Cambridge Exam English (Part 3): Word formation

In this part of the exam the candidate is given the most basic form of a word, known as “the root” form. You need to change the prefix or suffix to adapt the word into the correct form and make it fit in the 8 gaps in the text so that it makes perfect sense.

The best way to do this exercise is to focus on the word class (type of word: noun, verb, adjective, adverb), grammar (singular or plural, verb tenses, +/-) and spelling. The words must be spelled correctly and if a capital letter is needed, it must be used.

You ought to think of this as a 3 step process:

What type of word do I want? Noun, verb, adjective or adverb.
What grammar is needed? Singular or plural noun, the tense of the verb

Is it affirmative or negative? Which prefix or suffix do I need?

To aid the candidate´s understanding of this part of the exam. we have included a prefix and suffix list, high frequency root words list and also example sentences with answers in the extra resource section.

The best way to improve this part of the exam is to focus on the root words and learn all of the different word classes for each one. We have provided a comprehensive list for you.

Download these words in PDF HERE

ROOT

VERB

NOUN

ADJECTIVE

ADVERB

ABSENT	N/A	ABSENCE	ABSENT	ABSENTLY
APPROPRIATE	APPROPRIATE	N/A	APPROPRIATE	APPROPRIATELY
ATTRACT	ATTRACT	ATTRACTION	ATTRACTIVE	ATTRACTIVELY
ABLE	ENABLE	ABILITY	ABLE	N/A
ACCURATE	N/A	ACCURACY	ACCURATE	ACCURATELY
ASSIST	ASSIST	ASSISTANCE	ASSISTED	N/A
APPEAR	APPEAR	APPEARANCE	APPEARED	N/A
ADVANCE	ADVANCE	ADVANCEMENT	ADVANCED	N/A
ADD	ADD	ADDITION	ADDED	N/A
ADDICT	ADDICT	ADDICTION	ADDICTED	ADDITIVELY
ARGUE	ARGUE	ARGUMENT	ARGUMENTATIVE	ARGUMENTATIVELY
ACT	ACT	ACTION	N/A	N/A
AFFORD	AFFORD	N/A	AFFORDABLE	N/A
ADVISE	ADVISE	ADVICE	ADVISED	ADVISINGLY
ARRANGE	ARRANGE	ARRANGEMENT	ARRANGED	N/A

BEGIN	BEGIN	BEGINNING	BEGUN	N/A
BELIEVE	BELIEVE	BELIEF	BELIEVED	N/A
BORE	BORE	BOREDOM	BORED/BORING	BORINGLY
BRAVE	BRAVE (OUT)	BRAVERY	BRAVE	BRAVELY
BEHAVE	BEHAVE	BEHAVIOUR	BEHAVED	N/A
BLOCK	BLOCK	BLOCKAGE	BLOCKED	N/A
BROAD	BROADEN	N/A	BROAD	N/A
BEG	BEG	BEGGAR	BEGGED	BEGGINGLY
BELONG	BELONG	BELONGING(S)	N/A	N/A
BOOK	BOOK	BOOKING	BOOKED	N/A

CREDIT	N/A	CREDIT	CREDITED	N/A
CREATE	CREATE	CREATION	CREATED	N/A
COMMON	N/A	COMMONER	COMMON	COMMONLY
COME	COME	N/A	N/A	N/A
CHARGE	CHARGE	CHARGE/ CHARGER	CHARGED	N/A
COVER	COVER	COVER	COVERED	N/A
CERTAIN	N/A	CERTAINTY	CERTAIN	CERTAINLY
CYCLE	CYCLE	CYCLE/BICYCLE	N/A	N/A
CHOOSE	CHOOSE	CHOICE	CHOSEN	N/A
COLLECT	COLLECT	COLLECTION	COLLECTED	COLLECTIVELY
CONFIDE	CONFIDE	CONFIDENCE	CONFIDENT	CONFIDENTLY
CONTINUE	CONTINUE	CONTINUATION	CONTINUED	N/A
COMBINE	COMBINE	COMBINATION	COMBINED	N/A
CONTAIN	CONTAIN	CONTAINER	CONTAINED	N/A
CORRECT	CORRECT	CORRECTION	CORRECTED	N/A
CALL	CALL/RECALL	CALL	N/A	N/A
COMPLAIN	COMPLAIN	COMPLAINT	N/A	N/A

