English Advanced Grammar Exercises – Word formation 2: other sources

A. Put the words in the box next to the correct headings in the table, then check in a dictionary.

Without looking back at the unit, can you think of any more words for each topic?

B. Combine each pair of words to form a new word that matches each definition. Try to make at least six words. Use a dictionary if necessary.

1   breakfast / lunch

      A meal you eat in the middle of the morning.   ………………

2   camera / recorder

      A portable machine for making video films.   ………………

3   motor / hotel

      A place where drivers can stop to spend the night in the middle of a long journey.   ………………

4   helicopter / port

      A place to land a helicopter.   ………………

5   Internet / etiquette

      A set of rules for how to communicate with people online.   ………………

6   smoke / fog

      A form of air pollution which makes it difficult for people to breathe.   ………………

7   cybernetic / organism

      A kind of machine which has some natural parts as well as artificial ones.   ………………

8   fans / magazine

      An unofficial newsletter for people who like a famous person or sports team.   ………………

9   travel / monologue

      A documentary or journal in which someone describes a journey.   ………………

10   television / marathon

      A television programme lasting several hours which tries to raise money for good causes.   ………………

C. Complete each sentence, using an adjective formed from the name in brackets. Use a dictionary if necessary.

1   The shop lights and the snow on the ground gave the street an almost …………………. appearance. (Charles Dickens)

2   The President was a …………………. leader, who used every possible trick in order to try to hold on to power. (Niccolò Machiavelli)

3   My family history contains so much greed and dishonesty it’s like a …………………. tragedy. (William Shakespeare)

4   I was so embarrassed at school today – I called my teacher ‘Dad’ by mistake! It was a real …………………. slip! (Sigmund Freud)

5   To complete the building in only eight months has been a …………………. task, but all our hard work has been worth the effort. (Hercules)

6   Gary’s not a very practical person. In fact his behaviour is almost …………………. sometimes. (Don Quixote de la Mancha)

7   Her new novel is a …………………. nightmare in which the main character loses control of his life. (Franz Kafka)

8   The government’s latest plan represents a return to the …………………. economic policies of the 1950s. (John Maynard Keynes)

D. Complete each sentence, using an abbreviated form of one of the words or phrases in the box.

1   I’d like a ………………… with milk to take away, please.

2   There was a really interesting article in the ………………… this morning.

3   I’m terrible at subjects like ………………… or Science – I prefer History.

4   I like all kinds of films, but I particularly enjoy fantasy and ………………… .

5   Before you print your assignment, use the spell check to look for ………………… .

6   I’ve decided to get fit by going to the ………………… twice a week.

7   To confirm your reservation, please send a ………………… to 0207 374885.

8   Sorry, Kelly’s not here, but call her on her ………………… .

9   Poor Tom – he spent all weekend in bed with the ………………… .

10   Is there any milk in the …………………?

E. Complete each sentence with the most appropriate plural form of the word in brackets. Use a dictionary if necessary.

1   A crowd of …………………. were waiting to photograph the actress as she left her hotel. (paparazzi)

2   My parents are planning to go to France to visit the …………………. of the Loire. (chateau)

3   This new coffee machine of yours makes amazing ………………….! (cappuccino)

4   The …………………. on the building made it look really ugly. (graffiti)

5   There have been four attempted …………………. in this country in the last ten years. (coup)

6   La Traviata and Tosca are two of my favourite …………………. . (opera)

7   We’d like two …………………. with salad, please. (lasagna)

8   The …………………. clearly proved that our theory was correct. (data)

9   Climate change may cause unusual weather …………………. . (phenomenon)

10   She is a talented director in a wide range of film …………………. . (genre)

F. Write a list of 20 words borrowed from English that are used in your own language.

………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………

G. Circle the correct option.

1   I’ve decided to buy a ………. instead of a bed, because I can also use it to sit on.

      a sauna     b anorak     c futon

2   It’s considered ………. to write an email in CAPITAL LETTERS.

      a bad netiquette

      b bad propaganda

      c a bad typo

3   We didn’t need our old car any more, so we put an ………. in the paper to try to sell it.

      a advertising

      b advert

      c advertise

4   I couldn’t sleep on the plane because the man next to me was ………. .

      a sizzling     b thudding     c snoring

5   I’m going to stay at university and study for an ………. .

      a MBA     b PhD     c BA