Question

read the sentence and study the table.
the 100-year-old document was already ______ into numerous tiny pieces.

which choice correctly uses a prefix and completes the sentence?

• cointegrating
• deintegrating
• disintegrating
• imintegrating

Explanation:

Analyze the sentence context

The sentence states: "The 100-year-old document was already ________ into numerous tiny pieces."
The context describes an old document breaking apart or separating into many small fragments. We need a word that means the opposite of remaining whole or integrated.

Evaluate the prefix meanings

Using the Prefix Meanings knowledge point

• The base word is "integrating" (making whole or bringing together).
• The prefix dis- means "opposite of".
• Therefore, "disintegrating" means the opposite of integrating, which translates to breaking apart or decomposing into small pieces. This fits the context perfectly.

Verify the other options

• "cointegrating" (co- = with or together) would mean integrating together, which contradicts breaking into pieces.
• "deintegrating" (de- = away from) is not the standard English word for this context.
• "imintegrating" (im- = not) is not a standard English word.

Answer:

• cointegrating
• deintegrating
• disintegrating (Correct answer)
• imintegrating