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

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What is the meaning of the term "stem/root" in linguistics?

  1. A combination of sounds to form a new word

  2. A base word to which morphemes can be added

  3. A synonym for an affix

  4. A word with no derivational elements

The correct answer is: A base word to which morphemes can be added

The term "stem/root" in linguistics refers to a base word that serves as a foundation to which morphemes—such as prefixes and suffixes—can be added to create new words or to change the grammatical function of the original word. For example, in the word "unhappiness," "happy" is the root or stem, and the morphemes "un-" and "-ness" are added to modify its meaning. Understanding this concept is essential in morphemic analysis, as it allows linguists and language learners to dissect words and understand their structure and meaning. The other options provided do not accurately capture the essence of what a stem or root represents in linguistics. While a combination of sounds forming a new word might allude to word formation, it does not specifically define the base element of that formation. Likewise, a synonym for an affix misrepresents the relationship between stems and affixes, as affixes are added to stems rather than being synonymous with them. Finally, a word with no derivational elements describes a word that is not complex or does not include additional morphemes, which does not encapsulate the functional role of a root or stem.