CONSIDER

CONSIDERATION

N/A

DESCRIBE	DESCRIBE	DESCRIPTION	DESCRIBED	N/A
DIFFER	DIFFER	DIFFERENCE	DIFFERENT	DIFFERENTLY
DANGER	ENDANGER	DANGER	DANGEROUS	DANGEROUSLY
DEPEND	DEPEND	DEPENDENCE	DEPENDENT	DEPENDENTLY
DESIGN	DESIGN	DESIGN	DESIGNED	N/A
DECIDE	DECIDE	DECISION	DECIDED	DECIDEDLY
DENY	DENY	DENIAL	DENIED	DENYINGLY
DEVELOP	DEVELOP	DEVELOPMENT/DEVELOPER	DEVELOPED	N/A
DISTANT	DISTANCE	DISTANCE	DISTANT	DISTANTLY
DESTROY	DESTROY	DESTRUCTION	DESTROYED	N/A
DETAIN	DETAIN	DETENTION	DETAINED	N/A
DISAPPOINT	DISAPPOINT	DISAPPOINTMENT	DISAPPOINTED	DISAPPOINTEDLY
DELIVER	DEVIVER	DELIVERY	DELIVERED	N/A
DO	DO	N/A	DONE	N/A
DEAL	DEAL	DEALING/DEALER	DEALT	N/A

EASY	EASE	EASE	EASY	EASILY
EXTREME	N/A	N/A	EXTREME	EXTREMELY
EMOTION	EMOTE	EMOTION	EMOTIONAL	EMOTIONALLY
EXCITE	EXCITE	EXCITEMENT	EXCITED/EXCITING	EXCITEDLY
EXCEPT	EXCEPT	EXCEPTION	N/A	N/A
EFFECT	N/A	EFFECT	EFFECTIVE	EFFECTIVELY
ENJOY	ENJOY	ENJOYMENT	ENJOYED	ENJOYINGLY
EQUIP	EQUIP	EQUIPMENT	EQUIPPED	N/A
ELECTRIC	ELECTROCUTE	ELECTRICITY	ELECTRIC	ELECTRICALLY
EMPLOY	EMPLOY	EMPLOYMENT	EMPLOYED	N/A
EVADE	EVADE	EVASION	EVADED	EVADINGLY
ERODE	ERODE	EROSION	ERODED	N/A
EMIT	EMIT	EMISSION	EMITTED	N/A
EXPLODE	EXPLOSE	EXPLOSION	EXPLODED	N/A
ENDURE	ENDURE	ENDURANCE	ENDURED	N/A
EDUCATE	EDUCATE	EDUCATION	EDUCATED	N/A
EAGER	N/A	EAGERNESS	EAGER	EAGERLY
END	END	ENDING	N/A	N/A
EARN	EARN	EARNINGS	EARNED	N/A
EXPECT	EXPECT	EXPECTATION	EXPECTED	EXPECTEDLY

FORTUNATE	N/A	FORTUNE	FORTUNATE	FORTUNATELY
FAR	N/A	N/A	FAR/FURTHER	N/A
FASCINATE	FASCINATE	FASCINATION	FASCINATED	FASCINATINGLY
FEED	FEED	FEED	FED	N/A
FANTASY	FANTASIZE	FANTASY	FANTASTIC	FANTASTICALLY
FEEL	FEEL	FEELING	FELT	N/A
FREE	FREE	FREEDOM	FREE	FREELY
FIND	FIND	FINDINGS	FOUND	N/A
FOLLOW	FOLLOW	FOLLOWER	FOLLOWED	N/A
FLY	FLY	FLIGHT	N/A	N/A

GROW	GROW	GROWTH	GROWN	GROWINGLY
GET	GET/FORGET	N/A	FORGETFUL	FORGETFULLY
GATHER	GATHER	GATHERING	GATHERED	N/A
GAIN	GAIN	N/A	GAINED	N/A
GO	GO/UNDERGO	GONER	GONE	N/A
GUESS	GUESS	GUESS	GUESSED	GUESSINGLY
GAMBLE	GAMBLE	GAMBLER	GAMBLED	N/A

HEAL	HEAL	HEALTH	HEALTHY	HEALTHILY
HIGH	HEIGHTEN	HEIGHT	HIGH	HIGHLY
HUMAN	HUMANIZE	HUMAN	HUMANE	HUMANELY
HAPPY	N/A	HAPPINESS	HAPPY	HAPPILY
HOOK	HOOK	HOOK	HOOKED	N/A
HOLD	HOLD	HOLDING	HELD	N/A
HAND	HAND (IN)	HAND	HANDY	HANDILY
HELP	HELP	HELP/HELPER/HELPING	HELPFUL/HELPLESS	HELPFULLY/HELPLESSLY

