MTEL Communication Literacy Skills : Reading Practice Test

Which prefix suggests a meaning of "excessive"?

1. Magn-

2. Hyper-

3. Pan-

4. Mal-

The correct answer is: Hyper-

The prefix that suggests a meaning of "excessive" is hyper-. This prefix is derived from Greek and is commonly used in various contexts to indicate something that goes beyond the normal limit or is excessive in nature. For example, in medical terminology, "hyperactive" describes someone who exhibits excessive levels of activity or energy, while "hypertension" refers to excessively high blood pressure. Considering the other prefixes: magn- typically relates to greatness or largeness, as seen in words like "magnify," which means to make something appear larger. Pan- refers to all or everywhere, as in "pandemic," which relates to a disease prevalent over a whole country or the world. Mal- signifies bad or ill, as seen in words like "malfunction," indicating something is not working correctly. Each of these prefixes conveys a specific meaning, but hyper- distinctly indicates an excess or notable increase.