English Grammar Exercises for B1 B2 – Word formation 2: nouns (affixes)

A. Write at least one word from the box next to each affix.

B. Add prefixes to these words to make nouns.

5    biography

      ………………………

6    chip

      ………………………

7    smoker

      ………………………

8    wear

      ………………………

Now do the same by adding suffixes.

13 hard

      ………………………

14 spoon

      ………………………

15 weak

      ………………………

16 millionaire

      ………………………

C. Add affixes to each word to make at least three nouns.

1    vision

      ……television, revision, revisionism, visionary……

2    form

      ………………………………………………

3    market

      ………………………………………………

4    manage

      ………………………………………………

5    play

      ………………………………………………

6    rule

      ………………………………………………

D. Look at the affixes and work out what these words mean.

1    refusal

      ……when you say ‘no’……

2    misinterpretation

      ………………………………………………

3    microsecond

      ………………………………………………

4    monosyllable

      ………………………………………………

5    sociology

      ………………………………………………

6    submarine

      ………………………………………………

7    tigress

      ………………………………………………

8    applicant

E. Complete the advertisement with the correct affixes.

Calling all young business people!

After the incredible (1) popular…ity… of last year’s contest, we are starting a second (2) compet……… for teenagers who have a great business idea. The first prize, 10,000 euros to help start your business, will again be given in a special (3) present……… by Donald Fish. Sir Donald is (4) ………- president of the World Bank and is now in (5) retire……… in Florida.

Last year’s (6) winn……… was Rachel Thomas, 16, from Skegness who started an (7) ………- book company on her home computer. It wasn’t easy. First, Rachel is not an IT (8) special……… . Second, she had a big (9) ………agree……… with her parents about her business plans. However, Rachel had the (10) ………fidence and (11) commit……… to make her dream come true, and even her parents are happy now!

Remember, we are not looking for amazing (12) original………, something that will make you a business (13) ………- star, just projects which show (14) imagin……… and real (15) useful……… .

To apply, you first need to

F. Guess each noun from its definition, then underline the prefix and / or suffix.

1    You feel this emotion when what you hoped for did not happen.

      ……disappointment………

2    Scientists use this instrument to look at small things.

      …………………………………………………….

3    A situation where all the business is controlled by one company.

      …………………………………………………….

4    A path which lets you walk under a busy road.

      …………………………………………………….

5    What you feel when you aren’t happy.

      …………………………………………………….

6    This punctuation mark;

      …………………………………………………….

7    Somebody who makes and checks financial documents.

      …………………………………………………….

8    You take part in this to win something.            

      …………………………………………………….

G. Make up six new English nouns using affixes (then check if they really exist!).

1    cyber-teacher – a robot teacher

      (Not reality – yet!)

2    …………………………………………………….

3    …………………………………………………….

4    …………………………………………………….

5    …………………………………………………….

6    …………………………………………………….

H. Circle the correct option.

1    A good manag………. works hard and plays hard.

      a or     b ar     c er

2    ……….working (doing your job away from the office) is getting popular.

      a Ex     b Tele     c Mis

3    It is ……….sense to say that money brings you happiness.

      a non     b dis     c in

4    In my child………. I dreamed about opening a chocolate shop.

      a hood     b ness     c ment

5   A completely original business idea is a rar………. .

      a aty     b ety     c ity