MTEL Communication Literacy Skills : Reading Practice Test

Which prefix is associated with a negative connotation, indicating "bad" or "poorly"?

1. belli-

2. for-

3. mis-

4. phil-

The correct answer is: mis-

The prefix associated with a negative connotation, indicating "bad" or "poorly," is "mis-." This prefix is used to convey an incorrect or erroneous action when added to a base word. For instance, in the word "misunderstand," it suggests a failure to understand something correctly. This prefix often signifies a negative outcome or a dysfunctional state, reinforcing the idea that something is not only wrong but done poorly or inaccurately. The other prefixes listed do not primarily convey negative meanings. "Belli-" relates to war or conflict, deriving from the Latin "bellum." "For-" often suggests a negation or opposition but is not directly about a bad state, as seen in words like "forbid." "Phil-" indicates love or affinity, as in "philanthropy," and does not carry a negative implication. Therefore, "mis-" is the clear choice as the prefix that conveys a sense of something done poorly or incorrectly.