FCE word formation (Part 3): how to get every gap right
FCE word formation is Part 3 of Reading and Use of English: a short text with 8 gaps, and for each gap you change a given word in capitals so it fits, for example HOPE → hopeless. You need the right word class, the right form and the right spelling. It is part of our Reading and Use of English guide.
By Eleanor BennettLast updated:
What Part 3 tests
In Part 3 you read a short text with 8 gaps. At the end of each line with a gap there is a word in capitals, called the stem. You must change the stem so that it fits the gap grammatically and makes sense. Each correct answer is worth 1 mark, and this part counts towards your Use of English score.
The changes you will need are usually one or more of these:
- Changing the word class: verb → noun (decide → decision), noun → adjective (danger → dangerous), adjective → adverb (careful → carefully).
- Adding a negative prefix: un-, in-, im-, il-, ir-, dis-, mis- (patient → impatient, understand → misunderstanding).
- Making a plural noun: the main requirements*, several improvements*.
- Making a person noun: science → scientist, assist → assistant.
- Two changes at once: believe → unbelievably, employ → unemployment.
- Internal spelling changes: explain → explanation, long → length, pronounce → pronunciation.
The best preparation is to learn complete word families. Our FCE word formation list has more than 120 families grouped by suffix and prefix, and the word formation trainer lets you drill them in short sessions. Many mistakes in this part are spelling mistakes, which we cover on our common mistakes page.
Four questions for every gap
- 1
1. What word class do I need?
Look at the words around the gap. After an article or adjective you need a noun (a great ___). Before a noun you usually need an adjective (a ___ decision). Next to a verb you often need an adverb (worked ___). After to or a modal you need a verb.
- 2
2. Positive or negative?
Read the whole sentence and the one before. If the context is critical or describes a problem, you may need a negative prefix: The plan was completely ___ (PRACTICAL) → impractical.
- 3
3. Singular or plural?
If the noun has no article and the verb is plural, or there is a word like many, several or these, add -s. This is one of the easiest marks to lose.
- 4
4. Is the spelling right?
Check doubled letters (beginning, forgotten), dropped e (believable), changed y (happiness) and internal changes (explanation). A misspelled answer gets no mark.
- 5
Read the full text again
Finally, read the text with your words in it. Does each sentence make sense? Have you used a noun where an adjective is needed?
Common traps
Trap: Writing an adjective where a noun is needed: The popular of the app surprised its creators.
Fix: After the and before of, you need a noun: popularity.
Trap: Forgetting the negative: Many people find it ___ to work on Sundays (ACCEPT). Answer written: acceptable.
Fix: If the context suggests a problem or complaint, the answer may be unacceptable. Always reread the whole sentence.
Trap: Using the wrong negative prefix: unpossible, inresponsible, unlegal.
Fix: Learn the patterns: im- before p/m (impossible), ir- before r (irresponsible), il- before l (illegal). Some words just need memorising: dishonest, unable.
Trap: Forgetting a plural: There have been many ___ in medicine (DEVELOP). Answer written: development.
Fix: Many needs a plural noun: developments.
Trap: Confusing the person and the thing: She works as a ___ (PHOTOGRAPH). Answer written: photography.
Fix: A job is a person noun: photographer. Photography is the activity.
Trap: Confusing -ed and -ing adjectives: The ending of the film was ___ (DISAPPOINT).
Fix: -ing describes the thing that causes the feeling (disappointing); -ed describes how a person feels (I was disappointed).
Worked example: an original word formation text
The task
Use the word in capitals to form a word that fits each gap.
A library for everyone
Our town's new library has been a real (1) ___ (SUCCEED). The staff are extremely (2) ___ (HELP), and the opening hours are (3) ___ (EXPECT) long. Membership is free, which is a great (4) ___ (ATTRACT) for students. The only (5) ___ (ADVANTAGE) is that the café is rather small.
- 1.
Gap 1: After a real we need a noun. The noun from succeed is success. Notice the spelling: double c, double s. Answer: success.
- 2.
Gap 2: After extremely we need an adjective that describes people in a positive way. Answer: helpful (one l at the end).
- 3.
Gap 3: The gap comes before the adjective long, so we need an adverb. The writer is pleasantly surprised, so the meaning is "more than people thought": unexpectedly. This needs two changes: the prefix un- and the suffix -ly.
- 4.
Gap 4: After a great we need a noun. Attraction means something that makes people want to come. Answer: attraction.
- 5.
Gap 5: The only ___ is that... introduces a problem, so we need the negative noun: disadvantage. If you wrote advantage, the sentence would not make sense with rather small.
Answer
1 success · 2 helpful · 3 unexpectedly · 4 attraction · 5 disadvantage
How to prepare for word formation
Do not learn single words. Learn the whole family together: compete, competition, competitor, competitive, competitively, uncompetitive. When you meet a new word in your reading, look it up in a learner's dictionary and note its noun, verb, adjective and adverb forms.
Spend five minutes a day with the word formation trainer, then do a timed set. Our free word formation practice has explanations for each answer. The same word families often appear as the answer in Part 1 and in Part 4, so this work pays off across the paper.
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Practice · Reading & Use of English Part 3
Practise FCE word formation
FCE word formation: FAQ
How many gaps are there in FCE word formation?
There are 8 gaps, each worth 1 mark. Part 3 counts towards your Use of English score.
Do I lose the mark for a spelling mistake?
Yes. The answer must be spelled correctly. Pay special attention to double letters and internal changes like pronounce → pronunciation.
Can the answer need two changes?
Yes, and these are often the hardest gaps. For example, COMFORT can become uncomfortable, with a prefix and a suffix.
What are the most common suffixes in Part 3?
For nouns: -tion, -ment, -ness, -ity, -ance/-ence. For adjectives: -ful, -less, -able/-ible, -ous, -ive, -al. For adverbs: -ly.
How can I learn word families quickly?
Study them in groups by suffix, test yourself regularly and use them in your own sentences. Our word formation list and trainer are designed for this.