower someone to a less important position or rank
to reduce the danger or tension in a difficult situation
to reduce or use up a supply of something
to publicly state that someone or something is wrong or bad

Select an item on the left, then tap its match on the right.

'Demote' means to lower someone's rank; 'defuse' means to make a dangerous situation calm; 'deplete' means to use up a supply; 'denounce' means to publicly criticise or report someone.
Q6 15

Question 6: Which word naturally goes with the phrase \'___ a myth\' to mean proving that a widely held belief is false?

Question 6 options
\'Debunk\' collocates naturally with \'a myth\' and means to show that a belief or claim is false. \'Deflect\', \'depart\', and \'detain\' do not collocate with \'a myth\' and carry entirely different meanings.
Q7 15

Question 7: A: 'Why was the manager so upset with the new employee?' B: 'Because she spread false rumours about him and tried to ___ his reputation in front of the whole team.'

Question 7 options
'Defame' means to damage someone's reputation by saying false things about them, which fits the context of spreading false rumours. 'Deceive' means to trick someone, 'deprive' means to take something away, and 'delude' means to cause someone to believe something untrue about themselves.
Q8 15

Question 8: After weeks of heavy use, the natural resources in the area were completely ___. Only one of these words correctly describes resources being used up until almost nothing remains.

Question 8 options
'Depleted' is correct because it specifically describes a supply or resource being greatly reduced or used up. 'Degraded' means lowered in quality or status, 'detracted' means to take away value, and 'declined' is too general and does not carry the specific meaning of a resource being exhausted.
Q9 15

Question 9: Put the chunks in the correct order to form a natural English sentence:

Question 9 options
  • have pledged
  • to decarbonise
  • their energy systems by 2050
  • Governments around the world

Drag items or use arrows to arrange them in the correct order.

The correct order is: 'Governments around the world / have pledged / to decarbonise / their energy systems / by 2050.' This follows the standard subject + verb + infinitive + object + time phrase structure.
Q10 15

Question 10: The new traffic system is designed to ___ the flow of vehicles through the city centre during peak hours.

Question 10 options
'Decentralise' is the most natural and precise choice here because it means to distribute control or flow away from one central point, which fits the context of managing traffic. 'Decelerate' means to slow down, 'deflect' means to redirect, and 'devolve' means to pass power to a lower authority — none of these describe managing traffic flow as precisely.
Q11 15

Question 11: Which of the following words would be most appropriate in a formal written report about environmental policy?

Question 11 options
'Deforestation' is the most formal and precise term suitable for a written report on environmental policy. It refers specifically to the large-scale removal of forests. 'Declutter', 'de-stress', and 'defrost' are informal or domestic in register and would not appear in formal environmental policy writing.
Q12 15

Question 12: The transfer of power from central government to regional authorities is a form of political ___.

Question 12 options
Devolution is the noun form of the verb 'devolve,' referring to the transfer of power or responsibility to a lower level of authority.
Q13 15

Question 13: The word 'depreciate' is commonly used in formal and financial contexts to describe a decrease in the value of something over time.

Question 13 options
True. 'Depreciate' is a formal financial term that describes the reduction in value of an asset over time. It collocates with words like 'currency', 'property', and 'equipment' in professional and financial writing.
Q14 15

Question 14: The committee decided to ___ the use of single-use plastics, expressing strong formal disapproval in their official statement.

Question 14 options
'Deplore' is the most precise word here because it means to feel or express strong disapproval, especially in a formal context. 'Detest' is more personal and emotional, 'denounce' means to publicly accuse rather than simply express disapproval, and 'debate' means to discuss rather than disapprove.
Q15 15

Question 15: The report stated that prolonged lack of sleep can 'degrade' cognitive performance. What does 'degrade' mean in this context?

Question 15 options
'Degrade' in this context means to reduce the quality or effectiveness of something. It does not mean to embarrass someone (humiliate), to remove something entirely (eliminate), or to slow something down (decelerate).