IMPRESS	IMPRESS	IMPRESSION	IMPRESSIVELY	IMPRESSIVELY
ILL	N/A	ILLNESS	ILL	N/A
INTEND	INTEND	INTENTION	INTENDED	INTENTIONALLY
IMPROVE	IMPROVE	IMPROVEMENT	IMPROVED	N/A
INFORM	INFORM	INFORMATION	INFORMED/INFORMATIVE	INFORMATIVELY
INSIST	INSIST	INSISTENCE	INSISTENT	INSISTENTLY
INSTANT	N/A	INSTANT/INSTANCE	INSTANT	INSTANTLY
INTEREST	INTEREST	INTEREST	INTERESTED/INTERESTING	INTERESTINGLY
INVENT	INVENT	INVENTION	INVENTED	N/A
IMPORT	IMPORT	IMPORTATION	IMPORTED	N/A
IMAGINE	IMAGINE	IMAGINATION	IMAGINATIVE	IMAGINATIVELY
ILLUSTRATE	ILLUSTRATE	ILLUSTRATION	ILLUSTRATED	N/A
INVEST	INVEST	INVESTMENT	INVESTED	N/A
INSTRUCT	INSTRUCT	INSTRUCTION	INSTRUCTIVE	INSTRUCTIVELY

KNOW	KNOW	KNOWLEDGE	KNOWLEDGEABLE	N/A
KNACKER	KNACKER	N/A	KNACKERED	N/A

LONG	LENGTHEN	LENGTH	LENGTH	N/A
LOSE	LOSE	LOSS	LOST	N/A
LUCK	N/A	LUCK	LUCKY	LUCKILY
LAND	LAND	LANDING	LANDED	N/A
LIE	LIE	LIE/LIAR	N/A	N/A

MIX	MIX	MIXTURE	MIXED	N/A
MOVE	MOVE/REMOVE	MOVEMENT	MOVED	MOVINGLY
MEASURE	MEASURE	MEASUREMENT	MEASURED	N/A
MEAN	MEAN	MEANING	N/A	N/A
MATURE	N/A	MATURITY	MATURE	MATURELY
MEMORY	MEMORIZE	MEMORY	MEMORIZED	N/A
MANAGE	MANAGE	MANAGEMENT	MANAGED	N/A
MARK	MARK	MARK	MARKED	N/A

NATURE	NATURALIZE	NATURE	NATURAL	NATURAL
NEED	NEED	NECESSITY	NEEDY	N/A
NEW	RENEW	RENEWAL	NEW/RENEWABLE	N/A
NOISE	N/A	NOISE	NOISY	NOISILY
NOTE	NOTICE	NOTE/NOTICE	NOTABLE	NOTABLY

OPEN	OPEN	OPENING	OPEN	N/A
ORIGIN	ORIGINATE	ORIGIN	ORIGINAL	ORIGINALLY
OCCUPY	OCCUPY	OCCUPATION	OCCUPIED	N/A
OWN	OWN	OWNER	OWNED	OWINGLY
ORDER	ORDER	ORDER	ORDERED	ORDEREDLY

PICK	PICK	PICKINGS	PICKY	PICKILY
PEACE	N/A	PEACE	PEACEFUL	PEACEFULLY
PLEASE	PLEASE	PLEASURE	PLEASANT	PLEASANTLY
POPULAR	POPULATE	POPULATION	POPULAR	POPULARLY
PERFORM	PERFORM	PERFORMANCE
PERFECT	PERFECT	PERFECTION	PERFECT	PERFECTLY
POSSIBLE	N/A	POSSIBILITY	POSSIBLE	POSSIBLY
POSITIVE	N/A	POSITIVITY	POSITIVE	POSITIVELY
PRACTICE	PRACTISE	PRACTICE	PRACTICAL	PRACTICALLY
PATIENT	N/A	PATIENCE	PATIENT	PATIENTLY
PROVE	PROVE	PROOF	PROVABLE	N/A
PRODUCE	PRODUCE	PRODUCT/PRODUCTION	PRODUCED	N/A
PRESS	PRESS	PRESS/PRESSURE	PRESSURIZED	N/A
PROUD	N/A	PRIDE	PROUD	N/A
PRONOUNCE	PRONOUNCE	PRONUNCIATION	PRONOUNCED	N/A
PAIN	N/A	PAIN	PAINFUL	PAINFULLY
PACK	PACK	PACKAGE	PACKED	N/A
PLAY	PLAY	PLAYER	PLAYFUL	PLAYFULLY
PAY	PAY	PAYMENT	PAID	N/A

