These exercises contain items that are (depending on the version of MS Word you are using) either highlighted in yellow are
enclosed in red brackets. When you move your mouse cursor over a yellow area or a red-bracketed area, a 'hidden text
message' will appear on the screen. Please, keep your cursor to the far right while you are reading the text material. When
you are ready to 'uncover' the hidden text, move your cursor to the yellow or red areas.
Let's practice this 'uncovering' procedure:
How much is one plus one?
a.
b.
c.
d.
zero
two
five
none of the above
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Word Parts
The Prefix 'mal-'
A prefix comes at the beginning of a word. When you come across an unfamiliar word, there are two techniques that can
help you determine the new word's meaning:
- look at the word and see if you can get a basic understanding of its meaning by using your knowledge of word parts
- look for context clues by examining the sentence that contains the unfamiliar word, along with the sentence before and the
sentence after
malmaladaptation
The investigator found that the maladaptation of the structural support beam was the cause of the collapse.
maladjusted
The clinical psychologist visited with the parents to discuss the maladjusted behavior of their young daughter.
maladministration
The television newscast began with a piece that said the Governor's office was guilty of maladministration of the State's
highway funds.
maladroit
The secretary was maladroit in using the new technology in the office.
malady
We all dread receiving news that we have some form of malady.
malaise
For no apparent reason, Tyron had a sense of malaise all morning.
malapert
The student's malapert remarks brought the instructor to schedule a meeting with the academic dean to discuss various
remedies.
malapropism
Some scriptwriters will put a malapropism in the television show to generate some laughs.
malaria
It is rare for someone in this country to contract malaria.
malcontent
Following the violent incident in the cafeteria, the student was labeled a malcontent.
malediction
The demon pronounced a malediction on the person.
malefaction
The criminal was found guilty of her malefaction.
maleficent
His maleficent action caused him to end up in prison for eight years.
malevolent
The malevolent attitude of the prisoner warned the prison guard that caution was required.
malfeasance
There was a three-week trial, and the jury convicted the major of malfeasance.
malformation
The surgical team was able to correct the baby's congenital malformation.
malfunction
A malfunction of the compressor system caused the air conditioner to stop cooling the building.
malice
The prosecutor came to the conclusion that the defendant exhibited extreme malice towards his victim.
malicious
She endured two months of malicious talk directed at her before she asked the manager for help.
maligned
The argument became so heated that one of the speakers seriously maligned the integrity of the other.
malignant
The cancer researcher concentrated her studies on malignant tumors in white rats in order to better assist humans with
similar tissue growths.
malingerer
The squad leader informed the platoon sergeant that one of her soldiers was a malingerer.
malnutrition
The registered nurse suggested a dietary regime that would help the patient with his malnutrition.
malocclusion
The dentist was successful in correcting the lady's malocclusion.
malodorous
The malodorous condition of the dog kennel caused the dog owner to look elsewhere for a place to keep Fido.
malposition
The chiropractor advised his patient that the back pain was caused by a malposition during sleep.
malpractice
The physician was acquitted of the charge of malpractice.
maltreatment
The court documents showed that the prisoner charged the guards with maltreatment.