ATI TEAS PRACTICE TEST English and Language Usage

Which of the following types of language are not appropriate in a research paper? A. colloquialisms B. contractions C. relative pronouns D. both A and B

D. Research papers are formal exercises that should not include several types of speech used in informal spoken settings. - Colloquialisms are non-standard forms of language such as "ain't," or stand, like "dude." - Contractions represent the words as they sound in speech, so "do not" is formal whereas "don't" is informal. - Relative pronouns are necessary in grammar. - In the phrase "The boy who I met...," "who" is a relative pronoun.

Which of the following words correctly fills in the blank in the sentence below? The Bill of Rights protects the right to arms, but one common mistake is to spell this as though the founding fathers were ensuring the right to sleeveless. A. bear B. bare C. barre D. baire

A. The form bear is correct in this context, because it suggest the right to carry or own arms. The form bare indicates an uncovered limb. - The word barre is the French form of bar, and is typically used to describe a ballet barre where dancers train. - The word baire is an alternative colloquial form that refers to a mosquito net in some parts of the United States.

What is the most effective way to combine the two sentences below? Some members of the Sons of Liberty constructed a paper obelisk. An obelisk is the same shape as the Washington Monument. A. Some members of the Sons of Liberty constructed a paper obelisk, which is the same shape as the Washington Monument. B. Some members of the Sons of Liberty constructed a paper obelisk which is the same shape as the Washington Monument. C. Some members of the Sons of Liberty constructed a paper obelisk, t

A. A comma should be used to separate the independent clause beginning with some members from the non-essential phrase beginning with which is. - Choices B is incorrect because it is missing the comma. - Choice C is incorrect because it incorrectly uses that instead of which. - Choice D is incorrect because it uses a semicolon instead of a comma.

Which of the following demonstrates correct punctuation? A. Graham still needs the following items for his class: a sable brush, soft pastels, a sketchbook, and an easel. B. Graham still needs the following items for his class, a sable brush, soft pastels, a sketchbook, and an easel. C. Graham still needs the following items for his class: a sable brush; soft pastels; a sketchbook; and an easel. D. Graham still needs the following items for his class - a sable brush; soft pastels; a sketchboo

A. Answer choice A includes all of the correct elements of punctuation needed to make this sentence clear and readable. In particular, there is a colon after the phrase "the following items for his class"; this indicates that a series of items will be listed. As these items do not contain internal commas, they may be separated by commas, so the rest of the punctuation in answer choice A is correct. - Answer choice B uses a comma instead of a colon in front of the introductory phrase, making the series of items difficult to distinguish. - Answer choice C uses semicolons instead of comas between the items the series. The semicolons are not necessary, and make the sentence more confusing to rad instead of clearer. - Answer choice D uses a dash, which is not a correct way to correct way to introduce a series of items.

What is the most effective way to combine the two sentences below? A lot of teens express themselves through fashion. Since many teens start earning their own money, they can buy their own clothes and choose the fashions that they want. A. A lot of teens express through fashion, and since many teens start earning their own money, they can buy their own clothes and choose the fashions that they want. B. A lot of teens express themselves through fashion and since many teens start earning their o

A. Choice A uses correct punctuation and a logical conjunction. The conjunction and connects two independent clauses (meaning that they can stand on their own as sentences), there must be a comma before the conjunction. - Therefore, choices B and D are incorrect because they are missing this comma. - While choice C does have a comma before the conjunction, it uses the conjunction but rather than and. But implies that the two clauses contradict each other. And is a better choice because the two clauses are connected and support each other.

Which of the answer choices shows the correct punctuation of the city and the state in the following sentence? After living in Oak Ridge Missouri all her life, Cornelia was excited about her trip to Prague. A. After living in Oak ridge, Missouri, all her life, Cornelia was excited about her trip to Prague. B. After living in Oak Ridge, Missouri all her life, Cornelia was excited about her trip to Prague. C. After living in Oak, Ridge, Missouri all her life, Cornelia was excited about her trip

A. Correct punctuation requires a comma after both city and state when both fall within the sentence, even when the city and state fall within an opening dependent clause that has a comma after it. - All answer choices that do not have a comma after the state as well as the city are incorrect. - Answer choice C is incorrect because it adds a comma after the Oak for no clear reason as the name of the city in full is clearly Oak Ridge.

The word anesthetic refers to medication that causes a temporary loss of feeling or sensation. Based on the meaning of the word in medical usage, which is the most likely meaning of the prefix an-? A. without B. against C. away D. before

A. If an anesthetic creates a temporary loss of feeling or sensation, and anesthetic means "feeling," then an- must mean "without." Therefore, anesthetic means "without feeling." The other prefix meanings do not create as clear a connection to the recognized meaning of the full word anesthetic. To be "against feeling" makes little sense. To be "away feeling" is meaningless. To be "before feeling" would be appropriate to describe the moments before the anesthetic wears off, but this is a qualification rather than a clear definition.

Which of he following sentences follows the rules of capitalization? A. Kristia knows that her aunt Jo will be listing, but she is not sure if her uncle will be there as well. B. During a visit to the monastery, Jess interviewed brother Mark about the daily prayer. C. Leah spoke to her Cousin Martha about her summer plans to drive from Colorado to Arizona. D. Justinia will be staying with family in Chicago during the early Fall.

A. In answer choice A, aunt Jo is correctly capitalized, because although aunt identifies a specific person, the word her makes aunt into an adjective rather than being part of her name. - Titles such as uncle or aunt are only to be capitalized if they are at the beginning of a sentence or are used as part of the proper noun. - Answer choice B fails to capitalize Brother Mark, as Brother is part of the full proper noun. - In answer choice C, cousin should remain lower case as it is used to describe who Martha is, but is not used as part of her name. - Answer choice D incorrectly capitalizes Fall. Seasons are not to be capitalized. Chicago is correctly capitalized as it is the name of a city, which is a proper noun.

Which of the following sentences is grammatically correct? A. The person who left the trash in the hallway needs to pick it up now. B. Nobody needs to turn in their projects before the end of the month. C. Every new instructor should stop by the main office to pick up one's room key. D. both Simeon and Ruth are generous with his or her time.

A. In answer choice A, the subjective case pronouns who (rather than whom) correctly follows person. Additionally, the singular subject person is accompanied by the singular verb needs. - In answer choice B, nobody is singular, and needs the singular his or her to follow it instead of their. - In answer choice C, the use of one's is incorrect; it should be his, hers, or his or her. - In answer choice D, however, the use of his or her is not correct because of the structure of the sentence. The mention of the plural Simeon and Ruth makes the plural their correct.

