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.
Changing Traditions
Many customs that seem ancient are not as fixed as people imagine. In fact, the (0) TRADITIONAL (TRADITION) image of a festival often hides a long history of change. Over time, communities make (1) .......... (ADAPT) to old celebrations so that they remain meaningful in modern life. Sometimes these changes happen because of new technology, greater (2) .......... (MIGRATE), or contact with other cultures. As a result, practices that were once local can gain international (3) .......... (POPULAR). At the same time, some people worry that too much change may lead to the (4) .......... (LOSE) of important values. However, historians point out that complete (5) .......... (STABLE) has never really existed. Even ceremonies that look formal today were often quite (6) .......... (DIFFER) in the past. In many cases, the (7) .......... (PRESERVE) of a tradition depends on a community’s willingness to accept careful change rather than reject it. This explains why cultural events can remain (8) .......... (RECOGNISE) while still developing from one generation to the next.
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.