A teacher is helping her students study word forms and word relationships. She is analyzing the structure of words, such as stems, root words, prefixes, and suffixes. What area of study is this?

• A. Morphology
• B. Syllabication
• C. Phonetics
• D. Orthography

Answer: (A)

The area of study being described is morphology, which focuses on the structure of words and the way in which they are formed and used in a language. Morphology examines the components of words, including stems, root words, prefixes, and suffixes, enabling students to understand how these elements combine to create different meanings and grammatical forms. This understanding is crucial for vocabulary development, reading comprehension, and overall linguistic awareness.

In contrast, syllabication deals specifically with the division of words into syllables, which is a different aspect of language that doesn’t encompass the broader structural analysis provided by morphology. Phonetics relates to the sounds of speech and how they are produced and perceived, focusing more on auditory aspects rather than structural composition. Orthography pertains to the conventional spelling system of a language, which involves written representation but does not delve into word formation strategies as morphology does. Therefore, the correct answer highlights the essential role morphology plays in examining and understanding the components that comprise words.