Connecticut Foundations of Reading Test (FORT) Practice

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What is the purpose of using affixes?

To create compound words
To modify the meaning of base words
To simplify word structures
To enhance pronunciation

The correct answer is: To modify the meaning of base words

Using affixes serves the important purpose of modifying the meaning of base words. Affixes are added to the beginning or end of a word (prefixes and suffixes, respectively) and can change the word's meaning or grammatical role. For example, adding the prefix "un-" to the word "happy" creates "unhappy," which alters its meaning to the opposite. Similarly, the suffix "-ness" can be added to "happy" to form "happiness," which changes the adjective into a noun, conveying a different concept related to the original word. While other options, such as creating compound words or enhancing pronunciation, are related to how words can be structured or pronounced, they do not specifically address how affixes change or clarify the meaning of existing words. The primary function of affixes is to indicate relationships between words and develop vocabulary by expanding on the meanings derived from base words.