PUNISH

PUNISHMENT

PUNISHED

N/A

RECYCLE	RECYCLE	RECYCLING	RECYCLED	N/A
REPAIR	REPAIR	REPAIRS	REPAIRED	N/A
REMARK	REMARK	REMARKS	N/A	N/A
RELY	RELY	RELIANCE	RELIABLE	RELIABLY
RELAX	RELAX	RELAXATION	RELAXED/RELAXING	RELAXINGLY
RESPOND	RESPOND	RESPONSE	RESPONSIVE	RESPONSIVELY
RESIDE	RESIDE	RESIDENT/RESIDENCE	RESIDED	N/A
REGRET	REGRET	REGRET	REGRETFUL	REGRETFULLY
REGARD	REGARD	REGARDS	REGARDED	N/A
REFUSE	REFUSE	REFUSAL	REFUSED	N/A

SEARCH	SEARCH	SEARCH	N/A	N/A
SURROUND	SURROUND	SURROUNDING	SURROUNDED	N/A
SPEND	SPEND	EXPENSE(S)	EXPENSIVE	EXPENSIVELY
SUPPORT	SUPPORT	SUPPORT/SUPPORTER	SUPPORTIVE	SUPPORTIVELY
STATE	STATE	STATEMENT	STATED	N/A
SATISFY	SATISFY	SATISFACTION	SATISFIED/SATISFYING	SATISFYINGLY
SURRENDER	SURRENDER	SURRENDER	SURRENDERED	N/A
STARE	STARE	STARE	N/A	N/A
SUCCESS	SUCCEED	SUCCESS	SUCCESSFUL	SUCCESSFULLY
SOLVE	SOLVE	SOLUTION	SOLVED	N/A
SCIENCE	N/A	SCIENCE/SCIENTIST	SCIENTIFIC	N/A
SUIT	SUIT	SUIT	SUITABLE	SUITABLY
SURPRISE	SURPRISE	SURPRISE	SURPRISED/SURPRISING	SURPRISINGLY
SURE	ENSURE	SECURITY	SURE	SURELY
STRONG	STRENGTHEN	STRENGTH	STRONG	STRONGLY
SURVIVE	SURVIVE	SURVIVAL	SURVIVED	N/A
SOCIAL	SOCIALIZE	SOCIETY	SOCIAL	SOCIALLY
SENSE	SENSE	SENSE	SENSITIVE	SENTETIVELY
STORE	STORE	STORAGE	STORED	N/A
SIGNIFY	SIGNIFY	SIGNIFICANCE	SIGNIFICANT	SIGNIFICANTLY

SUGGEST	SUGGEST	SUGGESTION	SUGGESTIVE	SUGGESTIVELY
STUBBORN	N/A	STUBBORNESS	STUBBORN	STUBBORNLY
SPECIAL	SPECIALIZE	SPECIALITY	SPECIAL	SPECIALLY
SHAME	SHAME	SHAME	ASHAMED	ASHAMINGLY

TRUE	N/A	TRUTH	TRUE	TRULY
TYPE	TYPE	TYPE	TYPICAL	TYPICALLY
TOLERATE	TOLERATE	TOLERATION	TOLERATED	N/A
TEST	TEST	TEST	TESTED	TESTEDLY
TALK	TALK	TALK	TALKATIVE	N/A

USE	USE	USE/USAGE	USEFUL	USEFULLY
UNDERSTAND	UNDERSTAND	UNDERSTANDING	UNDERSTOOD/UNDERSTANDING	UNDERSTANDINGLY

VARY	VARY	VARIETY	VARIED	N/A
VALUE	VALUE	VALUE	VALUABLE	VALUABLY

WHOLE	N/A	WHOLE	WHOLE	WHOLEY
WIDE	WIDEN	WIDTH	WIDE	WIDELY
WEIGH	WEIGH	WEIGHT	N/A	N/A
WARN	WARN	WARNING	WARNED	WARNINGLY
WIN	WIN	WINNINGS	WON	N/A
WORRY	WORRY	WORRY	WORRIED	WORRIEDLY
WORK	WORK	WORK	HARDWORKING	N/A
WEAR	WEAR	N/A	WORN	N/A
WINGE	WINGE	WINGE	WINGING	N/A
WARRANT	WARRANT	WARRANTY	N/A	N/A
WIND	WIND	N/A	WOUND (UP)	N/A

Download these words in PDF HERE