Earth Science Prefixes And Roots

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| By Tanja Donelson
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Tanja Donelson
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Quizzes Created: 15 | Total Attempts: 16,394
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  • 1/34 Questions

    What does the prefix mean:Geo-

    • Written representation
    • Earth, rock
    • Arrangement
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Practice knowledge of science prefixes and roots used in Earth Science

Vocabulary Quizzes & Trivia

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  • 2. 

    What does the prefix mean:Hydro-; hydra-

    • Water

    • Air

    • Earth

    Correct Answer
    A. Water
    Explanation
    The prefix "hydro-" or "hydra-" typically refers to water. This can be seen in words like "hydrology" (the study of water) or "hydrant" (a device for drawing water). Therefore, the correct answer is water.

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  • 3. 

    What does the prefix mean:Eco-

    • Under

    • Nature; natural

    • Strong

    Correct Answer
    A. Nature; natural
    Explanation
    The prefix "Eco-" in this context means nature or natural. This can be inferred from the fact that "Eco-" is commonly used in words related to ecology or the environment, such as "ecosystem" or "ecology." It indicates a connection to the natural world and emphasizes the importance of preserving and protecting it.

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  • 4. 

    What does the prefix mean:Bio; Bios

    • Life; living

    • Below

    • Above

    Correct Answer
    A. Life; living
    Explanation
    The prefix "bio-" is derived from the Greek word "bios," which means life or living. It is commonly used in words related to biology, such as "biology" (the study of life) and "biography" (the story of someone's life). Therefore, the correct answer is that the prefix "bio-" means life or living.

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  • 5. 

    What does the prefix/suffix/root mean:-ology; logy

    • Study

    • Under

    • One that does

    Correct Answer
    A. Study
    Explanation
    The prefix/suffix/root "-ology; logy" means "study". It is commonly used in words such as biology, psychology, and geology, where it indicates the study or science of a particular subject. This prefix/suffix/root implies that the word is related to the systematic examination and analysis of a specific field or subject matter.

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  • 6. 

    What does the prefix/suffix/root mean:Kilo-

    • 10

    • 100

    • 1000

    Correct Answer
    A. 1000
    Explanation
    The prefix "kilo-" means 1000. It is commonly used to indicate a multiple of 1000 in the metric system. For example, kilogram means 1000 grams and kilometer means 1000 meters. Therefore, the correct answer is 1000.

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  • 7. 

    What does the prefix/suffix/root mean:Hemi-

    • Half

    • Whole

    • Earth

    Correct Answer
    A. Half
    Explanation
    The prefix "hemi-" means "half". This can be seen in words like "hemisphere" which refers to half of the earth, and "hemiplegia" which is paralysis affecting one side of the body. The prefix indicates a division or splitting into two equal parts.

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  • 8. 

    What does the prefix/suffix/root mean:therm-; thermo-

    • Heat

    • Above

    • Stone

    Correct Answer
    A. Heat
    Explanation
    The prefix "therm-" and the suffix "thermo-" both refer to heat. These prefixes and suffixes are commonly used in words related to temperature or heat energy. For example, words like "thermometer" and "thermostat" contain these prefixes or suffixes and are used to measure or control heat. Therefore, the correct answer is "heat."

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  • 9. 

    What does the prefix mean:Sub-

    • Arrangement

    • Layer

    • Below

    Correct Answer
    A. Below
    Explanation
    The prefix "sub-" indicates that something is located or positioned below or beneath something else. In the context of the given options, "sub-arrangement" would mean a secondary or subordinate arrangement, "sub-layer" would refer to a layer positioned beneath another layer, and "below" simply means at a lower position or level. Therefore, the correct answer is "below" as it accurately represents the meaning of the prefix "sub-".

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  • 10. 

    What does the prefix/suffix/root mean:-sphere

    • Hot

    • Round

    • Layer

    Correct Answer
    A. Round
    Explanation
    The prefix/suffix/root "-sphere" refers to something that is round. This can be inferred from the fact that "sphere" is a geometric shape that is perfectly round in all directions. Therefore, the correct answer is "round".

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  • 11. 

    What does the prefix/suffix/root mean:-ic

    • Above

    • Having form or characteristics of

    • Weather

    Correct Answer
    A. Having form or characteristics of
    Explanation
    The prefix/suffix/root "-ic" in this context means "having form or characteristics of." This indicates that when this prefix/suffix/root is added to a word, it gives the word a quality or attribute that is related to its form or characteristics.

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  • 12. 

    What does the prefix/suffix/root mean:Seismo-

    • Volcano

    • Earthquake

    • Center

    Correct Answer
    A. Earthquake
    Explanation
    The prefix "seismo-" refers to earthquakes. Therefore, when combined with the word "volcano," it suggests a connection between volcanoes and earthquakes. However, since the question asks for the meaning of the prefix/suffix/root, the correct answer is "earthquake" as it directly corresponds to the prefix "seismo-."

