Cambridge English: Advanced

CAE Word Formation

Video tutorial

Part 3 of the CAE Reading and Use of English Paper is called 'Word Formation'. Watch our short, 4 minute video explaining the Word Formation task.

CAE Word Formation Practice

Part 3 of the Reading and Use of English paper, Word Formation consists of a short text with 8 gaps with an additional gap as an example at the beginning. The candidate has to complete each gap with the correct form of the stem word, which appears in capitals at the end of the line.

Part 3 tests your knowledge of how words are formed in English, including the use of prefixes and suffixes and spelling rules associated with these changes. Let's try some examples.

Parts of Speech
These exercises give practice in identifying the part of speech (verb, noun, adjective, adverb) that is needed. There are three exercises in all.

• Word Formation: Parts of speech
• Word Formation: Parts of speech

Forming Nouns, Verbs and Adjectives
Forming nouns, verbs and adjectives with a range of common prefixes and suffixes.

• Word Formation: Nouns, verbs and adjectives
• Word Formation: Nouns, verbs and adjectives

Forming compound words
Compound words (some of which are hyphenated).

• Word Formation: Forming compound words

Common 'internal' changes.
This exercise gives practice in word forms where you have to change the whole word before adding a suffix or prefix if needed.

• Word Formation: Common internal changes

Tricky word forms.
This exercise is designed to help you with some commonly misspelt words.

• Word Formation: Tricky spellings

Exam tips
Read the complete text first to get a global understanding of the content. Examine the sentence structure to identify the part of speech required such as a noun verb, adjective or adverb.

That's the end of this video. If you'd like further practice in the new CAE exam visit the Flo-Joe website at www.flo-joe.co.uk.

Practice

Ready to try some Word Formation practice tests? Try these:

• Part 3 Word Formation Practice Tests