Classics 21201 English Words From Classical Elements
Final Exam Pretest
Pick the BEST answer and place its letter in the blank on the
left of the page.
_____1. The word AVERT contains a prefix meaning:
a. to, towards b. before c. out d. away, from
_____2. The best definition of EXPEDITIOUS is:
a. footsore b. expert c. prompt d. eager to please
_____3. The best definition of ABJURE is:
a. give an oath b. curse c. leave out d. renounce
_____4. The best etymology of INIQUITY is:
a. in + evil b. not + wicked c. not + equal d. in + equal
_____5. The word ACCOMMODATE is a good example of:
a. euphemism b. dissimilation c. assimilation d. hyperbole
_____6. The author of the column *** ("belittles")
Mr. Clinton's attempts to strengthen the
economy.
a. depreciates b. deprecates c. declaims d. proscribes
_____7. The prefix in the word INFRASTRUCTURE means:
a. between, among b. below c. above d. beyond
_____8. The most ________________ student completed every assignment
without errors ("careful, giving attention to detail").
a. punctual b. compulsory c. desultory d. punctilious
_____9. The prefix in the word SUCCEED means:
a. under b. before c. completely d. before, in front of
_____10. The best definition for PARTURITION is:
a. dividing b. parenting c. birthing d. counting out
_____11. The best etymology of AVOCATION is:
a. away + call b. toward + call c. not + work d. away + work
_____12. The best definition of ANNIHILATE is:
a. consider unimportant b. destroy c. reconsider d. reject
_____13. Which of the following is a hybrid? (hard!)
a. extraordinary b. monolingual c. omnipotent d. apocalypse
_____14. The best definition for INFALLIBLE is:
a. balanced b. incontrovertible c. not able to deceive d. not
able to make a mistake
_____15. Which is not an example of dissimilation?
a. pilgrim/peregrine b. marble/marbre c. -al in verbal/-ar in
familiar d. duck/drake
_____16. How many word elements (prefixes, bases, suffixes) are
in the word EXTROVERT?
a. one b. two c. three d. four
_____17. Which word fits this etymology best? "with + come"
a. convocation b. convention c. ambient d. advent
_____18. The word GRIEVE contains a base meaning:
a. sad b. dark c. heavy d. step
_____19. The eymological meaning of the word DOCTOR is:
a. helper b. healer c. teacher d. master
_____20. The best etymology and definition for TRANGRESSION is:
a. across + step: an act in violation of the law
b. across + journey: habitual movement from one place to another
c. toward + step: hostility towards others
d. toward + journey: rapid movement
_____21. In a debate, an attack on the opponent's character is
called an ______ argument. a. ad hominem b. ipso facto c. ad
nauseam d. ad absurdum
_____22. The words GREGARIOUS and CONGREGATE have a base meaning:
a. flock b. friend c. goal d. step
_____23. Which word is not associated in origin with a
Greek philosophical school?
a. halcyon b. stoic c. cynic d. epicure
_____24. The base OD- means:
a. song, poem b. imitate c. rule d. tongue
_____25. Someone who speaks very little might be described as:
a. ostracized b. cynical c. philippic d. laconic
____26. Which of these best describes a statement that "does
not follow"?
a. in sequor b. ne plus ultra c. non sequitur d. sine qua non
____28. If a newspaper editor prints a reader's letter that has
misspellings, he might use the following term ("thus"):
a. de facto b. de jure c. sic d. in toto.
____29. A "mentor" is:
a. a wise advisor b. an older person c. a genius d. a psychologist
____30. Cassandra had:
a. a gift of prophecy b. a magical thread c. a golden fleece
d. immortality
____31. Which was not a deadly mythological creature?
a. chimera b. paean c. hydra d. siren
____32. A person who forces others into his own mold might be
compared to:
a. Procrustes b. Proteus c. Croesus d. Oedipus
____33. Stentor had:
a. a cloak of invisibility b. a booming voice c. swift feet
d. a golden hand
____34. Which is not associated with wealth or luxury?
a. Midas b. Croesus c. Sybaris d. Meander
____35. Which of the following is used as a name for a place of
learning, similar to Plato's Academy?
a. Mausoleum b. Meander c. Lyceum d. Laconia
____36. The word Bible comes from the Greek word meaning:
a. holy b. pure c. book d. lesson