Mississippi Foundations of Reading Practice Test

In reading, what does an understanding of morphology enhance?

1. Comprehension of complex texts

2. Fluency in writing

3. Vocabulary acquisition

4. Oral communication skills

The correct answer is: Vocabulary acquisition

Understanding morphology significantly enhances vocabulary acquisition. Morphology, the study of the structure and form of words, involves the analysis of morphemes, which are the smallest meaningful units of language, including roots, prefixes, and suffixes. By recognizing and understanding these components, learners can decode unfamiliar words and understand their meanings more effectively. This deepened awareness allows students to infer meanings of new words based on their morphological components, thus expanding their vocabulary more efficiently than through rote memorization alone. For instance, if a student knows the root "scrib" means to write, they can deduce the meaning of related words like "describe" or "manuscript." While comprehension of complex texts, fluency in writing, and oral communication skills are important aspects of language and literacy development, they are more closely tied to other linguistic skills and strategies, such as syntax and semantics or fluency practices. Therefore, the foundational understanding of morphology plays a crucial role specifically in enhancing the acquisition of vocabulary.