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  • Part 3

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    🧩 FCE Reading and Use of English Part 3: Word Formation

    Part 3 of the FCE (B2 First) exam tests a student’s knowledge of Word Formation. The task consists of a short text with 8 gaps. At the end of each line containing a gap, there is a „stem word” written in CAPITAL LETTERS. The student’s job is to change this stem word so that it fits correctly into the sentence, both grammatically and logically.

    Students earn 1 point for each correct answer. The stem word must be changed—it cannot be left in its original form!

    🔍 What exactly does this task test?

    This section evaluates the ability to use prefixes and suffixes to change the class and meaning of words.

    • Parts of Speech: Changing a verb to a noun, an adjective to an adverb, etc. (e.g., INFORM ➡️ INFORMATION).
    • Negative Meanings: Adding negative prefixes to fit the context (e.g., HAPPY ➡️ UNHAPPY, BELIEVE ➡️ DISBELIEVE).
    • Plurals: Recognizing when a noun must be pluralized (e.g., CHILD ➡️ CHILDREN).
    • Internal Changes: Adjusting the spelling within the word’s root (e.g., LONG ➡️ LENGTH).

    📋 The Step-by-Step Strategy

    Teaching students a systematic approach is the key to mastering Part 3. Share these 5 steps with them:

    1. The „Blind” Read: Before changing any words, read the entire text to grasp the overall meaning, tone, and context.
    2. Identify the Part of Speech: Look at the words immediately before and after the gap. Does the sentence need a noun (e.g., after an article like the), an adjective (before a noun), a verb, or an adverb (describing an action)?
    3. Check the Context (Positive or Negative?): This is the biggest trap! A word might fit grammatically but destroy the logic of the sentence. If the sentence says, „It was highly [blank] that he would win, considering his broken leg,” and the stem is PROBABLE, the answer is IMPROBABLE, not just probable.
    4. Check for Plurals: If the missing word is a noun, check if the surrounding grammar (like the verb are instead of is, or quantifiers like many) requires a plural form.
    5. Watch Your Spelling: Cambridge examiners are strict. Remind students about double consonants (e.g., BEGIN ➡️ BEGINNING) and changing -y to -i (e.g., RELY ➡️ RELIABLE).

    💡 Tips and „Hacks” for Students

    • The Adverb Trick: If a gap is at the very beginning of a sentence and is followed by a comma (e.g., [blank], the weather ruined our plans. FORTUNATE), the answer is almost always an adverb ending in -ly. Don’t forget to check if it needs to be negative, too! (In this case, Unfortunately).
    • Learn Word Families: Instead of memorizing isolated words, students should learn whole families. For example: succeed (verb), success (noun), successful (adjective), successfully (adverb), unsuccessful (negative adjective).
    • Never Leave a Blank: Just like in Part 2, points are not deducted for wrong answers. If they don’t know, they should guess by adding a common suffix like -tion, -ment, or -ness.