Exploring Tri- and Quad- Prefixes: A Vocabulary Quiz

1. TRILOGY ~ noun.

A duet of literary or musical works that are completely unrelated

A single literary or musical work that spans three volumes

A series of two works that share similar characters but different themes

A group of three literary or musical works that have a related theme

A trilogy specifically refers to a group of three works with a related theme, not a single work spanning three volumes, a duet of unrelated works, or a series of two works with similar characters but different themes.

Explanation

A trilogy specifically refers to a group of three works with a related theme, not a single work spanning three volumes, a duet of unrelated works, or a series of two works with similar characters but different themes.

2. What does the term TRISECT mean?

To multiply by three

To divide into three parts

To subtract two from three

To combine three elements

The term 'trisect' specifically refers to dividing something into three equal parts.

Explanation

The term 'trisect' specifically refers to dividing something into three equal parts.

3. What is a TRIUMVIRATE?

A council consisting of five members

An alliance between four countries

A single ruler with absolute power

A group of three, espescially in authority

A triumvirate specifically refers to a group of three individuals, commonly in a position of authority or leadership. It does not refer to a single ruler, a council of five members, or an alliance between four countries.

Explanation

A triumvirate specifically refers to a group of three individuals, commonly in a position of authority or leadership. It does not refer to a single ruler, a council of five members, or an alliance between four countries.

4. QUADRANT ~ noun.

A type of musical instrument with four strings

A cooking utensil used for grilling food

A unit of measurement for weight in the metric system

The correct definition of 'quadrant' refers to sections of a circle or area divided by perpendicular lines, not a cooking utensil, musical instrument, or a unit of weight measurement.

Explanation

The correct definition of 'quadrant' refers to sections of a circle or area divided by perpendicular lines, not a cooking utensil, musical instrument, or a unit of weight measurement.

5. QUARTET ~ noun.

A composition for ten voices or instruments

A solo performance by a musician

A group of three musicians

A musical composition for four voices or instruments; a set of four, especially of four musicians

A duo performance by two musicians

A quartet specifically refers to a musical composition or a set of four musicians, not a solo performance, a composition for ten voices or instruments, or a group of three musicians. It is distinct from a duo performance by two musicians.

Explanation

A quartet specifically refers to a musical composition or a set of four musicians, not a solo performance, a composition for ten voices or instruments, or a group of three musicians. It is distinct from a duo performance by two musicians.

6. DECIMATE ~ tr. verb.

To grow rapidly and uncontrollably

To destroy a large part; to kill on in every ten

To preserve and protect

To heal and regenerate

The correct meaning of 'decimate' is to destroy a large part or to kill one in every ten, not to grow rapidly, heal/regenerate, or preserve/protect.

Explanation

The correct meaning of 'decimate' is to destroy a large part or to kill one in every ten, not to grow rapidly, heal/regenerate, or preserve/protect.

7. What is a quatrain?

A type of tropical fruit.

A type of four-sided geometric figure.

A stanza or group of four lines of poetry

A traditional dance from Morocco.

A quatrain refers to a specific structure in poetry consisting of four lines. It is a common form used in various poetic styles and is not associated with tropical fruit, geometric figures, or Moroccan dance.

Explanation

A quatrain refers to a specific structure in poetry consisting of four lines. It is a common form used in various poetic styles and is not associated with tropical fruit, geometric figures, or Moroccan dance.

8. DECATHLON ~ noun.

A type of musical instrument

An athletic contest in which each contestant takes part in ten events

A small village in France

A cooking competition involving twelve dishes

A decathlon is specifically an athletic contest consisting of ten events, not related to musical instruments, villages, or cooking competitions.

Explanation

A decathlon is specifically an athletic contest consisting of ten events, not related to musical instruments, villages, or cooking competitions.

9. What does the term BICENTENNIAL refer to?

A type of dessert

A type of musical instrument

A two hundredth anniversary

A political movement

The term BICENTENNIAL specifically refers to a two hundredth anniversary, marking a significant milestone in history or an event that occurred two hundred years ago.

Explanation

The term BICENTENNIAL specifically refers to a two hundredth anniversary, marking a significant milestone in history or an event that occurred two hundred years ago.

10. CENTENARY ~ adj.

Connected to a 10 year period

Referring to a 1 year period

Related to a 50 year period

Pertaining to a 100 year period

The term 'centenary' specifically refers to a 100 year period, making it different from the other options provided.

Explanation

The term 'centenary' specifically refers to a 100 year period, making it different from the other options provided.

11. CENTIGRADE ~ adj.

Referring to a thermometer scale of 100 degrees where water freezes at 0 degrees and boils at 100 degrees.

Referring to a thermometer scale of 50 degrees where water freezes at 0 degrees and boils at 50 degrees.

Referring to a thermometer scale of 180 degrees where water freezes at -32 degrees and boils at 212 degrees.

Referring to a thermometer scale of 0 degrees where water freezes at -100 degrees and boils at 0 degrees.

The correct definition of centigrade is specifically linked to a scale of 100 degrees where freezing point is 0 degrees and boiling point is 100 degrees. The incorrect answers provide variations or inaccuracies in the description of the centigrade scale.

Explanation

The correct definition of centigrade is specifically linked to a scale of 100 degrees where freezing point is 0 degrees and boiling point is 100 degrees. The incorrect answers provide variations or inaccuracies in the description of the centigrade scale.