Final answer:
The root of the word 'inspect' is 'spect', and it is a free root as it can stand alone and is meaningful in English, such as in 'spectator.'
Step-by-step explanation:
The root of the word 'inspect' is 'spect' and it is a free root because it can stand alone as a meaningful unit in English. 'Spect' relates to seeing or observing, as seen in other words like 'spectator' and 'spectacle.' In the word 'inspect,' the prefix 'in-' is added to the beginning of 'spect,' but the free root itself remains unchanged and can function independently in other contexts.