MTEL Communication Literacy Skills : Reading Practice Test

What is a suffix?

1. A word that indicates a negative connotation

2. A group of letters placed behind a root word

3. A prefix indicating warlike behavior

4. A synonym for the word "well"

The correct answer is: A group of letters placed behind a root word

The correct answer identifies a suffix as a group of letters placed behind a root word. This understanding is fundamental in word formation and helps in grasping how words derive their meanings. A suffix modifies the meaning of the root word it attaches to, creating new words or altering grammatical functions, such as transforming a noun into an adjective (e.g., "hope" becoming "hopeful") or changing a verb tense (e.g., "run" becoming "running"). The other options do not capture the essence of what a suffix is. For instance, describing a suffix as a word with a negative connotation does not align with the definition, as suffixes can have various functions and not all of them create negative meanings. Similarly, a suffix is not a specific prefix indicating warlike behavior, as that pertains to a different concept, and synonyms for "well" do not relate to the structure of words, which is the focus of suffixes. By understanding that a suffix is specifically a morpheme added to the end of a root, you can better analyze and