What it tests
Word formation: choosing the right part of speech (noun, adjective, adverb, verb) and the right prefix or suffix.
In the exam: part IV, 5 tasks.
Step by step
- Look at the word just before the gap: an article or possessive (a, the, his) usually needs a noun; be, become, very usually need an adjective.
- Look at the word after the gap: before a noun you usually need an adjective; after a verb you may need an adverb.
- Decide the part of speech, then choose the option with that ending.
- Check the meaning: positive or negative (un-, in-, im-, dis-, -less), singular or plural.
- Read the sentence again with the word in place.
Watch out for
- Noun forms that look alike: success / succession, economy / economics.
- -ed and -ing adjectives: bored (how I feel) / boring (what causes it).
- Adjective instead of adverb after a verb: speak fluent ✕ / speak fluently ✓.
Example
…parents with a high level of ____ … a) education b) educational c) educate d) educated
a) education — after “a high level of” we need a noun.