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

What is a bound morpheme?

1. A morpheme that can stand alone as a word

2. A morpheme that must be attached to a word to have meaning

3. A verb that does not require an object

4. A word that cannot be changed

The correct answer is: A morpheme that must be attached to a word to have meaning

A bound morpheme is defined as a morpheme that cannot stand alone as a word and requires attachment to another morpheme to convey meaning. For instance, in the word "unhappiness," “un-” and “-ness” are bound morphemes; they cannot function independently but are attached to the root “happy” to form a complete idea. This characteristic distinguishes bound morphemes from free morphemes, which can exist independently as words. Understanding this distinction is crucial for analyzing the structure of words and understanding how meaning is constructed in language. The other options do not align with the definition of a bound morpheme. For instance, a morpheme that can stand alone as a word refers to free morphemes, and definitions focused on specific features such as requiring an object with verbs or inability to change do not accurately reflect the concept of bound morphemes.