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

Which branch of linguistics studies the internal structure of words?

1. Sociolinguistics

2. Morphology

3. Phonology

4. Semantics

The correct answer is: Morphology

The study of the internal structure of words falls under the field of morphology. Morphology focuses on the formation and organization of words, including the ways in which morphemes (the smallest units of meaning) combine to form words, as well as the rules governing word formation in a particular language. This branch is crucial for understanding how words are constructed and how their meanings can change depending on their form. This makes it essential for both language learners and linguists in analyzing vocabulary and understanding the relationship between word structure and meaning. Other branches mentioned, such as sociolinguistics, phonology, and semantics, address different aspects of language, such as social language use, sound systems, and meanings of words and phrases, but do not specifically focus on the structure of words themselves.