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Quizzes > English & Grammar

Root Word Test: Spot Prefixes, Suffixes, and Base Meanings

Quick, free root word practice with instant results and simple explanations.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Kayvan AnsariUpdated Aug 24, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration for a root words quiz on a coral background

This root words quiz helps you identify prefixes, suffixes, and base meanings so you can break down unfamiliar words with confidence. After you finish, check out our greek and latin roots quiz and word origins quiz for extra practice, or go deeper with identify the root word.

What does the root 'bio' in 'biology' mean?
Animal
Life
Word
Earth
The root 'bio' is derived from the Greek 'bios' meaning life, which is why biology is the study of living organisms. It does not relate to earth or animal specifically. The term combines 'bio' (life) and 'logy' (study of).
In the word 'telephone', what does the prefix 'tele' signify?
Heat
Distance
Color
Sound
The prefix 'tele' comes from the Greek 't?le,' meaning 'far' or 'at a distance.' Hence, a telephone transmits sound over a long distance. It is not related to heat or color.
What does the suffix '-phobia' in 'arachnophobia' mean?
Fear of
One who does
Love of
Study of
The suffix '-phobia' is used to indicate an irrational fear or aversion to something. In 'arachnophobia,' it specifically refers to fear of spiders. It does not mean love or study.
In 'submarine', what does the prefix 'sub' mean?
Between
Above
On top
Under
The Latin prefix 'sub-' means 'under' or 'below.' A submarine operates beneath the surface of the water. It is not used to indicate 'between' or 'above.'
What is the meaning of the root 'spect' as seen in 'inspect'?
Carry
Write
Look
Speak
The root 'spect' comes from Latin 'specere,' meaning 'to look.' In 'inspect,' it refers to looking into something. It is unrelated to speaking or carrying.
In the word 'psychology', what does the suffix '-ology' denote?
Study of
One who does
Act of
Fear of
The suffix '-ology' is of Greek origin and means 'the study of.' Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. It does not imply fear or action.
What does the root 'chrono' in 'chronological' refer to?
Time
Color
Water
Sound
The Greek root 'chronos' means 'time.' Chronological order arranges events in the sequence they occurred over time. It is not related to water or color.
In 'autobiography', what does the prefix 'auto' mean?
Before
After
Self
Again
The prefix 'auto-' is from Greek and means 'self.' An autobiography is a self-written account of one's life. It does not mean 'again' or 'before.'
What does the root 'therm' in 'thermometer' signify?
Light
Heat
Sound
Color
The Greek root 'therm?' means 'heat.' A thermometer measures temperature or heat. It is not associated with light or sound.
In 'antibiotic', what does the prefix 'anti' denote?
Against
Before
Two
Love
The prefix 'anti-' is Greek for 'against' or 'opposite.' An antibiotic works against bacterial infections. It does not imply love or number.
What does the prefix 'neo' mean in 'neonatal'?
Night
People
Law
New
The prefix 'neo-' is derived from Greek meaning 'new.' 'Neonatal' refers to the period immediately after birth, which is new life. It does not relate to night or law.
Which root in 'transport' means 'to carry'?
spect
port
rupt
form
The root 'port' comes from Latin 'portare' meaning 'to carry.' In 'transport,' it refers to carrying across. 'Form' means shape, 'rupt' means break, and 'spect' means look.
In 'democracy', what does the suffix '-cracy' mean?
Fear
Study
Law
Rule
The suffix '-cracy' is Greek for 'rule' or 'government.' 'Democracy' literally means 'rule by the people.' It does not mean study or fear.
What does the root 'geo' in 'geology' refer to?
Fire
Water
Earth
Animals
The Greek root 'geo-' means 'earth.' Geology is the scientific study of the Earth. It is not related to animals, water, or fire specifically.
In 'panorama', what does the prefix 'pan' mean?
Few
Part
All
None
The prefix 'pan-' comes from Greek meaning 'all' or 'every.' A panorama shows an all-encompassing view. It does not mean part or few.
What does the suffix '-ism' mean in 'capitalism'?
Action or process
Doctrine or belief
Fear of
One who does
The suffix '-ism' denotes a system of belief, doctrine, or ideology. Capitalism refers to the economic doctrine favoring private ownership. It is not about fear or process.
In 'anthropology', what does the root 'anthropo' mean?
God
Animal
Plant
Human
