Ace the Connecticut FORT 2025 – Read, Understand, Conquer!

Affixes are defined as fixed parts that are added to the beginning or end of words to create new words or alter their meanings. This component of word formation includes prefixes, which are affixes added to the beginning of a base word, and suffixes, which are affixes added to the end of a base word. By modifying the base, affixes can change the word's grammatical function or meaning, opening up a wider range of vocabulary.

In contrast, the other options relate to different aspects of language that do not accurately describe affixes. Some words may remain unchanged in meaning, but that does not pertain directly to the role affixes play in modifying words. Words made up of multiple syllables emphasize syllable structure rather than the addition of affixes. Similarly, bases that retain their spelling do not specifically address the concept of affixes, which focus on the added components rather than the bases themselves.