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‘...the only thing that can exist is an uninterested person’ (lines 8–9) - NSC English HL - Question 5 - 2017 - Paper 1
Question 5
‘...the only thing that can exist is an uninterested person’ (lines 8–9). Explain how the change in prefix, from un- (in ‘uninterested’) to dis- (in ‘disinterested’... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:‘...the only thing that can exist is an uninterested person’ (lines 8–9) - NSC English HL - Question 5 - 2017 - Paper 1
Step 1
Explain how the change in prefix, from un- (in ‘uninterested’) to dis- (in ‘disinterested’), changes the meaning of the sentence.
Answer
The prefix 'un-' in 'uninterested' indicates a lack of interest or an absence of enthusiasm towards something. A person described as 'uninterested' does not care about the subject matter.
Conversely, the prefix 'dis-' in 'disinterested' implies an impartial or unbiased perspective. A 'disinterested' person is someone who is not influenced by personal interests; rather, they are neutral and can judge or evaluate without bias. Thus, the change from 'uninterested' to 'disinterested' significantly alters the meaning, shifting from apathy to impartiality.