The root 'anthropo' is from Greek 'anthropos' meaning 'human.' Anthropology is the study of humans. It is not related to animals or plants.
What does the prefix 'hyper' mean in 'hypertension'?
Under
Half
Between
Over or excessive
The prefix 'hyper-' means 'over,' 'excessive,' or 'above normal.' Hypertension is abnormally high blood pressure. It is not under or half.
In 'isometric', what does the root 'iso' refer to?
Large
Small
Same or equal
Different
The prefix 'iso-' is Greek for 'equal' or 'same.' In isometric exercises, muscle length remains the same. It does not denote difference.
What does the suffix '-phile' mean in 'bibliophile'?
Hater of
Writer of
Lover of
Fear of
The suffix '-phile' comes from Greek 'philos,' meaning 'loving' or 'fond of.' A bibliophile loves books. It does not mean fear or hate.
In 'epidermis', what does the prefix 'epi' mean?
Between
Under
Within
Upon
The prefix 'epi-' is Greek for 'upon' or 'over.' The epidermis is the outermost layer upon the dermis. It does not mean under or between.
What does the root 'graph' in 'autograph' imply?
Write
Speak
Draw
Move
The Greek root 'graph?' means 'writing.' An autograph is a person's own handwriting or signature. It is not about drawing or speaking.
In the word 'bicycle', what does the prefix 'bi' mean?
Two
Three
Four
One
The Latin prefix 'bi-' means 'two.' A bicycle has two wheels. It is not related to three or four.
What does the suffix '-nomy' mean in 'astronomy'?
Measure
Fear of
Law or system
Study of
The suffix '-nomy' comes from Greek 'nomos' meaning 'law' or 'system.' Astronomy is the study of celestial laws and systems. It does not directly mean 'study of' - that is '-ology.'
In 'oxymoron', what does the root 'oxy' mean?
Confusing
Foolish
Sharp
Dull
The Greek root 'oxys' means 'sharp' or 'keen.' An oxymoron pairs sharp contradictions for effect. It is unrelated to dullness or foolishness.
What does the root 'holo' mean in 'holocaust'?
Whole
Hide
Burn
Fire
The Greek root 'holos' means 'whole' or 'entire.' Historically, 'holocaust' referred to a whole burnt offering. Modern usage describes widespread destruction.
In 'kaleidoscope', what does 'scope' refer to?
Move
Hear
Write
Look or view
The Greek root 'skope?' means 'to look' or 'to examine.' A kaleidoscope allows you to view changing patterns. It has nothing to do with writing or hearing.
What is the meaning of 'thanato' in 'thanatology'?
Sleep
Life
Love
Death
The Greek root 'thanatos' means 'death.' Thanatology is the study of death and associated practices. It does not relate to sleep or love.
In 'xenophobia', what does the root 'xeno' mean?
Shape
Robot
Color
Foreign
The Greek root 'xenos' means 'foreign' or 'stranger.' Xenophobia is the fear or hatred of strangers or foreigners. It is not related to color or shape.
What does the suffix '-rrhea' imply in 'logorrhea'?
Flow or discharge
One who does
Study of
Fear of
The suffix '-rrhea' comes from Greek 'rhein,' meaning 'to flow.' Logorrhea denotes excessive flow of words or speech. It is not about fear or study.
In 'sesquipedalian', what does 'sesqui' mean?
Short
Complex
Small
One and a half
The Latin root 'sesqui-' means 'one and a half.' 'Sesquipedalian' describes long words (literally 'one and a half feet' long). It does not mean small or short.
What does the root 'morph' mean in 'anthropomorphism'?
Study
Animal
Human
Shape or form
The Greek root 'morph?' means 'shape' or 'form.' Anthropomorphism attributes human form to non-human entities. It is not about study or animals specifically.
What does the root 'pseudo' in 'pseudonym' mean?
True
False
Writer
Name
The Greek root 'pseud?s' means 'false.' A pseudonym is a false or fictitious name used by an author. It is not the actual name.
In 'bathymetry', what does 'bathy' refer to?
Length
Width
Depth
Height
The Greek root 'bathys' means 'deep' or 'depth.' Bathymetry is the measurement of ocean depths. It is unrelated to width or length.
In 'logomachy', what does the suffix 'machy' mean?
War or battle
Speech
Study of
Word
The Greek suffix '-machy' comes from 'mach?', meaning 'battle' or 'fight.' Logomachy refers to a battle of words or arguments. It is not about speech or study.
What does the root 'ochlo' mean in 'ochlocracy'?
Crowd or mob
Law
Elite
Foreign
The Greek root 'ochlos' means 'crowd' or 'mob.' Ochlocracy is rule by the mob or crowd. It is distinct from rule by law or elites.
In 'thermobaric', what does 'baric' signify?
Pressure
Heat
Speed
Weight
The Greek root 'baros' means 'weight' or 'pressure.' In 'thermobaric,' it refers to heat and pressure combined. It does not relate to speed.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify Common Prefixes, Suffixes, and Roots -

