Weekly SAT Vocab Quiz: Prefix Power (pro-, proto-, pseudo-, retro-, sub-)
This week’s vocabulary set is all about prefixes—the building blocks that come before a word and give it power. We’re focusing on some high-frequency SAT prefixes:
- Pro- = forward or in favor of (e.g., prolific, protagonist)
- Prov- = to call forth or stir up (e.g., provocative, provoke)
- Pseudo- = false or deceptive (e.g., pseudonym, pseudoscience)
- Retro- = backward or in the past (e.g., retrospect, retroactive)
- Sub- = under or beneath (e.g., subside, substantiate)
Knowing these roots will help you decode unfamiliar words on the test—even if you’ve never seen them before.
Your job:
- Match each word to its definition
- Identify how the prefix influences the meaning
- Apply your understanding with SAT-style multiple-choice questions
Let’s build that root-word recognition and level up your verbal instincts.
Section 1: Match Words with Definitions
Click on a word, then click on its matching definition
Matching Score: 0/9
Producing many works; highly productive
Provocative
The main character in a story
Pseudonym
Prolific
Causing strong reactions or controversy
Protagonist
Beliefs mistakenly regarded as scientific
A fictitious name used by an author
Pseudoscience
Looking back on past events
Retroactive
Retrospect
Applying to past events or situations
Subside
To become less intense; to settle down
To provide evidence or proof for a claim
Substantiate
Section 2: Match Prefixes with Meanings
Connect each prefix to its correct definition
Prefix Score: 0/4
Prefixes
PRO-
prolific, provocative, protagonist
PSEUDO-
pseudonym, pseudoscience, pseudo-intellectual
RETRO-
retrospect, retroactive, retrofit
SUB-
subside, substantiate, submarine
Meanings
under, below, secondary
forward, before, in favor of
backward, behind
false, fake
Section 3: SAT-Style Context Questions
Choose the word that best completes each passage
Multiple Choice Score: 0/9
Prefix Quiz Completion Report
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