Use of English - Word Formation
B2
Cambridge English B2 Exam
For questions 1-8, read the text below. Use the word given in capitals to form a word that fits in the gap. Use only one word in each gap. Click the gaps to type your answer.
Ethics and Innovation
As new technologies become part of everyday life, public debate about their impact is growing (0) RAPIDLY (RAPID). Many experts argue that scientific progress should not be judged only by its (1) .......... (PROFIT), but also by its effect on society. For example, the (2) .......... (DEVELOP) of artificial intelligence has created new opportunities, but it has also raised serious questions about privacy and control. Some people are (3) .......... (WORRY) that companies collect too much personal data without clear permission. Others point to the (4) .......... (RESPOND) of engineers and business leaders to prevent harm before problems appear. In addition, greater (5) .......... (AWARE) of ethical issues can help users make better decisions about the tools they use. Without proper rules, there is a risk of (6) .......... (EQUAL) access to technology, which may increase social divisions. For this reason, many governments now support the (7) .......... (CREATE) of laws to guide innovation in a fair way. In the end, truly successful technology should be both useful and (8) .......... (BENEFIT) to society as a whole.
About Use of English Word Formation — Cambridge English B2
This Cambridge English B2 Use of English Word Formation exercise gives you a text with 8 gaps. Use the word in capitals at the end of each line to form a new word that fits the gap.
You may need to add prefixes or suffixes, change a word into a noun, adjective, adverb or verb, make a negative, or adjust the spelling. It tests both your knowledge of word families and the grammar of the sentence.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many questions are in this B2 Word Formation exercise?
There are 8 gaps, each with a base word in capitals that you must change to fit.
What does Word Formation test?
Prefixes, suffixes and word families — turning a root word into the correct noun, adjective, adverb, verb or negative form.
How can I improve at Word Formation?
First decide which part of speech the gap needs, then form it — and always check for negatives (un-, in-, dis-) and plurals, which are easy to miss.
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What to do
For each gap you get one word in capitals which you have to change so the grammar and meaning fit in the sentence. Here you have to show how well you know word families and if you can change words by using prefixes and suffixes.
You need to read the whole text to get the writer’s opinion on the topic. That’s because sometimes a negative prefix will be required. There is usually at least one word requiring a negative prefix, so look out for these.
In the exam always write something. You never know, you might be lucky even if you are not sure of the answer!
Strategy
- Read the title and the whole text so that you understand what it is about.
- Look at each sentence in detail.
- Think about what kind of word you need and whether you need a negative prefix or a suffix.
- Read the sentence again to check whether you need a plural form.
- Check your spelling, as it must be correct.