    Use the vocabulary root words test to pinpoint and name essential word parts in English.

  2. Analyze Word Meanings -

    Break down unfamiliar terms by their root components to infer definitions during the English root words quiz.

  3. Apply Root Knowledge -

    Leverage your understanding of root word meanings to ace the root words quiz questions and expand your vocabulary.

  4. Strengthen Vocabulary Retention -

    Reinforce and recall core word stems through interactive practice in the English root words quiz.

  5. Evaluate Word Origins -

    Assess the etymology of words by linking them to historical roots and components.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Core Latin and Greek Roots -

    As noted by Cambridge University Press, Latin and Greek roots form the backbone of over 60% of English vocabulary, making them essential in any root words quiz. For example, "spect" means "see," so "inspect" translates to "look into." Familiarity with these core stems lets you quickly learn root word meanings across thousands of terms.

  2. Common Prefixes and Their Roles -

    Purdue University's Online Writing Lab highlights that prefixes like un-, re-, and pre- can alter a word's meaning by indicating negation, repetition, or sequence. In an English root words quiz, spotting "replay" lets you know it means "play again." Using a quick mnemonic - re=repeat, un=undo - can speed up your prefix identification in any vocabulary root words test.

  3. Essential Suffixes Explained -

    The University of Texas at Austin's writing center explains that suffixes such as -able, -tion, and -ology modify word class and nuance, like "transportable" meaning "able to be moved." In a vocabulary root words test, recognizing -ology signals "study of," as in "biology." Remembering that -able means "capable of" can help you infer correct answers in any immediate root word practice questions.

  4. Strategy: Morphological Analysis -

    A study published in the Journal of Linguistic Research shows that breaking words into prefix, root, and suffix boosts comprehension by 30%. When facing a tricky term in a root words quiz, deconstruct "photograph" into "photo" (light) and "graph" (write) to uncover "light writing." This systematic breakdown is at the heart of effective English root words quizzes and vocabulary drills.

  5. Active Practice and Spaced Repetition -

    A 2018 Journal of Educational Psychology study finds that spaced repetition with root-based flashcards improves long-term retention by up to 50%. Incorporate daily root word practice questions with timed quizzes - like our free root words quiz - to strengthen recall. This enjoyable routine will help you learn root word meanings faster and master any vocabulary root words test with confidence.

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