Word Formation 2017

FASHION, EXTREME, KNOWN, POPULAR Tea is an [blank_start]extremely[blank_end] popular drink with many people. It is estimated that the consumption of tea in England alone exceeds 165 million cups daily. Despite this, the drink was virtually [blank_start]unknown[blank_end] in England until about 400 years ago. The first reference to tea in England comes in a diary written in 1660. However, its [blank_start]popularity[blank_end] really took off after the marriage of King Charles II to Catherine of Braganza. It was her great love of tea that made it [blank_start]fashionable[blank_end].

COMPLETE, HOPE, ANXIETY, DEVELOP Computers are incredibly useful in many ways. I used to have no idea about them - I was really [blank_start]hopeless[blank_end] at anything technical and felt very [blank_start]anxious[blank_end] whenever people asked me to do anything on the computer. When I first started using them, I made a lot of mistakes and would feel very embarrassed when people referred to the latest technological [blank_start]developments[blank_end] and I didn’t know what they were talking about. But now I know enough not to feel [blank_start]completely[blank_end] ignorant when my friends discuss the latest gadgets.

GENEROUS, DIFFERENT, EXHIBIT, IMPRESS We have been trying to organise a hobbies and crafts fair (ярмарка) in my school for the last two weeks. The number of interesting activities is [blank_start]impressive[blank_end] but so many students are just too [blank_start]indifferent[blank_end] to the needs of others. It makes me wonder if all teens are always so difficult to deal with. One problem concerns [blank_start]generosity[blank_end] as we need a number of volunteers to help us arrange the [blank_start]exhibition[blank_end] in such a way that won’t make anyone feel left out. Some students have been making good progress in setting up a number of detached displays which give an excellent view of the variety of activities on offer.

AVAIL, EXTREME, ABLE, VARY The cactus is a well-known native plant of deserts in the Americas which has adapted well to life in [blank_start]extremely[blank_end] dry areas. Cactuses can store enough water to [blank_start]enable[blank_end] them to survive for long periods without any rainfall. There are around 1200 different [blank_start]varieties[blank_end] of cactus. Many smaller types of cactus are considered decorative and are grown as houseplants. Cactus house plants are [blank_start]available[blank_end] in all sorts of unusual and wonderful shapes and sizes

SENSE, LIKE, CYCLE, EQUAL I have teen a keen [blank_start]cyclist[blank_end] for about nine years. When I began cycling, I found the flat roads easy but the hills almost impossible. Surprisingly, now it’s the opposite. A long flat ride can be both dull and exhausting as you never experience that fantastic feeling of freedom when speeding downhill. Years ago, going uphill left me breathless. Now I have learned to take hills slowly and steadily. Cycling is [blank_start]unlike[blank_end] any other forms of exercise I have tried; it is never a chore but always a pleasure. The physical benefits are obvious but the mental benefits are [blank_start]equally[blank_end] important; when you are travelling calmly at a [blank_start]sensible[blank_end] speed, you breathe fresh air, have time to think and can relax.

VARY, SUIT, CONSCIOUSLY, IMPRESS Even skilled interviewers may, without realising it, [blank_start]unconsciously/subconsciously[blank_end] favour people who make them feel at ease. With this in mind, if you go for an interview you should try to make a good [blank_start]impression[blank_end] from the start by presenting the interviewers with the very best version of yourself, emphasising the [blank_start]variety[blank_end] of skills you have. You must appear very positive and as enthusiastic as possible. It is for you to convince the interviewers that you are definitely the most [blank_start]suitable[blank_end] person for the job.

APPLY, AWARE, STYLE, CREATE Steve Jobs, the gifted [blank_start]creator[blank_end] of Apple computers, grew up in California as the adopted son of a very normal couple who were [blank_start]unaware[blank_end] of the potential of their genius son. When they asked each other ‘What will our son be when he’s older?’ the answer was probably not ‘He’ll be one of the richest men in America’. But that is what he became. Steve did well at school but didn’t like exam revision. He made an [blank_start]application[blank_end] for university and was given a place there, but he found it boring and soon dropped out. With a few friends he built the first Apple computer in his father’s garage and he never looked back. The rest is history: his extraordinarily creative mind brought us the iPhone and the iPad, as well as the most [blank_start]stylish[blank_end] computers around.

SENSE, KNOWN, SIMILAR, PROFIT The biggest and most [blank_start]profitable[blank_end] companies have large advertising budgets which they use to make their name familiar. When people are looking for new trainers, clothes or gadgets and have a choice between two different products — one with a label they have heard of and one which by contrast is [blank_start]unknown[blank_end] to them — they often decide on the product whose name they recognise. However, if they looked carefully at them, they might find the number of [blank_start]similarities[blank_end] between the products quite surprising. People often willingly pay extra for the name of tne designer or company without actually gaining very much in quality or style. If they are [blank_start]sensible[blank_end], they should therefore not be persuaded that something is better because of the label on it.

VALUE, PROSPER, TOTAL, CERTAIN It is [blank_start]uncertain[blank_end] when and where humans first started farming rice, but historians agree it was being grown in Asia at least 10,000 years ago. Today, rice is the most-[blank_start]valuable[blank_end] food crop in the world. About 3 billion people [blank_start]totally[blank_end] depend on it for survival. The importance of rice can also be seen in language and culture worldwide. In Asia, wedding gueists throw rice to bring [blank_start]prosperity[blank_end] to the bride and groom. And in China, cheering people welcome in the New Year with the words “May your rice never bum!”

IMPRESS, LISTEN, HAPPY, CERTAIN How good a friend are you really? And could you be a better one? The best kind of friends are good [blank_start]listeners[blank_end]. That means holding back your opinion until it’s needed. Try to be as sympathetic as possible — asking for help is hard for anyone, so be the first to offer assistance. If your friend takes you up on it they’ll love you for being supportive — and even if they don’t you will [blank_start]certainly[blank_end] have made a good [blank_start]impression[blank_end] on them! Don’t expect your advice to be taken at that moment, or your [blank_start]unhappy[blank_end] friend to be cheered up instantly.