NYSTCE English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Practice Test

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How does cognitive development influence morpheme acquisition order?

  1. It has no effect on language acquisition.

  2. It can enhance the speed of language learning.

  3. It can disrupt normal acquisition processes.

  4. It solely determines grammatical accuracy.

The correct answer is: It can disrupt normal acquisition processes.

Cognitive development plays a crucial role in how individuals acquire morphemes, which are the smallest units of meaning in a language. As children's cognitive abilities develop, they become better at understanding and processing complex linguistic structures. If cognitive development is disrupted, whether due to developmental delays, environmental factors, or other issues, it can interfere with the natural progression of language acquisition. This disruption can result in a child acquiring morphemes in a non-standard order or missing the acquisition of specific morphemes entirely. Understanding this relationship helps to appreciate why certain cognitive milestones correspond with stages of language development. Children typically grasp simple morphemes first, followed by more complex ones as their cognitive skills grow. When cognitive development is not aligned, it can lead to challenges in achieving this expected order, highlighting the importance of cognitive growth in successful language acquisition.