Use of English - Word Formation
C2
Cambridge English C2 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.
Living Heritage
Cultural heritage is often discussed as if it were a static collection of monuments, artefacts and traditions, but in reality its survival depends on active human (0) INVOLVEMENT (INVOLVE). Without careful protection, historic buildings fall into disrepair, oral traditions fade, and local customs risk becoming little more than museum pieces. The growing (1) .......... (AWARE) of these dangers has encouraged governments and communities to invest in preservation projects. Yet conservation is not simply about resisting change. A completely (2) .......... (CRITICISE) attitude to modern development can be as damaging as neglect, especially when it ignores the needs of those who actually live in historic areas. What is required is a (3) .......... (BALANCE) approach, one that respects the past without making the present unworkable. Public support is also essential, since official measures alone are often (4) .......... (SUFFICIENT) to protect fragile traditions. In many places, the revival of festivals, crafts and minority languages has strengthened people’s sense of identity and reduced the feeling of cultural (5) .......... (ALIEN). Such efforts can also bring economic benefits, attracting visitors and encouraging (6) .......... (INVEST) in local infrastructure. However, there is always a danger of (7) .......... (COMMERCE), when traditions are reshaped purely to satisfy tourists. For this reason, long-term planning and genuine community participation remain (8) .......... (DISPENSE) to any successful heritage policy.
About Use of English Word Formation — Cambridge English C2
This Cambridge English C2 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 C2 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.