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Compound Words & Prefixes

11+ Verbal Reasoning, topic 3.1.4

Compound Words and Prefixes

To test your knowledge of compound words (and especially your knowledge of prefixes), you may be asked to select a prefix that creates three new words.

Example

Example

  • [ ] prove, [ ] port, [ ] moral
Step 1

Step 1

  • Try adding prefixes to the first word:
  • Disprove is a word.
  • Improve is a word.
Step 2

Step 2

  • Try adding the first prefix to the other words:
  • Disport is NOT a word.
  • Dismoral is NOT a word.
    • So 'dis-' cannot be the right prefix.
Step 3

Step 3

  • Try adding the second prefix to the other words:
  • Import IS a word.
  • Immoral IS a word.
    • So 'im-' must be the right prefix.
Write the answer

Write the answer

  • The prefix is 'im'.
  • Improve, import, immoral

Test yourself on Compound Words & Prefixes

  • Which prefix would turn these three words into new words?

    [ ] aches, [ ] amble, [ ] exist

  • Which prefix would turn these three words into new words?

    [ ] arm, [ ] name, [ ] head

Practise this topic for free