B2 · Vocabulary
Word Formation — Prefixes
Lesson Handout
Why prefixes matter
⚠ FCE Part 3 regularly tests words with prefixes. A negative prefix changes a word to its opposite; other prefixes change meaning. You must choose the right prefix.
Examples in context
More prefix examples
Summary
B2 · Vocabulary
Word Formation — Prefixes
Worksheet
Name: ___________________________ Date: _______________
Add the correct prefix (10 points)
Add the correct prefix to the word in brackets.
1. The government ______ (estimate) the cost of the renewable energy transition.☐ underestimated☐ overestimated☐ misestimated
2. Workers in the sector need to be ______ (trained) as automation takes over their roles.☐ retrained☐ untrained☐ mistrained
3. Many employees feel ______ (whelmed) by the constant changes in their workplace.☐ overwhelmed☐ underwhelmed☐ miswhelmed
4. The report ______ (led) the public about the actual level of carbon emissions.☐ misled☐ underled☐ unled
5. The healthcare sector is chronically ______ (funded) in many parts of the world.☐ underfunded☐ unfunded☐ misfunded
Complete with the correct prefix + base word (8 points)
6. The policy cuts will ______ the entire welfare system. (MINE) ___________
7. She worked so hard she completely ______ herself before the deadline. (WORK) ___________
8. The number of freelance workers has ______ the number of permanent staff. (NUMBER) ___________
9. We need to ______ our approach to tackling inequality. (THINK) ___________
10. The manager ______ her team by taking all the credit. (LEAD) ___________
11. The economy ______ all expectations after the introduction of the green energy policy. (PERFORM) ___________
12. The new regulations aim to ______ misuse of personal data. (VENT) ___________
13. Digital devices have made it possible for communities to ______ across borders. (ACT) ___________
FCE Part 3 — prefix text (6 points)
14. Automation has created a deeply ______ (certain) future for many workers. Governments have consistently ______ (estimated) the speed of technological change, leaving whole industries without adequate support. The fear of ______ (employment) is widespread, and many workers feel ______ (whelmed) by the pace of change. Experts argue that the key is to ______ (train) workers before they lose their jobs, rather than after — a truly ______ (ventive) approach that few governments have yet adopted.
___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________ ___________
B2 · Vocabulary
Word Formation — Prefixes
Answer Key
1. underestimated
2. retrained
3. overwhelmed
4. misled
5. underfunded
6. Open task — assess individually
7. Open task — assess individually
8. Open task — assess individually
9. Open task — assess individually
10. Open task — assess individually
11. Open task — assess individually
12. Open task — assess individually
13. Open task — assess individually
14. Open task — assess individually