Mississippi Foundations of Reading Practice Test

Which term describes the parts of a word that contribute to its meaning?

1. Word families

2. Word parts

3. Word bank

4. Word calling

The correct answer is: Word parts

The correct term that describes the parts of a word that contribute to its meaning is "word parts." Word parts encompass prefixes, suffixes, and root words, all of which play a critical role in determining the overall meaning of a word. For instance, the root "bio" means life, and when combined with different prefixes or suffixes, it creates words like "biology" (the study of life) or "biodegradable" (capable of being broken down by living organisms). Understanding word parts is essential for vocabulary development and comprehension, as it enables individuals to decode unfamiliar words and grasp their meanings based on their components. In contrast, the other options do not specifically convey the concept of meaning contribution. "Word families" typically refer to groups of words that share a common base or root but differ in form, such as "run," "runner," and "running." "Word bank" refers to a collection of vocabulary words, often keeping track of words learned or to be used, rather than focusing on their structural parts. "Word calling" is not a recognized term in the context of word structure or meaning. Therefore, "word parts" accurately captures the essence of how components of a word relate to its meaning.