Opposites 3: verb prefixes

opposites 24 terms 24 questions TOEIC Part 5, Part 6, Part 7

Verb prefixes do more than negate. Dis- reverses (disconnect), un- undoes (unload, unlock), mis- means wrongly (miscalculate, misjudge), and im- is rarer than learners think. This lesson asks for the prefixed verb in the right form as well as the right prefix, which is how Part 5 actually tests it.

Your task

Some verbs take a prefix — dis-, im-, mis- or un- — to reverse or modify their meaning. Complete each sentence with the right verb from the list, prefixed and in the right form.

Target vocabulary

agree allow approve behave calculate connect continue cover diagnose fold judge like load lock obey place please prove qualify quote represent trust understand use

Practice

Word bank

agree allow approve behave calculate connect continue cover diagnose fold judge like load lock obey place please prove qualify quote represent trust understand use

1 We completely ________ the time we had for the project, and unfortunately we were unable to finish on time.

2 The press have once again ________ the President: he said that women were 'America's hope for the future', and not 'America's hopeless future'.

2 Overseas business deals sometimes fail when one party ________ the other's intentions, usually as a result of linguistic or cultural differences.

3 The National Patients' Association is calling on Senators around the country to make doctors legally responsible for ________ an illness.

4 It is dangerous to remove paper jams in the photocopier without first ________ the copier from the power supply.

5 New government legislation has been criticized for offering compensation to people who have been ________ from driving and who have lost their jobs as a result.

6 Despite recent rumors in the press, Kaput Computers is pleased to announce that it will not be ________ its popular line of budget laptops.

7 The lack of progress has ________ the management, and in view of this they plan to review working procedures.

8 The press deliberately tried to ________ our company, wrongly suggesting that we plan to sell arms abroad.

9 The salesman accidentally ________ the discount due to us, so we hardly broke even on the deal.

10 Deliveries need to be ________ from the truck as soon as they arrive, and placed in the storeroom on the first floor.

11 It is a sad fact of office life that when the manager is away some employees feel free to ________.

12 If any employee ________ with the new working regulations, they should speak to their line manager.

13 If any employee ________ the company computers (eg, by sending personal emails or for accessing undesirable websites), they will be instantly dismissed.

14 Getting nowhere in your job? Then ________ the secrets to business success with our new book, 'The Only Way is Up!'.

15 The company claimed $20,000 for fire damage, but the claim was ________ because proper safety procedures had not been observed.

16 As the full extent of the company's financial problems ________, the management decided to take drastic action.

17 We regret that our trust in your company was sadly ________, and therefore we will not be dealing with you in the future.

18 A recent company investigation has ________ several cases of unauthorized Internet use during office hours.

19 The huge increase in exports recently has ________ the argument that the world has stopped buying American goods.

20 Employers have every right to ________ interview candidates who are not able to provide adequate references or show proof of their qualifications.

21 Unfortunately, many of our employees ________ the new uniform, claiming it is old-fashioned and uncomfortable.

22 The management ________ of employees smoking during working hours.

23 Some staff members have ________ several directives regarding punctuality, and can expect to be disciplined. Down