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Exam guide & reading text

The Corner NoticeboardPart 3: Word Formation

"The Corner Noticeboard" 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

At the entrance to a community hall, a noticeboard began as a practical list of opening times but slowly acquired a different role. It gradually became a point of (17) .......... for people adding offers of help, local questions and sketches of lost pets. What made the board successful was not its polish but the (18) .......... it invited from people who had never attended a formal meeting. Messages were written in large type, and the board was placed where it was (19) .......... to wheelchair users and children as well as taller adults. No single person controlled its tone, which meant that an (20) .......... note could occasionally appear before someone removed it. Even so, the board grew (21) .........., because contributors could see their messages answered within days. The most useful posts were often simple (22) .........., such as a request for a ladder or an offer to share seedlings. Over time, the board helped create a stronger sense of (23) .........., without pretending that neighbours would always agree. Its value lay in being open enough to welcome different voices while remaining (24) .......... of those who did not usually speak first.

Questions summary

Question 1

Base word: CONNECT

Question 2

Base word: PARTICIPATE

Question 3

Base word: ACCESS

Question 4

Base word: WELCOME

Question 5

Base word: STEADY

Question 6

Base word: SUGGEST

Question 7

Base word: NEIGHBOUR

Question 8

Base word: INCLUDE