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  • 13. 

    What does the prefix/suffix/root mean:-ist

    • One that does

    • Layer

    • Rock

    Correct Answer
    A. One that does
    Explanation
    The prefix/suffix/root "-ist" means "one that does". It is commonly added to nouns to form agent nouns, which refer to people or things that perform a specific action or have a certain quality. For example, a "pianist" is someone who plays the piano, and a "scientist" is someone who studies science. The "-ist" suffix indicates that the person is engaged in the activity or profession associated with the root word.

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  • 14. 

    What does the prefix/suffix/root mean:Bar-; baro-

    • Pressure; weight

    • Strength

    • Temperature

    Correct Answer
    A. Pressure; weight
    Explanation
    The prefix "bar-" and the suffix "baro-" both refer to pressure or weight. The term "bar-" is commonly used in units of pressure, such as "millibar" or "barometer," while "baro-" is used to describe atmospheric pressure. Therefore, the correct answer is pressure; weight.

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  • 15. 

    What does the prefix mean:Atmo-

    • Milli

    • Air

    • Arrangement

    Correct Answer
    A. Air
    Explanation
    The prefix "Atmo-" in this context means "air". This can be inferred from the given options where "milli" and "arrangement" do not relate to air, while "air" directly corresponds to the meaning of the prefix.

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  • 16. 

    What does the prefix/suffix/root mean:Con-

    • Together

    • Apart

    • Away

    Correct Answer
    A. Together
    Explanation
    The prefix "con-" means "together" because it is commonly used to indicate a sense of unity or collective action. For example, "contribute" means to give or provide something together with others, while "conquer" means to overcome or defeat together as a group. Therefore, the correct answer is "together."

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  • 17. 

    What does the prefix mean:Clima-

    • Water

    • Air

    • Weather

    Correct Answer
    A. Weather
    Explanation
    The prefix "clima-" in this context refers to weather. It is commonly used in words related to climate or atmospheric conditions. Therefore, the correct answer is weather.

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  • 18. 

    What does the prefix mean:Litho-

    • Stone; strong

    • Earth

    • Below

    Correct Answer
    A. Stone; strong
    Explanation
    The prefix "litho-" means "stone; strong." This can be inferred from the fact that the word "litho-" is derived from the Greek word "lithos," which means "stone." Additionally, the term "strong" is often associated with the strength and durability of stones. Therefore, the prefix "litho-" is commonly used to indicate something related to stones or strength.

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  • 19. 

    What does the prefix mean:astro-

    • Star; heavens

    • High in the air

    • Earth

    Correct Answer
    A. Star; heavens
    Explanation
    The prefix "astro-" refers to the concepts of star and heavens. It is commonly used in words related to astronomy, such as astrology (study of celestial bodies) and astronaut (person who travels to space). The prefix does not imply anything about being high in the air or earth.

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  • 20. 

    What does the prefix/suffix/root mean:Centi-

    • 1/100

    • 1/1000

    • 1/100,000

    Correct Answer
    A. 1/100
    Explanation
    The prefix "centi-" means "1/100". It is used to indicate a unit of measurement that is equal to one hundredth of the base unit. For example, a centimeter is one hundredth of a meter, and a centigram is one hundredth of a gram.

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  • 21. 

    What does the prefix/suffix/root mean:Alt-

    • High

    • Low

    • Below

    Correct Answer
    A. High
    Explanation
    The prefix "alt-" in this context means "high." It is commonly used to indicate something that is above or beyond the normal or average level. In this case, "alt-" suggests that the word or term associated with it is related to a higher or elevated position or state. Therefore, the correct answer is "high."

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  • 22. 

    What does the prefix/suffix/root mean:Helio-; Helion-

    • Heat

    • Sun; gas

    • Abyss

    Correct Answer
    A. Sun; gas
    Explanation
    The prefix "helio-" and the suffix "helion-" both refer to the concept of "sun" or "gas". This can be inferred from the fact that "helio-" is derived from the Greek word "helios" meaning "sun" and "helion-" is derived from the Greek word "helios" as well. Therefore, the correct meaning of the prefix/suffix/root is "sun; gas".

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  • 23. 

    What does the prefix/suffix/root mean:Iso-

    • Half

    • Above

    • Same; equal

    Correct Answer
    A. Same; equal
    Explanation
    The prefix "iso-" means "same" or "equal." It is commonly used in words to indicate similarity or equality, such as isometric (having equal measurements) or isosceles (having two sides of equal length). The prefix "iso-" does not mean "half" or "above."

