Skip to main content
Exam guide & reading text

Signals Beyond the ScreenPart 3: Word Formation

"Signals Beyond the Screen" focuses on Word Formation (Part 3), where a base word in capitals must be transformed to fit a gap in the text. Cambridge tests prefixation, suffixation, internal changes and negative forms. Before writing, identify the word class required (noun, adjective, adverb or verb) and whether the sentence needs a negative or comparative form. Spelling accuracy matters — an otherwise correct stem with a typo scores zero.

Read the full Part 3: Word Formation strategy guide →

Reading text

Online contact can be frequent without feeling close. A strong (17) .......... is built not only from messages sent, but from the sense that another person is paying attention. That feeling depends partly on (18) .........., the ability to imagine how a comment may land with someone else. An (19) .......... pause can be considerate when it gives a difficult conversation room to breathe. By contrast, an (20) .......... reply can make even a friendly exchange feel automated. Important feelings are best expressed (21) .........., rather than left to hints. Small (22) .......... can grow when a short message is read without context. For this reason, people often form a quick (23) .......... of another’s mood from very little evidence. The most (24) .......... friends are not those who respond instantly, but those who make room for honest clarification.

Questions summary

Question 1

Base word: CONNECT

Question 2

Base word: EMPATHETIC

Question 3

Base word: INTEND

Question 4

Base word: PERSONAL

Question 5

Base word: GENUINE

Question 6

Base word: MISUNDERSTAND

Question 7

Base word: PERCEIVE

Question 8

Base word: ATTEND