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.
Modern Convenience
Modern life is full of devices that promise to save time, yet many people seem strangely (0) DEPENDENT (DEPEND) on them. In theory, smart technology should make daily tasks easier, but in practice it often creates fresh (1) .......... (COMPLICATE). A simple phone update can suddenly leave users (2) .......... (HELP), staring at the screen as if it has personally betrayed them. Even worse, the constant stream of alerts causes endless (3) .......... (DISTRACT), making it almost impossible to focus on anything for long. Manufacturers, of course, describe every new feature as a major (4) .......... (IMPROVE), although many of them are completely unnecessary. The average customer is expected to show immediate (5) .......... (ADMIRE) for functions nobody asked for and probably will not use. As a result, people become less (6) .......... (RELY) on their own memory and more willing to trust apps with every detail of their lives. This growing (7) .......... (OBSESS) with convenience may look harmless, but it can lead to a worrying loss of (8) .......... (INDEPENDENT).
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.