MTEL Communication Literacy Skills : Reading Practice Test

What defines a root in the context of word analysis?

1. The prefix that modifies the meaning

2. The ending that indicates tense or plurality

3. The main part of a word that carries its meaning

4. The combination of letters that create a word

The correct answer is: The main part of a word that carries its meaning

In the context of word analysis, a root is the main part of a word that carries its meaning. It serves as the fundamental building block from which words can be formed, often providing the core semantic content. For example, in the word "unhappiness," the root "happy" conveys the essential meaning of the word, while the prefix "un-" modifies its meaning to indicate negation, and the suffix "-ness" changes it into a noun form. The other options, while related to word structure, do not accurately capture the definition of a root. The prefix modifies the meaning of a root rather than being part of it, the ending indicates grammatical changes rather than the core meaning, and a combination of letters may not specifically refer to the fundamental part of a word but rather the entire word or its variations. Thus, identifying the root as the main part of a word that conveys its core meaning is crucial for understanding linguistics and word formation.