Which of the answer choices gives the best definition of the underlined word in the following sentence? Throughout the elegant dinner party, the man's guests couldn't help but notice he Tok inordinate pride in the flattery of even his most obsequious servant. A. showing deference B. poorly dressed C. reserved D. aggressive

A. Obsequious means excessively obedient. - To show deference means to be servile. - The two are synonyms, although of differing degrees. - Aggressive is almost an antonym. - Reserved merely means shy while poorly dressed is beside the point completely.

Which of the following words functions as a verb in the sentence below? During the Seven Years' War, England and France fought over the control of the North American colonies, as well as the trade routes to those colonies. A. fought B. control C. trade D. those

A. Of the answer choices, the only word that functions as a verb is fought. The word control is a noun in this sentence. - The word trade functions either as an adjective to modify routes, or as a part of the single noun phrase trade routes. - The word those functions as an adjective.

Which of the following is a simple sentence? A. Following the French and Indian War, Spain gave up Florida to England. B. England returned part of Cuba to Spain, while France gave up part of Louisiana. C. France lost most of its Caribbean islands, and England gained dominance over them. D. Because every nation lost something, no clear victor was declared.

A. Only answer choice A is a simple sentence. It contains an opening phrase, but as this is a phrase instead of a dependent clause, the sentence is simple. - Answer choices B and D contain a dependent clause, which makes these sentences complex. - Answer choice C contains two independent classes, which make the sentence compound.

Among the following transitional words or phrases, which one indicates contrast? A. regardless B. furthermore C. subsequently D. it may appear

A. Regardless is a transitional word that indicates contrast between the previous idea(s) or point(s) and the following one(s). Others include nonetheless, even so, and however. - Furthermore (B) is a transitional word that indicates sequence. Others include moreover, besides, also, and finally. - Subsequently (C) is a transitional word indicating time. Others include thereafter, immediately, previously, simultaneously, so far, presently, since, soon, and at last. - It may appear (D) is a transitional phrase indicating concession. Other include granted that, of course, and although it is true that. - Transitions can also indicate place, examples, comparison, case and effect, repetition, summary, and conclusion. - These all enhance coherence by connecting ideas and sentences.

Which of the following sentences shows the correct way to separate the items in the series? A. These are actual cities in the United States: Unalaska, Alaska; Yreka, California; Two Egg, Florida; and Boring, Maryland. B. These are actual cities in the United States: Unalaska; Alaska, Yreka; California, Two Egg; Florid, and Boring; Maryland. C. These are actual cities in the United States: Unalaska, Alaska, Yreka, California, Two Egg, Florida, and Boring, Maryland. D. These are actual cities in

A. Semicolons are used to separate items in a series when those items contain internal commas, such as in a listing of cities and states. - Answer choice A correctly demonstrates this. - Answer choice B places the semicolon between the city and its state, instead of between each listing of the city and its state, and this is correct. A comma is always used to separate a single instance of a city and a state. - Answer choice C separate the items in the series with commas, but this creates confusion for the reader, since there are already commas between each city and its state. - Answer choice D places commas between each item in the series, but fails to include the necessary comma between each city and its state.

Which of the answer choices gives the best definition of the underlined word in the following sentences? Hercule Poirot is remembered not only for his genius in solving mysteries, but also for his fastidious habits and his commitment to personal grooming. A. Fussy B. lazy C. old-fashioned D. hilarious

A. Someone who is committed to personal grooming is likely to be fussy, and this is the meaning fo the word fastidious. - The word lazy makes little sense in the context of the sentence. - No doubt some of Poirot's actives are both old-fashioned and hilarious, but neither of these words fit the context of the sentence, and thus cannot be synonyms for fastidious.

Which fo the following sentences contains a correct example of subject-verb agreement? A. All of the board members are in agreement on the issue. B. Each of the students were concerned about the test scores for the final exam. C. Neither of the children are at home right now. D. Any of the brownie recipes are perfect for the bake sale.

A. The profound all is plural, so it requires the plural verb are. The pronouns each and neither are singular and require singular verbs (not provided in answer choice B and C). The pronoun any can be either singular or plural depending on the context of the sentence. - In this case, any suggest a singular usage, so answer choice D is incorrect with the plural verb.

The following words all end in the same suffix, -ism: polytheism, communism, nationalism. Considering the meaning of the three words, how does the suffix -ism apply to all of them? A. Doctrine B. Condition C Characteristic D. State of being

A. The suffix -ism here suggests a doctrine that is followed, whether that be the doctrine of polytheism (a religious doctrine), communism (a social doctrine), or nationalism (a political doctrine).

What transition should be added to the beginning of sentence 2 below? (1) I zoned out in class, turned work in late, talked out in class, and handed in assignments after the due date. (2) Mr. Shanbourne just nodded. A. Surprisingly B. Actually C. Furthermore D. Instead

A. The transition "surprisingly" indicates that the reaction was unexpected, or even contradictory to the circumstance for the speaker not turning his work in on time and talking-out in class. - The other answer choices do not make as much sense to coordinate these two sentences.

Which of the following words functions as an adjective in the sentence below? The welsh kingdom of Gwynedd existed as an independent state from the early 5th century, when the Romans left Britain, until the late 13th century, when the king of England took control of Wales. A. independent B. century C. king D. control

A. The word independent is an adjective that modifies the word state, describing what kind of state the kingdom of Gwynedd was. The words century, king, and control are all nouns in this context.

Which of the answer choices correctly completes the following sentences? A childhood reading of Tales from Shakespeare permanently Helene's interest in studying the Great Bard. A. piqued B. peaked C. peked D. peeked

A. The word piqued is the correct choice, and is used to describe a heightened interest in something. - The word peaked would be appropriate to describe height or the highest reach (e.g. his blood pressure peaked, and then came back down). - The word peke is frequently used to describe a Pekingese breed of dog; therefore, peked does not make sense in the context o this sentence. - The word peeked would suggest someone looking around the corner to see something.

Which of the following would belong in a formal speech? A. We all need to work together to make this school better. First, we need to organize a list of our issues. Then we need to form small groups to discuss them and find solutions. Finally, we need to implement those solutions. B. Our purpose is to work together to improve the quality of education at this school. Ideally, we need to organize a list of our issues. Secondly, we need to form small groups to discuss them and find solutions. Then

A. This answer provides an example of a formal speech, lays out the steps to a solution in a concise manner, and utilizes the correct transition words.

