What is meant by "morphological awareness"?

Morphological awareness refers to the understanding of the structure of words and the ability to recognize and manipulate the smallest units of meaning within those words, known as morphemes. This includes prefixes, suffixes, and root words, which contribute to the meaning of the overall word.

Having strong morphological awareness enables individuals to decode unfamiliar words, enhance their vocabulary, and improve reading comprehension. For instance, understanding that the word “unhappiness” consists of the prefix "un-", the root "happy," and the suffix "-ness" allows a reader to infer its meaning even if they have never encountered the word before. This skill is particularly critical for developing literacy, as it directly influences both word recognition and vocabulary development.

The other options focus on skills that, while important for reading comprehension and language understanding, do not specifically pertain to the structure of words. Understanding letter-sound relationships, rhythm and flow, or identifying main ideas does not encompass the nuanced understanding of word formation that is central to morphological awareness.