CAE Word Formation

Aspects of the exercise

Complexity: CAE Word Formation exercises are more complex than FCE, often requiring two or more changes to the root word. Expect to encounter less common and more intricate word formations.

Vocabulary Range: Expand your vocabulary to include less common words and word forms. Learn prefixes and suffixes in depth.

Sentence Structure: Sentences in CAE Word Formation exercises may involve more complex structures, including passive voice, conditionals, and more nuanced grammatical elements. 

Contextual Understanding: Understanding context becomes more critical at this level, given the added complexity of grammar structures and less common vocabulary. This added complexity gives learners the increased ability to express more complex ideas. Practice discerning the meaning and nuances of sentences to accurately select the appropriate word form. 

Precision: Precision is crucial in CAE. Pay close attention to subtle differences in word meaning and usage.

Preparation Advice:

• Develop a strong vocabulary that includes less common words and their word forms.
• Work with exercises that require multiple changes to a root word.
• Practice forming words within complex sentences with different grammatical structures.
• Focus on reading and comprehending texts with various levels of complexity to enhance contextual understanding. 
• Read the exercise and sentences carefully and fully to make sure you fully understand the context before answering. 
• Fine-tune your understanding of word meanings and nuances by reading extensively and using a thesaurus.