MTEL Communication Literacy Skills: Reading Practice Test 2025 - Free Practice Questions and Study Guide

The prefix that corresponds to the meaning "through, across, apart" is "dia-." This prefix is derived from Greek, where it signifies the concept of being through or across an entity. For instance, in the word "diameter," it indicates the line that runs across a circle, effectively dividing it in two. Understanding the nuances of prefixes like "dia-" can significantly enhance vocabulary comprehension, particularly in scientific and mathematical contexts where precision of meaning is essential.

In contrast, the other prefixes do not carry the same meaning. "Dis-" often indicates separation or negation, such as in "discount" or "disagree." "Peri-" typically signifies closeness or surrounding, seen in words like "periscope," which refers to an instrument that allows one to see around an obstruction. "Trans-" means across or beyond, as found in "transfer" or "transport," but it does not emphasize the same connotation of "through" as "dia-." Understanding these distinctions can aid in clear communication and effective reading comprehension.