Which of the answer choices gives the best definition of the underlined word in the following sentence? Despite the important achievement of the election of our first African American president, the need for knowledge and education about African American history is still unmet to a Substantial degree. A. base B. considerable C. minor D. trivial

B The use of substantial in this sentence has a meaning that is closest to "considerable." The other choices are antonyms of substantial.

Which of the answer choices best combines the following sentences? The colonists refused to buy stamps. They were determined to get the Stamp Act repealed. A. The colonists refused to buy stamps and they were determined to get the Stamp Act repaid. B. The colonists refused to buy stamps, and they were determined to get the Stamp Act repealed. C. The colonists refused to bu stamps, and were determined together the Stamp Act repealed. D. The colonists refused to buy stamps, were determined to g

B. A comma and conjunction are correctly used to separate two independent clauses. - Although choice A has the conjunction and, it is missing the required comma. - Choice C is incorrect because no comma is required to separate an independent clause form a dependent clause. - Choice D is incorrect because the comma creates a run-one sentence.

Which of the following is a complex sentence? A. Milton's favorite meal is spaghetti and meatballs, along with a side salad and garlic toast. B. Before Ernestine purchases a book, she always checks to see if the library has it. C. Desiree prefer warm, sunny weather, but her twin sister Destiny likes a crisp, cold. D. Ethel, ben, and Alice are working together on a school project about deteriorating dams.

B. A complex sentence contains a single independent clause in addition to a dependent clause. Answer choice B opens with the dependent clause Before Ernestine purchases a book and ends with the independent clause she always checks to see if the library has it. - Answer choice A is a simple sentence, as it has no independent clause. - Answer choice C is a compound sentence, because it has two independent clauses. - Answer choice D is also a simple sentence, although it has a compound subject.

Considering both style and clarity, which of the answer choices best combines the following sentences? Fenella wanted to attend the concert. She also wanted to attend the reception at the art gallery. She tried to find a way to do both in one evening. She failed. A. Although Fenella wanted to attend the concert, she also wanted to attend the reception at the art gallery, so she tried to find a way to do both in one evening. She failed. B. Fenella wanted to attend both the concert and the recept

B. Answer choice B combines the sentences in the best way. The sentences are combined into a single sentence, and all of the details are still included. - Answer choice A and D do a good job of combining the sentences, but still consist of more than one sentence. - Answer choice C combines the sentences, but leaves out the part about how she "tried to find a way to attend both." There is no clear reason to leave this out, answer choice C is not the best choice.

Which of the following is a compound sentence? A. Tabitha and Simon started the day at the zoo and then went to the art museum for the rest of the afternoon. B. Tabitha and Simon started the day at the zoo, and then they went to the art museum for the rest of the afternoon. C. After starting the day at the zoo, Tabitha and Simon then went to the art museum for the rest of the afternoon. D. Tabitha and Simon had a busy day, because they started at the zoo, and then they went to the art museum fo

B. Answer choice B contains two independent clauses that are joined with a comma and the coordinating conjunction and. - Answer choice A, though it contains a compound subject and a compound verb, is still a simple sentence. - Answer choice C opens with a dependent clause, so it is a complex sentence. - Answer choice D is a compound-complex sentence because it includes a depends clause as well as two independent clauses.

Which of the following sentences does NOT use correct punctuation to separate independent clauses? A. Anne likes to add salsa to her scrambled eggs; Gordon unaccountably like this with peanut butter. B. Anne likes to add salsa to her scrambled eggs, however Gordon unaccountably likes his with peanut butter. C. Anne likes to add salsa to her scrambled eggs. Gordon unaccountably like this with peanut butter. D. Anne likes to add salsa to her scrambled eggs, but Gordon unaccountably likes his with

B. Answer choice B demonstrates a comma splice, which is the use of a comma to join two independent clauses. Note that however is not a conjunction, and cannot join two sentences like other coordinating conjunctions (e.g., and, but, or, etc.) can. - Answer choice A correctly sues a semicolon between the independent clauses. - Answer choice C correctly uses a period between the independent clauses. - Answer choice D correctly uses a comma and the coordinating conjunction but to join the independent clauses.

Which of the following follows the rules of capitalization? A. Dashiell visited his Cousin Elaine on Tuesday. B. Juniper sent a card to Uncle Archibald who has been unwell. C. Flicka and her Mother spent the day setting up the rummage sale. D. Lowell and his twin Sister look alike but have very different personalities.

B. Answer choice B incorrectly capitalizes Uncle Archibald, where Uncle Archibald is used as one whole to a specific name, which makes it a proper noun. If the sentence said "her uncle Archibald," then uncle would remain lower case. - In answer choice A, the word cousin needs no capitalization, because it is used to describe Elaine but is not used as part of her name. (The only distinctions are when the word is used within a direct address or opens a sentence.) - Similarly, mother and sister do not need to be capitalized unless they are the first word of the sentence or are used to directly address someone.

Which of the following sentences is the best in terms of style, clarity, and conciseness? A. Ava has a leap year birthday; she is really twenty, and her friends like to joke that she is only five years old. B. Because Ava has a leap year birthday, her friends like to joke that she is only five years old when she is really twenty. C. Ava is twenty years old, her friends like to joke that sh his five because she has a leap year birthday. D. Although Ava has a leap year birthday, she is twenty year

B. Answer choice B is the clearest and the most concise. - Answer choice A and C include more than one independent clause. As the statement can function as a single independent clause, this is unnecessary. - Answer choice D works, but it is not the best option in terms of style, clarity, and concision. - The coordinating conjunction with the added independent clause makes the sentence more unwieldy than answer choice B.

The following words share a common Greek-based suffix: anthropology, cosmetology, etymology, and genealogy. What is the most likely meaning of the suffix -logy? A. record B. study C. affinity D. fear

B. Anthropology is the study of human culture. - Cosmetology is the study of cosmetic techniques. - Etymology is the stud of word meanings. - Genealogy is the study of family history. All of theses words would indicate that the suffix -logy refers to the study of something. - It cannot refer to a record, since that indicates something in the past, and the words in question describe activities that are ongoing. - An affinity for something is not the same as a committed study of it, and each item in the question represents its own dedicated field. - The suffix for "fear" is -phobia.

