MTEL Communication Literacy Skills Reading Practice Test 2025 – All-in-One Guide to Master Your Exam Success!

The prefix "cata-" means "thoroughly" or "down." It is derived from Greek, where it conveys a sense of intensity or downward movement. In various English words, "cata-" signifies a process of breaking down or a thorough examination. For instance, in the term "catastrophe," it implies a significant or overwhelming event, while "catalyst" refers to a substance that causes a chemical reaction to proceed more quickly or thoroughly.

Other prefixes, such as "mono-," indicate singularity or oneness, as seen in words like "monopoly," where it denotes a sole entity. "Ploy-" typically relates to folding or multiplication, as in "polyhedron," which refers to a shape with many faces. "Contra-" indicates opposition, as in "contradict," which points to assertions that are opposed to one another. Therefore, "cata-" is the only prefix that accurately conveys the meaning of "thoroughly" or "down."