Which term describes the affixes added to the beginning or end of a root word?

The term that describes the affixes added to the beginning or end of a root word is "Prefixes and Suffixes." Prefixes are affixes placed at the beginning of a root word to modify its meaning, while suffixes are added to the end of a root word to create a new word or change its grammatical function. This concept is fundamental in understanding how words are constructed and how their meanings can shift depending on the affix applied.

When students learn about prefixes and suffixes, they gain insight into vocabulary expansion, the ability to decode unfamiliar words, and the formation of various tense or form variations in language. Understanding this distinction helps improve their language skills, making it easier to comprehend and communicate effectively.

The other options do not accurately describe affixes. Contractions refer to the combination of two words into a shortened form (like "can't" from "can" and "not"), root words are the base words themselves without any affixes, and compound words are formed by combining two whole words (like "notebook"). These terms represent different concepts in language arts, thereby distinguishing them from the affixes that modify root words.