Which of the following sentences follows the rules of capitalization? A. One major conflict in the Seven Years' War occurred between the Prussian Hohenzollern Family and the Austrian Hapsburg Family. B. The Hapsburg family was considered to be the rulers of the Holy Roman Empire. C. At the start of the war, Maria Theresa was the empress of Austria and was strengthening Austria's military. D. Frederick the Great of Prussia had recently acquired the former Austrian province of Silesia.

C. In answer choice C, the word empress does not need to be capitalized, because it is not being used as a title. Instead, it is simply a description of Maria Theresa's role as empress over Austria. - Answer choice A incorrectly capitalizes the word family twice. - Answer choice B fails to capitalize the word empire in Holy Roman Empire. - Answer choice D incorrectly capitalizes province, which is not being used as a proper noun in the sentence.

Which of the answer choices effectively revises the following sentence to remove the dangling modifier? Leaping to the saddle, his horse bolted. A. His horse bolted as it leaped to the saddle. B. When he leaped to the saddle, his horse bolted. C. His hors bolting, he leaped to the saddle. D. He leaped to the saddle, his horse bolted.

B. For the sentence to rad correctly, it must be clear that someone is leaping into the saddle when the horse bowls. In its original form, the only party identified in the sentence is the course, and a horse cannot leap into a saddle. - Answer choice B includes the mention of a second party (an unnamed he), who does the leaping as the horse does the bolting. - Answer choice B creates an amusing picture, but it fails to make sense of the original sentence. - Answer choice C is an interesting take on the sentence, but it places the action of the sentence in an odd order. It is more likely that the bolting occurred immediately after the leaping, and not the other way around, as indicated in answer choice C. (One cannot exactly leap into a saddle after the horse has already taken off.) - Answer choice D is technically correct interns of the information it provides, but it turns a single sentence into two sentences, and it incorrectly joins them with a comma splice.

Which of the answer choices gives the best definition of the underlined word in the following sentence? The experience of being the survivor of a plane crash left on indelible impression on Johanna, and she suffered from nightmares for years afterwards. A. candid B. permanent C. inexpressible D. indirect

B. The context of the sentence suggest that the trauma of surviving the plane crash left long-term memories that haunted Johanna for many years. As a result, permanent is the best meaning of indelible. - The other meanings make little sense in the context of the sentence. - The only possible option is indirect, but there is nothing about the sentence to suggest that the nightmares are indirect impressions of a traumatic experience.

Which of the answer choices gives the best definition of the underlined word in the following sentence? The housekeeper Mrs. Vanderbroek had a fixed daily routine for running the manor and was not particularly amenable to any suggested changes. A. capable B. agreeable C. obstinate D. critical

B. The context of the sentence suggests that Mrs. Vanderbroek would not be delighted about any changes for her routine. - Thus, answer choice B makes the most sense. - Answer choice A has promise, but it does not exactly fit the meaning of the sentence. It is not that Mrs. Vanderbroek would be incapable of accepting change, but rather that she would not welcome it. - Answer choice C and D indicate Mrs Vanderbroek's overall response to changes, but they do not work as synonyms for the word amenable.

Which of the answer choices gives the best definition of the underlined word in the following sentence? The elderly Miss Marple, on the other hand, is remembered for solving the mysteries she encounters by making seemingly extraneous connections to life in her small village. A. sophisticated B. irrelevant C. diligent D. useful

B. The sentence indicates that the connections Miss Marple makes are seemingly extraneous. However , the sentence also states that she uses this information to solve mysteries. This would suggest that the word extraneous means irrelevant. - Answer choice A indicates the very opposite of what the sentence implies. - Answer choice C makes little sense int eh context of the sentence. - Answer choice D would work but for the adverb seemingly; this indicates that the connections appear to be irrelevant, but are actually not. With seemingly in the sentence, the meaning completely changes if useful is added in place of extraneous.

Which of the following sentences contains a correct example of subject-verb agreement? A. Neither Jeanne nor Pauline like the dinner options on the menu. B. All of the council like the compromise the they have reached about property taxes. C. The faulty of the math department were unable to agree on the curriculum changes. D. Both Clara and Don feels that they need to be more proactive in checking on the contractors.

C. It is correct to pair a plural verb with a collective noun when that noun indicates a plural context. In answer choice C, it is clear that the faculty members are acting individually int heir disagreement, so the plural verb makes sense. - In answer choice A, the pronoun neither is singular, so the verb that accompanies it should also be singular. - Answer choice B, the pronouns all is plural, so the accompanying verb should be plural. - Similarly, in answer choice D, the pronouns both is plural, so the verb that accompanies it should also be plural.

The word capacity functions as which part of speech in the following sentence? Irish politician Constance Mankiewicz was the first women elected to the British House of Commons, but she never served in that capacity due to her activity in forming the Irish Republic. A. Verb B. Noun C. Adverb D. Pronoun

B. The word capacity is a noun in this context, so answer choice B is correct. Because the word functions as the object of the preposition, the options of verb and adverb cannot be correct. - Answer choice D is incorrect because the word capacity is not a pronoun is any context.

Which of the following functions as an adverb in the sentence below?? I tried to call Lisle earlier, but I could not get her on the phone. A. call B. earlier C. could D. phone

B. The word earlier is an adverb that modifies the verb tried and answers the adverb question when? - The word call is part of the infinitive (i.e. noun) phrase to call. - The word could is a heaping verb that accompanies the verb get. - The word phone functions as a noun in this sentence.

Choose the sentence that most effectively follows the conventions of Standard Written English: A. Wilbur and Orville Wright were two brothers, and they tested their prototype airplane on a beach in Kitty hawk, North Carolina. B. The two brothers, Wilbur and Orville Wright, tested their prototype airplane on a beach in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. C. Testing their prototype airplane on a beach in Kitty Hawke, North Carolina, were the two brothers, Wilbur and Orville wright. D. The beach in Kitt

B. This sentence best conveys the information without using too many words (choiceD) or having an awkward construction (choice A and C).

Use of formal language would be LEAST essential when addressing which of the following audiences? A. a board of directors B. a grammar school class C. a gathering of college professors D. non of the above

B. Young people will respond to and better comprehend informal, friendly speech. However, you would not want to be too informal when addressing an educated gathering of college professors or a professional board of directors. Informal speech speech likely would weaken addresses made before such audiences.

