Use of English PRO

Champions League Nights

Few competitions in world football generate the same (0) INTENSITY as the UEFA Champions League, where a single mistake can undo months of careful planning. For clubs, qualification is not merely a sporting goal but a financial (1) .......... (NECESSARY), since prize money can transform a season’s budget. Managers therefore spend hours studying opponents, looking for (2) .......... (TELL) patterns in pressing and set-piece routines. Yet the tournament’s appeal lies in its (3) .......... (PREDICT): a heavyweight can be eliminated by a team with fewer stars but greater cohesion. In the group stage, teams must balance ambition with (4) .......... (PRUDENT), knowing that an early defeat can create pressure that is hard to shake off. By the knockout rounds, every detail is (5) .......... (SCRUTINY), from travel schedules to the choice of penalty takers. For supporters, the experience is equally powerful. The (6) .......... (ELECTRIC) atmosphere under floodlights can turn an ordinary stadium into a place of belief, while a late goal may bring instant (7) .......... (RELIEVE) or crushing disappointment. Ultimately, the Champions League rewards not only talent but also (8) .......... (RESILIENT) when momentum swings and nerves threaten to take over.

About Use of English Word Formation — Cambridge English C1

This Cambridge English C1 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 C1 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

  1. Read the title and the whole text so that you understand what it is about.
  2. Look at each sentence in detail.
  3. Think about what kind of word you need and whether you need a negative prefix or a suffix.
  4. Read the sentence again to check whether you need a plural form.
  5. Check your spelling, as it must be correct.