Ch 1: WEST Middle Level Humanities: Phonology & Word Identification
About This Chapter
WEST Middle Level Humanities: Phonology & Word Identification - Chapter Summary
The engaging videos in this chapter make it easy to prepare for the WEST-E Middle Level Humanities (Subtests 1 & 2) exam. Brush up on your knowledge of phonology and word identification to ensure you're ready to answer questions on the test that address:
- Identifying the purpose and process of descriptive linguistics
- Describing the stages of phonological development in children
- Explaining how to understand words by their relationships
- Detailing different ways to construct meaning
- Understanding spelling, word patterns and how to use affixes and roots
- Defining connotation, denotation, semantics and syntax
- Identifying commonly confused words in English
Simplify your studying process by watching the videos in this chapter in an order that suits you. You can also access timelines with clickable links that allow you to easily review specific topics within the videos. If you can't watch the videos on a computer, mobile features allow you to access lessons via your smartphone or tablet.
WEST Middle Level Humanities: Phonology & Word Identification Chapter Objectives
The WEST-E Middle Level Humanities (Subtests 1 & 2) assessment is a computer-based test composed of 110 multiple-choice questions. If you opt to take one subtest at a time, your test will have 55 multiple-choice questions. Each subtest features three content domains. The topics covered in this WEST Middle Level Humanities: Phonology & Word Identification chapter are found in the Reading Process and Comprehension content domain of Subtest 1, which constitutes about 42% of this subtest.
This WEST assessment is a subject-knowledge test required for teachers interested in adding the middle level humanities endorsement to their new or existing teaching certificate. To increase your chances of passing the assessment, utilize the resources in this chapter, including short self-assessment quizzes and a chapter exam that reinforce concepts covered in the lessons. Each quiz offers links back to specific topics in the videos to ensure you can answer questions confidently. If you need further assistance with the lessons or chapter, simply submit your questions to instructors who are ready to help.

1. What Is Descriptive Linguistics? - Purpose & Process
This lesson will seek to explain the field of descriptive linguistics. In doing so, it will highlight the terms phonology, morphology, and syntax while discussing examples from around the globe.

2. Phonological Development in Children: Stages & Overview
In this lesson you'll learn all about how children develop the ability to turn basic units of sound into actual language. We'll cover the major phonological skills and the stages of development. Following the lesson is a short quiz.

3. Understanding Words By Their Relationships
Many words in the English language have multiple meanings. To really understand a word, we have to understand the relationship between particular words. In this lesson, we will examine this through connotations, denotations, synonyms, and analogies.

4. Constructing Meaning with Context Clues, Prior Knowledge & Word Structure
In this lesson, you will learn how readers use prior knowledge, context clues and word structure to aid their understanding of what they read. Explore these strategies through examples from literature and everyday life.

5. Spelling & Word Patterns: Prefixes, Suffixes & Root Words
How do we form words in our language? What gives them definitions? Watch this video lesson to discover how word parts like prefixes, suffixes and root words make up words and affect their meanings.

6. Using Affixes and Roots to Find the Meaning of Words
In this lesson, we will learn how to understand the meaning of words by breaking them down into the parts that form them. This requires knowledge of the Greek and Latin roots, and affixes, which are parts we add to roots to make new words.

7. What Are Connotation and Denotation? - Definitions & Examples
Discover the difference between a word's denotation and its connotation in this lesson. Explore how authors use both denotation and connotation to add layers of meaning to their work with some literary examples.

8. What Is Semantics? - Definition & Examples
Semantics, or the study of relationships between words and how we construct meaning, sheds light on how we experience the world and how we understand others and ourselves. Explore this concept with a definition and examples, and then check out the quiz to challenge your newfound knowledge.

9. Syntax in Writing: Definition & Examples
Syntax is how a writer puts his words together to create effect and artistry. Learn more about syntax and how authors use it to convey intent and cause impact for their readers.

10. Commonly Confused Words in English
Is it 'accept' or 'except?' 'Affect' or 'effect?' How do you know when to use 'there,' 'their,' or 'they're?' Watch this video lesson to learn about some confusing words in English and how to properly use each one.

11. Spelling: Words That Sound Alike (Homonyms & Homophones)
Watch this lesson to learn to differentiate between words that sound alike but may be spelled differently. We'll specifically look at homonyms, homographs, and homophones.
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Other Chapters
Other chapters within the WEST Middle Level Humanities (Subtests 1 & 2)(052/053): Practice & Study Guide course
- WEST Middle Level Humanities: Teaching Vocabulary
- WEST Middle Level Humanities: Reading Comprehension & Fluency
- WEST Middle Level Humanities: Reading Interpretation & Analysis
- WEST Middle Level Humanities: Elements of Literary Texts
- WEST Middle Level Humanities: Rhetorical Devices
- WEST Middle Level Humanities: Expository Texts
- WEST Middle Level Humanities: Persuasive & Functional Texts
- WEST Middle Level Humanities: Literary Genres
- WEST Middle Level Humanities: Poetry Analysis
- WEST Middle Level Humanities: Organizing an Essay
- WEST Middle Level Humanities: Essay Structure
- WEST Middle Level Humanities: Syntax & Sentence Structure
- WEST Middle Level Humanities: Writing Strategy
- WEST Middle Level Humanities: Using Source Materials
- WEST Middle Level Humanities: Delivering Presentations
- WEST Middle Level Humanities: Effective Listening
- WEST Middle Level Humanities: Listening for Meaning
- WEST Middle Level Humanities: Government Purpose & Function
- WEST Middle Level Humanities: Democratic Government
- WEST Middle Level Humanities: Public Influence on Government
- WEST Middle Level Humanities: Civil Liberties & Rights
- WEST Middle Level Humanities: Economic Systems & Components
- WEST Middle Level Humanities: Roles of Economic Contributors
- WEST Middle Level Humanities: Indigenous American Peoples
- WEST Middle Level Humanities: Early North American Settlements
- WEST Middle Level Humanities: Early American Resistance
- WEST Middle Level Humanities: The American Revolution
- WEST Middle Level Humanities: The U.S. Constitution
- WEST Middle Level Humanities: The Virginia Dynasty
- WEST Middle Level Humanities: The Jacksonian Democracy
- WEST Middle Level Humanities: Manifest Destiny
- WEST Middle Level Humanities: American Civil War
- WEST Middle Level Humanities: Reconstruction Era
- WEST Middle Level Humanities: American Industrialization & Urbanization
- WEST Middle Level Humanities: The Progressive Era
- WEST Middle Level Humanities: American Imperialism
- WEST Middle Level Humanities: Washington State History
- WEST Middle Level Humanities: Ancient Civilizations
- WEST Middle Level Humanities: Ancient Middle East & India
- WEST Middle Level Humanities: Ancient Greek History
- WEST Middle Level Humanities: Ancient Roman History
- WEST Middle Level Humanities: Early China and Japan
- WEST Middle Level Humanities: Africa Before Colonization
- WEST Middle Level Humanities: History of the Americas
- WEST Middle Level Humanities: Early France & England
- WEST Middle Level Humanities: Geographic Concepts & Tools
- WEST Middle Level Humanities: Human & Cultural Geography
- WEST Middle Level Humanities: Humans & the Environment
- WEST Middle Level Humanities Flashcards