In the words proactive, progress, and projecting, pro- is a(n) and means . A. suffix; good/on top of/over B. prefix; before/forward/front C. affix; after/behind/in back of D. prefix; against/under/below

B. the prefix pro- from Latin means before, earlier, prior to; for or forward; or front. Prefixes come at the beginnings of words. - Suffixes come at the ends of words; and pro- does not mean good, on top of, or over (A). - The Greek prefix eu- mens good, the Latin prefix supra- means above, and the latin prefix super- can mean over and above, among other meanings. - Prefixes and suffixes are both affixes (C); however, pro- does not mean after, behind, or in back of. - Te Latin prefix post- means after or behind, and retro- means back or backward. - Pro- does not mean against, under, or below (D). - Sub- means under or below; anti- meant against.

Which of the following sentences is grammatically correct? A. Krista was not sure who to hold responsible for the broken window. B. Krista was not sure whom was responsible for the broken window. C. Krista was not sure whom to hold responsible for the broken window. D. Krista was not sure on who she should place responsibility for the broken window.

C. The word whom correctly indicates the objective case - as in "to hold him/her responsible" - so answer choice C is correct. - The word who in answer choice A incorrectly indicates the subjective case. - Similarly, answer choice B is incorrect because it incorrectly applies the objective whom instead of the subjective who. - Answer choice D is incorrect because the word who is the subjective case (instead of the objective case) here.

Which of the answer choices gives the best definition of the underlined word in the following sentence? The discussion over the new park had begun well, but it soon descended into an acrimonious debate over mouse of tax revenues. A. shocking B. childish C. rancorous D. revealing

C. Acrimonious means "bitter" or "vitriolic," and is very similar in meaning to rancorous.

Caret, carrot and to, two, and too share something in common. They: A. Are nouns B. Are monosyllabic C. Are homophones D. Represent things in nature

C. Homophones are words that are pronounced the same, but differ in meaning. For example a bride wears a 2-caret ring, but a horse eats a carrot.

Based on the contextual usage of the underline word, what is the most likely meaning of the prefix ante-? The years leading up the American Civil War are often referred to using the term antebellum. A. again B. good C. before D. together

C. If the years leading up to the America Civil War are described as antebellum, and bellum means "war," the only possible meaning of ante- is "before." Antebellum, therefore, means "before war." The other prefixes do little to break the word down to a sensible meaning. "Again war" and "together war" are meaningless. "Good war" does nothing to explain why the pre-Civil War years were called antebellum, particularly when considering the atrocities of war that were soon to follow.

Which of the answer choices best combines the following sentences? The French and Indian War was not an isolated war in North America. It was part of a larger war that Europe was fighting. Europeans called it the Seven Years' War. A. The French and Indian War did not occur in North America but was rather a small part of the larger European war known as the Seven Year's War. B. What Europeans called the Seven Years' War was called the French and Indian War in North America. It was part of a lar

C. Answer choice C combine all father information in the passage into a single coherent sentence. - Answer choice A inexplicably states that the French and Indian War did not occur in North America, but the passage does not indicate this. Instead, the passage notes that the French and Indian War was not an isolated conflict, that it did occur n North America, and that it was also part of the larger Seven years' War Europe was flighting. - Answer choice B contains correct information, but is choppy rather than fluid and coherent. - Answer choice B is more than one sentence, ad it lacks the style and clarity of answer choice C. - Answer choice D contains correct information, but it fails to explain - as stated in the original passage - that the French and Indian War was actually part o the larger Seven Years' War. - Answer choice D implies that the French and Indian War was unrelated to the Seven Years' War, which contradicts the passage.

What is the point of view indicated by the underlined words in the sentence? I never known when you are joking about something. A. third; second B. second; first C. first; second D. first; third

C. Answer choice C correctly identifies that I is the first person and you is the second person. The order is also correct. - The other answer choices either include an incorrect post of view or place the points of view in incorrect order.

Which of the answer choices best combines the following four sentences into two sentences? I'm usually good about keeping track of my keys. I lost them. I spent hours looking for them. I found them in the freezer. A. I lost my keys, even though I'm usually good about keeping track of them. I found them the freezer and spend hours looking for them. B. I spend hours looking for my keys and found them in the freezer. I had lost them, even though I'm usually good about keeping track of them. C.

C. Answer choice C offers the most effective combination of the sentences with the use of the conjunction but and the dependent clause starting with after. All other answer choices result in choppy or unclear combination of the four sentences.

Which of the following sentences represents the best style and clarity of expressions? A. Without adequate preparation, the test was likely to be a failure for Zara. B. The test was likely to be a failure for Zara without adequate preparation. C. Without adequate preparation, Zara expected to fail the test. D. Zara expected to fail the test without adequate preparation.

C. Answer choice C summarizes the ideas within the sentence simply and clearly. - Answer choice A moves the ideas around to make them awkward instead of effective. - Answer choice B creates a dangling modifier with the phrase without adequate preparation, so it cannot be correct. - Similarly, answer choice D makes the phrase a dangling modifier that makes the flow of thought awkward instead of clear.

Which of the following sentences shows the correct use of quotation marks? A. Grady asked Abe, 'Did you known that an earthquake and a tsunami hit Messina, Italy, in 1908?' B. Grady asked Abe, "Did you known that an earthquake and a tsunami hit Messina, Italy, in 1908"? C. Grady asked Abe, "Did you known that an earthquake and a tsunami hit Messina, Italy, in 1908?" D. Grady asked Abe, " 'Did you known that an earthquake and a tsunami hit Messina, Italy, in 1908'?"

C. Answer choice C. is correct, because the quotation is a standard quotation (requiring double quotes) as well as a question. - Additionally, the question mark belongs inside the quotation marks. - Answer choice A. correctly places the question mark inside the quotation marks, but the sue of single quotes is incorrect for standard quotations. - Answer choice B is incorrect, because it places the question mark outside the quotation marks. - Answer choice D uses the layered quotes, which are unnecessary in this case, since the sentence presents only one quotation instead of more than one.

Since, whether, and accordingly are examples of which type pf single words? A. common, or basic, single words B. compare/contrast words C. cause-effect words D. temporal sequencing words

C. Cause-effect words. Signal words give the reader hints about the purpose of a particular passage. Some signal words are concerned with comparing/contrasting, some with cause and effect, some with temporal sequencing, some with physical location, and some with a problem and its solution. The words since, whether, and accordingly are words used when describing an outcome. Outcomes have causes.

