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Exam guide & reading text

The Useful DisagreementPart 3: Word Formation

"The Useful Disagreement" 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

Teams often say they value disagreement, although their habits can tell a different story. Productive (17) .......... depends on members knowing that a challenge is aimed at an idea, not a person. When a group avoids difficult choices for too long, apparent harmony can conceal a lack of (18) ........... A good leader remains (19) .......... to new evidence, even after a plan has been announced. By contrast, an (20) .......... manager may interpret every question as resistance. Useful discussions are not necessarily calm, but they are (21) .......... guided by a shared purpose. They also distinguish urgent matters from ordinary (22) .........., so attention is not consumed by every interruption. Over time, this approach creates a sense of (23) ..........: people know their observations can change what happens next. The result is a more (24) .......... culture, in which disagreement produces clearer action rather than personal rivalry.

Questions summary

Question 1

Base word: COLLABORATE

Question 2

Base word: DECIDE

Question 3

Base word: RESPOND

Question 4

Base word: FLEXIBLE

Question 5

Base word: CONSISTENT

Question 6

Base word: PRIORITY

Question 7

Base word: EMPOWER

Question 8

Base word: CONSTRUCT