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

What is a free morpheme?

1. A morpheme that cannot stand alone

2. A morpheme that can stand on its own

3. A group of morphemes that form a phrase

4. A combination of prefixes and suffixes

The correct answer is: A morpheme that can stand on its own

A free morpheme is defined as a morpheme that can stand on its own as a word without needing to be attached to another morpheme. This means it carries meaning independently. Examples of free morphemes include words like "cat," "quick," or "happy," which can function as complete words in a sentence. In contrast, other forms of morphemes, such as bound morphemes, cannot stand alone and must be attached to a free morpheme to convey meaning. The incorrect choices relate to definitions that either describe morphemes that require attachment to other morphemes, or they do not accurately characterize what constitutes a free morpheme. Therefore, the correct answer highlights the ability of free morphemes to function independently.