How should the underlined pronoun in the sentences below be classified? The teacher spoke firmly to the class: "If you want to succeed in this course, be willing to work hard and turn in work on time." A. first-person singular B. second-person singular C. second-person plural D. third-person plural

C. The word you is always second person, and it is either singular or plural depending on its context. In the sentence provided, the teacher s speaking to a class, and the class is likely to be made up of more than one person. Therefore, the you in the sentence is second-person plural. The other answer choices identify the wrong point of view, and answer choices A and D incorrectly identify the word as singular.

Which of the following nouns is the correct plural form of the word tempo? A. tempo B. tempae C. tempi D. tempos

C. The correct plural form of tempo is tempi. This word has an Italian root, and thus follows the pattern of other, similar words that end in -I in their plural form. - Note also that tempo, meaning time, is simply the Italian form of the Latin tempus. (recall the Latin expression tempus fugit, or "time flies.") - Other Latin-based nouns ending in -us also take the -I ending when made plural: octopus > octopi, syllabus > syllabi, etc.

Which of the following sentences contains an incorrect use of capitalization? A. For Christmas, we are deriving to the South to visit my grandmother in Mississippi. B. Last year, we went to East Texas to go camping in Piney Woods. C. Next month, we will visit my Aunt Darla who lives just East of us. D. When my sister-in-law Susan has her baby, I will take the train north to see her.

C. The word east in answer homie C is simply a directional indication and does not need to be capitalized in the context of the sentence. All other uses of capitalization are correct in the context of the sentences. - The word South should be capitalized when it refers to a region of the United States (as indicated by the mention of Mississippi). - The word East should be capitalized when it refers to the region of Texas. - And the word north does not need to be capitalized when it is simply a directional indication (as in answer choice D).

What is the correct spelling o the word that completes the following sentences? Wearing white to a funeral is considered by many to be . A. sacrilegious B. sacriligious C. sacrilegious D. sacreligious

C. The word sacrilegious indicates a violation of scared expectations, and wearing white to a funeral would be something that would violate the sacred expectations of many. - The other answer choice are spelled incorrectly, particularly sacreligious, which speeds the words with the correct spelling of religious. - This is correct, as the spelling is adjusted when joined to the other root.

Which of the following nouns represents the correct plural form of the word syllabus? A. Syllabus B. Syllaba C. Syllabi D. Syllabis

C. The word syllabi is the correct plural form of syllabus. - The other answer choices reflect incorrect plural forms. Specifically, syllabus does not change the form at all, and the Latin root of syllabus would require some change. - At the same time, syllaba - while an accurate plural for some words with Latin roots - is incorrect in this case. - And syllabis is a double form of the plural, so it cannot be correct.

What is the most effective way to rewrite the following sentence? She is saying that outfits the students are wearing to school is being distracting and inappropriate? A. Some of the outfits students wear to school, she is saying, are distracting and not appropriate. B. The outfits are distracting and inappropriate, she says, that students wear to school. C. She says that some of the outfits that students wear to school are distracting and inappropriate. D. She says that it is distracting and i

C. This version begins with a subject and verb and is followed by a clause. - Choice A is incorrect because the words are out of order and don't logically follow the previous sentence. The sentence should begin with "She says' because it is the school principal's opinion being expressed. This choice is also incorrect because it uses the words not appropriate instead of inappropriate. - Choice B is incorrect because the clause "that students wear to schools" should come after the word outfits. - Choice D is incorrect because the word order changes the meaning of the sentence by stating that any outfits are distracting and inappropriate.

Which of the following sentences demonstrates the correct use of an apostrophe? A. Lyle works for the courthouse, and among his responsibilities is getting the jurors meal's. B. Lyle works for the courthouse, and among his responsibilities is getting the juror's meals. C. Lyle works for the courthouse, and among his responsibilities is getting the jurors' meals. D. Lyle works for the courthouse, and among his responsibilities is getting the jurors meals'.

C. When a plural word is made possessive, the standard rule is to place the apostrophe ayer the final s, as in jurors'. Answer choice C correctly demonstrates this. - Answer choice A and D place the possessive apostrophe within meals (meal's and meals'), and these forms of the word do not make sense within the context of the sentence. - Answer choice B places the possessive apostrophe before the final s, as in juror's, which indicates only a single juror. This form is incorrect in the context of the sentence.

What is the most effective way to combine the two sentences below? German cuisine is known for its hearty, meat and potato dishes. Families often enjoy a rich Sunday dinner of roast meat, potatoes, and cabbage. A. German cuisine is known for its hearty, meat and potato dishes but families often enjoy a rich Sunday dinner of roast meat, potatoes, and cabbage. B. German cuisine is known for its hearty, meat and potato dishes, but families often enjoy a rich Sunday dinner of roast meat, potatoes,

D. A comma and the conjunction and are required to combine the sentences. - And is a better choice than but because the second sentence is a continuation o the first rather than a contradiction. - Choice A and B are incorrect because the conjunction but doesn't fit the meaning of the sentences. - Choices A is also missing the required comma. - Choice C uses the correct conjunction, and, but is missing the comma.

Which of the answer choices identifies the misspelled word in the sentence below? Donald considered the job offer carefully, but he ultimately decided that the low salary was not acceptible given his previous experience. A. carefully B. decided C. salary D. acceptible

D. Acceptable is the correct spelling of the word.

Which of the following words functions as an adverb in the sentence below? Jacob had been worried about the speech, but in the end he did well. A. worried B. about C. but D. well

D. An adverb modifies a verb, and in the sentence, the word well modifies the verb did by indicating how Jacob did with his speech. - The word worried is a verb. - The word about is a preposition. - The word but is a conjunction.

Which of the following is not a simple sentences? A. Agatha Christie was the author of more than sixty detective novels. B. Her most famous detectives were Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. C. She also wrote over fifteen collections of short stories about these detectives. D. Most readers favor Poirot, but Christie preferred Miss Marple.

D. Answer choice D contains two independent clauses, so it is compound sentence, not a simple sentence. All of the other answer choice are simple sentences.

Which of the following sentence is most correct in terms of style, clarity, and punctuation? A. The possible side effects of the medication that the doctor had prescribed for her was a concern for Lucinda, and she continued to take the medication. B. The medication that the doctor prescribed had side effects concerning Lucinda who continued to take it. C. Lucinda was concerned about side effects from the medication hat her doctor had prescribed, so she continued to take it. D. Although Lucinda

D. Answer choice D correctly arranges the ideas to reflect the most effective meaning of the sentence. - All other answer choices place the ideas in such a way as to create confusion or incorrect punctuation instead of clarity.

