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Word Formation — ESL Grammar Practice
What is the Word Formation game?
Word Formation presents students with a sentence containing a missing word and a base word shown in CAPITALS in a blue box. Students must change the form of the base word — by adding a prefix, suffix or both — to produce the correct word for the gap. Each question includes an explanation of which word formation rule applies, building morphological awareness alongside grammar knowledge.
Questions are drawn from the ESLe College grammar database at B1 to C2 level, targeting the prefixes and suffixes most frequently tested in IGCSE ESL, IB English B and Cambridge B2 First examinations.
How to play
Read the sentence carefully and look at the base word in the blue box. Decide which form of that word — noun, verb, adjective or adverb — fits the gap, and which prefix or suffix produces it. Choose from four options in MCQ mode, or type the answer directly in Written mode. After answering, read the explanation to understand which rule was applied before pressing Next.
- Filter by level to target B1, B2, C1 or C2 questions
- Switch between MCQ and Written mode using the dropdown
- Explanations name the specific rule — which affix was added and why
- Score and streak are tracked throughout the session
Why word formation is essential exam practice
Word Formation tasks appear directly in Cambridge B2 First Use of English Part 3 and Cambridge C1 Advanced Use of English Part 3. Students who have not practised morphological transformation consistently underperform on these questions because the skill is highly specific — knowing a word's meaning is not enough if you cannot produce its correct derived form under time pressure. Regular practice with authentic-style questions builds the automaticity needed in the exam hall.