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  • 24. 

    What does the prefix mean:Meteor-

    • Heat, hot

    • Around

    • High in air

    Correct Answer
    A. High in air
    Explanation
    The prefix "Meteor-" in this context refers to something that is high in the air. This can be understood by looking at the options provided and recognizing that "high in air" is the most appropriate meaning for the prefix in relation to the word "Meteor-".

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  • 25. 

    What does the prefix/suffix/root mean:Deci-

    • 1/100

    • 1/10

    • 1/1000

    Correct Answer
    A. 1/10
    Explanation
    The prefix "Deci-" means one-tenth. It is derived from the Latin word "decimus" which means tenth. Therefore, when we see the prefix "Deci-" in a word, it indicates that the quantity or measurement is divided by ten. In this case, the correct answer 1/10 aligns with the meaning of the prefix "Deci-".

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  • 26. 

    What does the prefix/suffix/root mean:Epi-

    • Around

    • Above

    • Below

    Correct Answer
    A. Above
    Explanation
    The prefix "epi-" means "above" because it is used to indicate something that is located or positioned above or on top of something else. It is commonly used in medical terms to describe the location of a structure or condition in relation to another structure. For example, "epidermis" refers to the outer layer of the skin, which is above the dermis.

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  • 27. 

    What does the prefix/suffix/root mean:Milli-

    • 1/100

    • 1/1000

    • 1/100,000

    Correct Answer
    A. 1/1000
    Explanation
    The prefix "milli-" in this context means "1/1000." It is used to denote a factor of one thousandth. For example, in the metric system, millimeters are one thousandth of a meter. Therefore, the correct answer is 1/1000.

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  • 28. 

    What does the prefix/suffix/root mean:In; ir; im-

    • Full

    • Capable of

    • Not; without

    Correct Answer
    A. Not; without
    Explanation
    The prefix/suffix/root "in; ir; im-" typically means "not; without." This indicates that when this prefix/suffix/root is added to a word, it negates or indicates the absence of the quality or action associated with the word. Therefore, the correct answer is "not; without."

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  • 29. 

    What does the prefix/suffix/root mean:Hypo-

    • Below; under

    • Action

    • Before

    Correct Answer
    A. Below; under
    Explanation
    The prefix "hypo-" means "below" or "under." In this case, it indicates a position or state that is lower or beneath something else. The given answer suggests that "hypo-" is associated with the meaning of "below" or "under."

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  • 30. 

    What does the prefix/suffix/root mean:Hecto-

    • 5

    • 10

    • 100

    Correct Answer
    A. 100
    Explanation
    The prefix "hecto-" means "100" in the metric system. It is derived from the Greek word "hekaton" which also means "100". This prefix is commonly used to indicate a multiple of 100 in measurements. For example, hectometer represents 100 meters, hectogram represents 100 grams, and hectoliter represents 100 liters.

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  • 31. 

    What does the prefix/suffix/root mean:Deca-

    • 1/10

    • 1/100

    • 10

    Correct Answer
    A. 10
    Explanation
    The prefix "Deca-" means 10. This is evident from the fact that the options 1/10 and 1/100 are incorrect, as they represent fractions smaller than 1. Therefore, the correct answer is 10, which signifies that the prefix "Deca-" is associated with the number 10.

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  • 32. 

    What does the prefix/suffix/root mean:-nomy

    • Arrangement

    • Stars

    • Above

    Correct Answer
    A. Arrangement
    Explanation
    The prefix/suffix/root "-nomy" in this context refers to the meaning of "arrangement". It is commonly used in words like "economy" (the arrangement of resources) or "taxonomy" (the arrangement of organisms into categories). Therefore, the correct answer is "arrangement".

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  • 33. 

    What does the prefix/suffix/root mean:Astheno-

    • Strong

    • Rock

    • Weak

    Correct Answer
    A. Weak
    Explanation
    The prefix "astheno-" means weak. This can be inferred from the fact that the other options, "strong" and "rock," do not align with the meaning of the prefix. The prefix "astheno-" is commonly used in medical terminology to indicate weakness or lack of strength. Therefore, "weak" is the correct interpretation of the prefix/suffix/root "astheno-."

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  • 34. 

    What does the prefix mean:-graph

    • Written representation

    • Instrument

    • Full

    Correct Answer
    A. Written representation
    Explanation
    The prefix "graph" typically refers to a written representation or a visual depiction of something. This can be seen in words like "photograph" (a representation of light) or "autograph" (a written representation of one's own name). Therefore, in this context, the correct answer is "written representation."

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  • Current Version
  • Mar 18, 2023
    Quiz Edited by
    ProProfs Editorial Team
  • Aug 15, 2010
    Quiz Created by
    Tanja Donelson
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