Which of the following sentences demonstrates correct use of an apostrophe? A. In one version o the story, there are seven diary's invited to the christening, while in another version there are twelve fairy's. B. Some historians' believe that the number of twelve represents the shift from a lunar year of thirteen months to a solar year of twelve months. C. Other historians claim that the symbolism in the diary tale is more about nature and the shifting season's. D. regardless of its meaning, t

D. Answer choice D correctly uses an apostrophe to indicate the possessive element within the sentence. - Answer choice A incorrectly changes the plural word fairies into the possessive word fairy's. - Similarly, answer choice B makes the plural historians possessive, and answer choice C makes the plural seasons possessive by changing it to the singular possessive season's. - None of these words is possessive in the context of their respective sentences, so only answer choice D is correct.

Which of the following is a simple sentence? A. Ben likes baseball, but Joseph Ikes basketball. B. It looks like rain; be sure to bring an umbrella. C. Although he was tired, Edgar still attended the recital. D. Marjorie and Thomas planned an exciting trip to Maui.

D. Answer choice D has a plural subject, but is still a simple sentence. - Answer choice A is a compound sentence, as it is compose of the two independent clauses. - Answer choice B consists of two independent sentences that are joined by a semicolon. (The function is correct, and creates two simple sentences, not one.) - Answer choice C contains a dependent clause, so it is a complex sentence.

Which of the following words functions as a pronouns in the sentence below? Anne-Charlotte and I will be driving together to the picnic this weekend. A. be B. this C. together D. I

D. Answer choice D is a pronoun: the subjective case I. - Answer choice A is a helping verb. - Answer choice B is an adjective. - Answer choice C is an adverb.

Which of the following sentences contains a correct example of subject-verb agreement? A. Some of the post-rally fervor hav already died down. B. Gary, as well as his three children, are coming to visit later today. C. Are neither Robert nor his parents planning to see the presentation? D. We waited patiently while a herd of moose was crossing the mountain highway.

D. As the herd is apparently moving in unison across the highway, the collective noun herd is singular, and thus takes a singular verb. (If, however, the moose were stampeding at random, each moose in a different direction, the collective noun herd would be considered plural.) - In answer choice A, the pronoun some can be either singular or plural, depending on the prepositional phrase that follows it. Because the phrase contains the singular fervor, the sentence needs a singular verb. ( on the other hand, the phrase some of the people would require a plural verb, because fo the plural people.) - In answer choice B, Gary is the primary subject, and requires a singular verb, regardless of the phrase as well as his three children that sits between Gary and the verb. - In answer choice C, the opening in this interrogative sentence is determined by whether the noun following the pronoun neither is singular or plural. - In this case, the singular Robert requires that the opening verb be

Which of the answer choices gives the best definition of the underline word in the following sentence? The warning against smoking may have been tacit, but Beryl instinctively knew that her mother wanted her to avoid picking up the habit. A. complicated B. empty C wordy D. unstated

D. If Beryl knew something instinctively, it is safe to say that her mother's warning was not stated outright. Therefore, answer choice D is the best options. - Answer choice A makes little sense. - Answer choice B makes sense only if Beryl suspects her mother does not care whether or not she smokes. - Answer choice C has a meaning that tis the opposite of the one implied in the sentence.

Based on the definition of the word permeate " to penetrate or pervade, which fo the following is the most likely meaning of the prefix per-? A. across B. by C. with D. through

D. If the root meare means "to pass," and the word permeate means "to penetrate or pervade," the most likely meaning o the prefix per- is "through." This would yield a literal word meaning of "to pass through," which is similar in meaning to the original: "to penetrate or pervade." The phase "to pass across" does not match the original Latin origins. Similarly, "to pass by" and "to pass with" are not consistent with the meaning of "passing through."

Which of the answer choices best explains the purpose of the parentheses in the sentence? The Hapsburg rule of the Austro-Hungarian Empire effectively ended with the reign of Franz Joseph I (1848-1916). A. to indicate the page numbers in the book where this information might be found B. to tell the reader when the Austro-Hungarian empire collapsed C. to identify information that was located using another source D. to set of useful information that does not fit directly into the flow of the sent

D. In question 14, the parenthetical statement includes information that tis useful - in this case the years of Franz Joesph I's reign - but does not fit into the flow of the sentence. The writer has chosen to include the years of Franz Joseph I's reign in parentheses, instead of using a dependent clause along the liens of "...the reign of Franz Joseph , who ruled form 1848 to 1916." The parentheses provide information that the reader would likely want to known without interrupting the flow of the sentence. There is nothing about the parenthetical remark to indicate that the numbers refer to the pages of a book; instead, the numbers make much more sense as dates. - The information in answer choice B is essentially implied; if the empire collapsed after his reign, it is safe to say that 1916 marks the date of its collapse. - But, this is not really the purpose of the parentheses. The purpose is to offset useful information without interrupting the flow of the sentence. It is likely tha

Which of the answer choices gives the best definition of the underlined word in the following sentences? Finlay lately refused to take part in the piano recital, so his parents had to cajole him with the promise of a trip to his favorite toy store. A. prevent B. threaten C. insist D. coax

D. In the context of the sentence, it appears that Finlay's parents are attempting to coax him by promising trip to his favorite toy store. - Answer choice A makes little sense, as the sentence indicates Finlay's parents want him to participate in the recital. - Answer choice B might work, but the promise of a trip to the toy store seems more like a reward than a punishment. - Answer choice C makes no sense when added to the sentence in place of the word cajole.

Which of the answer choices gives the best definition of the underlined word in the following sentence? Mara enjoyed great felicity when her missing dog found his way home. A. discomfort B. anxiety C. disbelief D. happiness

D. The context of the sentence indicates that Mara would feel great happiness.

Which of the answer choices gives the best definition of the underlined word in the following sentences? Thomas Macualay once commented, "Few of the many wise apothegms which have been uttered have prevented a single foolish action." A. advice B. preferences C. quotes D. sayings

D. The context suggests that Thomas Macaulay thought that people seldom apply wise sayings to avoid foolishness. - The plural word int eh sentence suggests the need for a plural synonym, so advice does not work. - The word preferences does not make much sense in the sentence. - While the statement itself is a quote - and wise sayings are usually quoted - the word quotes is not a synonym for apothegms, and is therefore not the best choice.

