MLAT Word Structure & Morphological Analysis 5

Question 1

Which process is illustrated when 'text' becomes 'to text' (as in texting a message)?

Accepted Answer

Conversion (zero derivation)

Answer

Conversion (zero derivation) changes a word's grammatical category without adding any affix.

Question 2

In the compound word 'blackbird,' what is the relationship between the two roots?

Accepted Answer

The first root modifies the second

Answer

In English compounds, the first element typically modifies the head (second element), so 'black' modifies 'bird.'

Question 3

What does the plural morpheme in 'oxen' illustrate?

Accepted Answer

A historical (archaic) suffix -en

Answer

'Oxen' retains the archaic Old English plural suffix '-en,' still used in a few English words.

Question 4

Which word contains a PREFIX that means 'against' or 'opposite'?

Accepted Answer

antiwar

Answer

The prefix 'anti-' in 'antiwar' means against or opposing something.

Question 5

In morphological analysis, a 'stem' is best defined as:

Accepted Answer

The base form to which affixes are attached

Answer

A stem is the base form of a word to which inflectional or derivational affixes are added.

(MLAT) Modern Language Aptitude Test Practice Test