Question

Analyze the word to determine its Greek prefix. Then use your understanding of the prefix meaning to choose the correct meaning of the word.
1. prognosis

a. the write-up of the course of a disease after the patient has died or been cured
b. the development of a disease
c. the prediction of a probable course of a disease

2. polytechnic

a. dealing with many technical or industrial arts
b. specializing in one technical or industrial art
c. not dealing with technical or industrial arts

3. symposium

a. a meeting
b. a remote connection to an Internet site
c. a place to retreat from the activity of life for a time of quiet reflection

4. euphonium

a. a musical instrument that produced particularly loud notes
b. a musical instrument that was very easy to play
c. a musical instrument that produced a particularly good sound

Answer 1

1. The roots are pro meaning "before" and gnosis meaning "knowing" Prognosis literally means "knowing before," which can be interpreted as meaning a prediction about what course a disease will take before it happens. c. is the correct answer here.

2. The roots are poly meaning "many" and techne meaning "art." Polytechnic literally means "many arts." a. is the only answer that discusses many arts. 

3. The roots are sun meaning "together" and pino meaning "drink." These roots combine to mean literally "drinking together." People would not be reflecting quietly while retreating if they are drinking together. Drinking together also does not require an internet connection. Drinking together does imply some kind of meeting, so a. is the correct answer here.

4. The roots are eu meaning "good, well" and phone meaning "sound." The word literally means, "good sound," so c. is the correct answer.