What does the prefix poly- mean in the word polygon? A. few B. several C. none D. many

D. The prefix poly- means "many". - A is incorrect because the prefix poly- does not mean "few." - B is incorrect because the prefix poly- does not mean "several." - C is incorrect because the prefix poly- does not mean "none."

Which of the answer choices is an effective revision fo the ambiguous sentence below? Tanya told her sister to tell her boyfriend Joe to call her as soon as he got home. A. "Tanya," told her sister, "tell Joe to call your boyfriend as soon as Joe gets home." B. Her sister told her boyfriend Joe to call Tanya as soon as she got home. C. Tanya's sister was told by her, "Joe should call me when he gets home." D. Tanya said to her sister, "Tell your boyfriend Joe to call me right after he gets hom

D. The revision in D removes a number of pronouns that lack clear antecedents. It also removes the need for the use of the subjunctive by placing the speech in quotations.

Which both following is an example of a correctly punctuated sentence? A. Beatrice is very intelligent, she just does not apply herself well enough in her class to make good grades. B. Beatrice is very intelligent: she just does not apply herself well enough in her classes to make good grades. C. Beatrice is very intelligent she just does not apply herself well enough in her classes to make good grades. D. Beatrice is very intelligent; she just does not apply herself well enough in her classe

D. The semicolon correctly joins the two sentences. - Answer choice A is incorrect, because it uses a comma splice to join two independent clauses. (To join two independent clauses, a comma needs to be accompanied by a coordinating conjunction.) - The colon in answer choice B is incorrect because the information in the second clause does not clearly define or explain the previous clause - Answer choice C is incorrect because it offers no punctuation to separate the two independent clauses and thus creates more confusion than clarity.

Which of the answer choices is an effective revision of the following ambiguous sentence? Unless she were to study harder, the student feared she would fall out of the university during her exams. A. Unless the student had fear that she would fail out of school, she wouldn't study harder. B. The students said, "she will fail out of the university unless she studies during her exam." C. The student was afraid that she should study harder before failing out during her exams. D. "If I don't study

D. The sentence is confusing because of the poorly worded conditional statement and the grammar hesitated by the indirect speech. In addition, a pronoun is placed before its antecedent. The correct answer solves all three problems by putting the speech in quotations and restating the conditional statement.

Which of the answer choices gives the best definition of the underlined word in the following sentence? The guest speaker was undoubtedly an erudite scholar, but his comments on nomological determinism seemed to go over the heads of the students in the audience. A. authentic B. arrogant C. faulty D. knowledgable

D. The sentence suggests that the scholar was very knowledgeable about his subject matter; it is just that his presentation went over the students' heads. - The word authentic suggests an external guarantee of correctness, which makes little sense in the context of the sentence. - The word arrogant might be accurate, except that there is nothing in the sentence to suggest the guest speaker deliberately spoke over the students' heads. It is imply that his knowledge was not presented effectively given the audience. - Finally, there is nothing in the sentence to suggest that the guest speaker was faulty in any way. Rather, he knew so much that he failed to connect with an audience that was less knowledgable.

Which of the following sets of words correctly fill in the blanks in the sentenced below? We cannot allow the budget cuts to ________ the plans to improve education; the futures of _______ children are not stake. A. effect; your B. affect; you're C. effect; you're D. affect;, your

D. The word affect is a verb in this context and is the correct usage within the sentence. The possessive pronouns your also correctly modifies children, so answer choice D is correct. - All other answer choices incorrectly apply the words In the sentence.

Which of the following words does not function as an adjective in the sentence below? A quick review of all available housing options indicated the Casper had little choice but to rent for now and wait for a better time to buy. A. quick B. available C. little D. rent

D. The words quick, and little are all adjectives in the sentence. - Quick modifies review; available modifies housing options; little modifies choice. - The word rent is part of the infinite (i.e. verbal) phrase to rent.

What type of sentence is the following sentence? Nancy also felt that the party was too crowed, but the hosts, who relied so much on her, would have been hurt if she had not attended. A. simple B. complex C. compound D. compound-complex

D. This is a compound-complex sentence because it contains two independent clauses plus dependent clauses. - A simple (A) sentence is a single independent clause. - A complex (B) sentence consists of one independent clause and one dependent clause, such as "After she went to the party, she went home." - A compound (C) sentence consists of two independent clauses connected by a conjunction, like "She went to the party, and then she went home."

Which of the following is a simple sentence? A. Phillippa walked the dog, and Primula gave the dog a bath. B. Phillippa walked and bathed the dog, and Primula helped. C. Phillippa walked the dog, while Primula gave the dog a bath. D. Phillippa and Primula walked the dog and gave the dog a bath.

D. While answer choice D is arguably the longest of the four sentences, it is actually a simple sentence. It contains a compound subject and a compound verb, but because it represents only one independent clause it still functions as a simple sentence. - Answer choices A and B contain two independent clauses and are thus compound sentences. - Answer choice C contains a dependent clause, so it is a complex sentence.

What is the most likely meaning of the underlined phrase in the sentence below? The Western perceptive expects moral actions to be quid pro quo to put it another way, a Westerner assumes that if he or she does something considered "good," then he or she should and will be rewarded. A. "something for nothing." B. "good merit money." C. "to each his own." D. "this for that."

D. Within the context of the sentence, it seems as if "quid pro quo" means something like "if I do something, then I will be rewarded with something good." - Choice A is not a good choice because it says "if I don't do anything, I will get something good." - Choice B is inappropriate because money is not mentioned. - While choice C might seem like a good choice, the phrase is not put in another way to talk about what people deserve as much as it talks about what people should do or how they should behave. - Choice D is the best choice because "something for something" implies the sort of exchange descried in the passage.

Bi, re, and un are: A. Suffixes, appearing at the beginning of base words to change their meaning B. Suffixes, appearing at the end of base words to enhance their meaning C. Prefixes, appearing at the beginning of base words to emphasize their meaning D. prefixes, appearing at the beginning of base words to change their meaning

D. prefixes, appearing at the beginning of base words to change their meanings. - Suffixes appear at the end of words. - Prefixes are attached to the beginning of words to change their meanings. - Un+happy, bi+monthly, and re+examine are prefixes that, by definition, change the meanings of the words to which they are attached.