Prefixes Vocabulary Exercises: Level B1-B2 (with Answers)

⏱ Time: 07:30 📝 Questions: 15 📊 Level: B1, B2 📚 Type: Vocabulary ⭐ XP: up to +16 (on pass)

Can you use Prefixes correctly in everyday English? These 15 practice questions for Level B1-B2 go beyond memorisation — they put vocabulary concepts into realistic sentences and situations. Detailed explanations help you understand not just the what, but the why.

⏱ You have 07:30 to answer 15 questions. The timer only starts when you click Begin.

Q1  15
Q1 15

Question 1: What does the prefix 'mis-' mean?

Question 1 options
'Wrongly' is correct because 'mis-' indicates something done incorrectly or badly, as in 'misunderstand' or 'misfire'. 'Against' is the meaning of 'anti-', 'before' belongs to 'pre-', and 'not' fits 'un-' or 'in-'.
Q2 15

Question 2: She felt the manager had ___ her report, changing its meaning completely.

Question 2 options
'Misrepresented' is correct because the prefix 'mis-' means 'wrongly', and 'misrepresent' means to describe or present something inaccurately. 'Overrepresented', 'represented', and 'underrepresented' do not carry the sense of distorting meaning.
Q3 15

Question 3: The prefix 'pre-' means 'after', so 'preview' means to view something after it happens.

Question 3 options
False because 'pre-' means 'before', not 'after'. A 'preview' is a viewing of something before it is officially released or shown.
Q4 15

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

Question 4 options
'Remarkable' is the closest synonym because 'extraordinary' means going beyond what is ordinary or usual, which aligns with 'remarkable'. 'Ordinary' is actually the opposite, 'familiar' means well-known, and 'standard' means normal or average.
Q5 15

Question 5: Match each prefix to its correct meaning.

Question 5 options
anti-
inter-
micro-
fore-
small
between
against, opposing
before

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

'Anti-' means against, 'inter-' means between, 'micro-' means small, and 'fore-' means before. These are all common English prefixes with distinct meanings.
Q6 15

Question 6: Which word naturally goes with the idea of activities that happen outside the regular school curriculum?

Question 6 options
'Extracurricular' is correct because the prefix 'extra-' means 'beyond' and the word specifically describes activities beyond the standard curriculum. 'Supernatural', 'extraordinary', and 'extravagant' do not collocate with the concept of school activities.
Q7 15

Question 7: A: 'Why did she get the dates wrong?' B: 'She must have ___ the schedule and thought the meeting was next week.'

Question 7 options
'Misread' is correct because the prefix 'mis-' means 'wrongly', so 'misread' means to read something incorrectly. 'Reread' means to read again, 'overread' is not a standard word, and 'unread' means not yet read.
Q8 15

Question 8: The new policy will ___ the damage caused by years of poor investment in local infrastructure.

Question 8 options
'Undo' is correct because the prefix 'un-' can mean to reverse an action, making 'undo' the precise word for reversing damage. 'Redo' means to do again, 'outdo' means to surpass, and 'overdo' means to do too much — none carry the meaning of reversing past harm.
Q9 15

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

Question 9 options
  • The prefix de-
  • is used to reverse
  • of the root word.
  • or remove the meaning

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

The correct order is: 'The prefix de- is used to reverse or remove the meaning of the root word.' This follows standard English sentence structure with subject, verb, and object clause.
Q10 15

Question 10: The scientist used a ___ to examine the tiny cells in the tissue sample.

Question 10 options
'Microscope' is the most natural and precise word here because 'micro-' means small and a microscope is an instrument used to view very small objects. 'Microwave' cooks food, 'microfilm' stores documents, and 'microphone' captures sound — none are used for examining cells.
Q11 15

Question 11: Which word would be most appropriate in a formal academic essay about global communication networks?

Question 11 options
'Interconnected' is the most formal and academically appropriate choice because 'inter-' means 'between' and the word precisely describes systems linked across boundaries. 'Mixed up', 'linked together', and 'joined up' are informal or informal phrasal expressions unsuitable for academic writing.
Q12 15

Question 12: The doctor said his condition was ___, meaning it could not be cured with current treatments.

Question 12 options
'Irreversible' is correct because the prefix 'ir-' (a form of 'in-') means 'not', and 'irreversible' means cannot be reversed or undone. 'Incredible' means unbelievable, 'irregular' means uneven or inconsistent, and 'irresponsible' means not responsible — none describe an uncurable medical condition.
Q13 15

Question 13: The word 'antibiotic' uses the prefix 'anti-' correctly, as it refers to a substance that works against bacteria.

Question 13 options
True because 'anti-' means 'against' or 'opposing', and an antibiotic is a medicine designed to fight and destroy bacteria. The prefix is used accurately in this word.
Q14 15

Question 14: The government decided to ___ the old industrial area and turn it into a park, removing all signs of its former use.

Question 14 options
'Redevelop' is not the best fit; 'decommission' could work but 'defrost' does not apply. 'Demolish' while tempting, 'decontaminate' is the most precise because 'de-' means to undo or remove, and decontaminating means removing harmful substances — but among the given choices, 'deregulate' means to remove regulations, 'demotivate' means to reduce motivation, and 'decontaminate' precisely means to remove pollution or harmful material from an area.
Q15 15

Question 15: The report described a ___ approach, meaning the plan covered several different countries working together. What does '___ ' mean in this context?

Question 15 options
'Between or among nations' is correct. 'Multinational' uses 'multi-' meaning many, but 'inter-' in 'international' specifically means 'between', indicating cooperation across national borders. The other options — within one country, above national level, and before nationhood — do not match the meaning of 'inter-'.