Which of the following best describes the morphemes in the word "unbreakable"?

The correct choice identifies the components of the word "unbreakable" in terms of morphemes, which are the smallest units of meaning in a language.

In "unbreakable", we can break it down into three distinct parts: "un-", "break", and "-able". Here "break" is the root word and therefore a free morpheme, as it can stand alone and convey meaning without needing additional elements. The other two parts, "un-" and "-able", are bound morphemes. "Un-" is a prefix that modifies the meaning of the root by negating it, while "-able" is a suffix that turns the verb "break" into an adjective, indicating that something is capable of being broken.

Thus, we have one free morpheme ("break") and two bound morphemes ("un-" and "-able"). This analysis correctly encapsulates the structure of the word, demonstrating how it is constructed from different types of morphemes. Understanding this breakdown is vital for grasping concepts related to morphology and linguistics within the context of developmental psychology, as language development is a key area of study in understanding cognitive development across the lifespan.