Which of the following examples illustrates the use of a prefix?

The example that illustrates the use of a prefix is the word "misspelling," which comes from the base word "spell." In this case, the prefix "mis-" is added to "spell" to create a new word that means to spell incorrectly. Prefixes are morphemes added to the beginning of a word to modify its meaning. The prefix "mis-" specifically indicates an error or incorrectness.

In contrast, the other words reflect different types of word formation: "worker" is derived from "work" through the addition of the suffix "-er," indicating someone who performs the action of the verb; "careful" adds the suffix "-ful" to "care," transforming the verb into an adjective describing someone who is full of care; and "invent" does not contain a prefix but rather a root word that stands alone. These distinctions help clarify the function of prefixes in the language.