通過改變單詞的前綴或后綴可以使單詞的意思或詞性發生變化。比如，更改詞的后綴可以把這個單詞從名詞變成動詞或者形容詞，甚至再變回名詞。這是一個非常實用的語言技巧。下面的六個題會幫助你更好地理解單詞的前后綴及其用法。

1. The suffix '-proof' adds the meaning ‘protected against’. Which of these is not a common use of ‘-proof’?

a) Waterproof

b) Bulletproof

c) Foolproof

d) Metalproof

2. The suffix ‘-phobe’ adds the meaning ‘a person who fears something’ – for example an arachnophobe is a person who fears spiders. But what would a lover of spiders be called?

a) arachnophile

b) arachnoamor

c) arachnolove

d) arachno-holic

3. In many cases a prefix added to a word gives it the opposite meaning, for example happy and unhappy. However, in some cases, prefixes can be misleading. All but one of these pairs of words have the same meaning. Which pair does not have the same meaning?

a) flammable and inflammable

b) press and depress

c) habitable and inhabitable

d) valuable and invaluable

4. English has several suffixes which mean ‘having a quality close to…’ Which of these suffixes cannot be used in this way? 

a) ‘-ly’ My horse is not exactly quick…more like quickly.

b) ‘esque’ Well, it’s no Kafka, but I’ll admit that it’s Kafkaesque.

c) ‘y’ It’s not fruity, but it’s quite fruity!

d) ‘ish’ You are acting like a child. Don’t be so childish.

5. Many prefixes relate to the quantity or quality of something, which can be more than or less than. Which of these relates to being of greater quantity or quality?

a) ‘arch’ – archenemy

b) ‘micro’ - microchip

c) ‘sub’ – subpar

d) ‘under’ - undercooked

6. Several prefixes communicate a quantity in numbers, telling us how much or how many as well as the meaning of the root word. Which of these does not relate to a number?

a) ‘mono’ – I want to take the new monorail they have just built.

b) ‘tri’ – He’s going to be doing a triathlon this summer.

c) ‘poly’ – She’s a bit of a polyglot. She speaks so many languages.

d) ‘omni’ – Many humans are omnivores. They eat meat and vegetation.

1) d, 2) a, 3) d, 4) a, 5) a, 6) d.