New Hampshire Foundations of Reading Practice Test

Understanding prefixes and suffixes aids in what aspect of reading?

1. Higher-level analysis

2. Reading comprehension

3. Pronunciation

4. Text summarization

The correct answer is: Reading comprehension

Understanding prefixes and suffixes significantly enhances reading comprehension by providing readers with important clues about the meaning of unfamiliar words. When students recognize common prefixes (like "un-," "pre-," or "dis-") and suffixes (like "-ing," "-ed," or "-tion"), they can break down complex words into manageable parts. This ability to decode words allows students to infer meanings and better understand the context in which these words are used. As a result, a strong grasp of prefixes and suffixes not only aids in decoding but also enriches vocabulary knowledge, leading to improved overall comprehension of the text being read.