Answer:
First Option: To improve reading comprehension and spelling.
Explanation:
Adding affixes (suffixes, prefixes, infixes, interfixes, circumfixes) changes or modifies the meanings of the root words.
e.g. -ist in artist, perfectionist. im- in impossible, un- in unable etc.
They may also sometimes modify the spelling of root words with which they are used. e.g. -er is used after in to make it inner, <em>rubb</em>er, -ation changes explain to explanation.
The most important use of affixes lies in changing the meaning of root words (from slightly changing to completely changing and even giving opposite meaning to original word.) e.g. -ed in passed -ist in artist, pro- before noun (pronoun) pro-colonialist. anti-colonialist, amoral, unable, smokeless, quickly. So there are too many uses of prefixes and suffixes.
Here we will know about only two types of affixes i.e. Prefixes and Suffixes.
Prefixes:
Prefixes are the letters when added in the beginning of a word modify or change its meaning.
Uses of Prefixes:
- To give opposite meaning to base word e.g. unable, amoral.
- To negate a meaning e.g. non-stop, non-alcoholic.
- To give concept of time e.g. preromantic, pre-war.
- To shows manner of work e.g. overwork, reassess.
Suffixes:
Suffixes are letters which added at the end of a word modify or change its meaning.
Uses of Suffixes:
- To make adjectives of root words e.g. -full in beautiful, -less in smokeless
- To make verbs of root words. e.g. -en in soften. brighten
- To make adverb e.g. -ly in quickly, -ward in backward, forward
Learning suffixes and prefixes with planned effort is never easy, however it is easy to learn their use by observation, and little practice.
Root Words:
A word to which a prefix or suffix is added to change its meaning is called a root word. A root word is independent (bears a meaning itself). A root word does not necessarily need an affix with it. e.g. read, walk, play etc.
Now last thing i.e Why do we need to learn them?
Much of this question has been answered above. We need to learn them or better to say we need to know about them for better understanding of language, they are essential parts of any language, and or used with excessively in spoken and written language.
Learning the use of affixes is not related with use of dictionary or with spell-checker.
