Which term concerns the meaning of words and phrases?

• A. Semantic
• B. Lexicon
• C. Phonology
• D. Morphology

Answer: (A)

The main idea being tested is how meaning is conveyed in language—semantics. Semantics studies how words and phrases carry meaning, how their senses connect to concepts, and how context can change interpretation, including denotation and connotation. The correct choice fits because it specifically focuses on meaning and interpretation of language.

The other terms relate to different aspects of language. The lexicon is like a mental dictionary of words and their meanings, but the study of meaning itself is semantics. Phonology is about sound patterns and how speech sounds function in a language. Morphology looks at the internal structure of words and how they are formed with roots, prefixes, and suffixes.