Word Formation 2016

POPULAR, EASY, RELY, SAFE Since its invention in the late 1950s, the skateboard has become a standard item of sports equipment for teenager boys. By the early 1970s, bicycle manufacturers started producing quality skateboards which broke less [blank_start]easily[blank_end] and had more [blank_start]reliable[blank_end] wheels that would not come off and cause injury. The [blank_start]popularity[blank_end] of the sport declined in the 1980s when some critics argued it was still too risky and [blank_start]unsafe[blank_end]. However, skateboarding has made a comeback and is likely to remain a symbol of youthful energy for many years.

CREATE, ABLE, SATISFY, FIRM The number one gadget for most teenagers today is the mobile phone. They seem to get enormous [blank_start]satisfaction[blank_end] from comparing new models which [blank_start]enable[blank_end] them to send text messages at the speed of life. But most teachers are totally intolerable of mobile phone use in the classroom. Text messaging is completely banned and mobiles should be [blank_start]firmly[blank_end] switched off. This approach gets across the message that students need to concentrate. However, it shows that many schools misunderstand the full capability of the mobile phone. After all, a mobile phone is just like a mini computer, with full access to the web. There are many [blank_start]creative[blank_end] ways in which mobiles can be used for learning.

NECESSARY, LOCATE, COMPARATIVE, AFFORD Las Vegas is known as the marriage capital of the world. The process of obtaining a marriage licence can be completed within minutes in Las Vegas while it often takes several weeks and involves lots of paperwork in other parts of the world. It is also [blank_start]comparatively[blank_end] cheap at just $60. There are a lot of [blank_start]locations[blank_end] to choose from. The competition between different venues keeps the prices relatively low and [blank_start]affordable[blank_end] . This has made Las Vegas a popular destination among couples wanting to get married. The fact that it is [blank_start]unnecessary[blank_end] to plan in advance means there are plenty of spontaneous weddings in Las Vegas each year of couples on holiday.

SERIOUS, CERTAIN, RECOGNISE, PRESTIGE Most people agree that the Oscars are the biggest film awards in the world. They are the most [blank_start]prestigious[blank_end] awards anyone in the film business can win. They are called the Oscars after the golden statue which is given out to the winners. Why the statue is named Oscar remains [blank_start]uncertain[blank_end]. Oscars are of great importance because winning one can really help a film to be successful or an actor to achieve [blank_start]recognition[blank_end]. As a result, an actor often gets offered lots more work and better films once he/she has won an award, as people take him/her more [blank_start]seriously[blank_end].

VARY, DANGER, EFFECT, DEPENDENT Chameleons, a [blank_start]variety[blank_end] of tree-living lizard, are found in Africa, Madagascar, Asia, Arabia and Southern Europe. They are unusual in their appearance with their bulging eyes, which move [blank_start]independently[blank_end], and their long curled tail, which can be twisted around branches to increase their grip. The chameleon's eyesight is exceptional for a reptile; its 360-degree vision makes it highly [blank_start]effective[blank_end] at hunting prey and spotting predators (хищник). Today, many chameleon species are [blank_start]endangered[blank_end] because of pollution and the destruction of their natural habitat.

DANGER VALUE SCIENCE ACTIVE The protection of animals is one of the main concerns of the World Zoo Organisation, an international society that helps zoos maintain high standards for their animals. Made up of [blank_start]scientists[blank_end] such as zoologists, the WZO helps zoos around the world exchange [blank_start]valuable[blank_end] information about their animals' health, breeding habits, etc. Animal rights [blank_start]activists[blank_end] keep a close eye on zoos to make certain that the treatment the animals receive is safe and not cruel. The WZO has helped in the management of a number of truly wonderful zoos around the world, where nothing [blank_start]endangers[blank_end] the lives of animals and where they can live happily.

FRIEND, REAL, PATIENT, SIGNIFICANT The decision of many stores to cut costs by reducing the number of employees has not been a success. Many stores now [blank_start]realize[blank_end] that if their staff suffer from exhaustion they are far more likely to become [blank_start]unfriendly[blank_end] / [blank_start]impatient[blank_end] with their customers, which is not a good idea in terms of sales figures. The U. S. department store Nordstrom knows that customers find poor service annoying. The company believes that the [blank_start]patience[blank_end] / [blank_start]friendliness[blank_end] of its staff contributes [blank_start]significantly[blank_end] to customer satistaction and a desire to return to shop there. Therefore, it goes to a great deal of trouble to ensure a positive shopping experience for its customers.

ICE ABLE COLONY SCIENCE Year by year, our little planet is becoming overcrowded. As the human population continues to grow, [blank_start]scientists[blank_end] are looking for planets which humans could [blank_start]colonise[blank_end]. One popular prediction is that Mars will be our new home. However, it is [blank_start]icy[blank_end] cold and has very little carbon dioxide. At present, humans would be [blank_start]unable[blank_end] to survive there. But the big difference in the atmospheric chemistry of Earth and Mars hasn't stopped people from dreaming!

GRASS ABLE CORRECTLY SIMILAR The Sabre-toothed cat, often [blank_start]incorrectly[blank_end] called the Sabre-toothed tiger, was commonly found in the [blank_start]grassy[blank_end] plains of North and South America. It became extinct about 10,000 years ago. It shared many [blank_start]similarities[blank_end] with the modern-day lion. With front legs powerful enough to [blank_start]enable[blank_end] them to spring up on prey, they had no difficulty finding food. They lived and hunted in groups. But their life was not always peaceful. They often fought over food or mates as lions do today.

DANGER, CONTAIN, SCIENCE, CARE For decades [blank_start]scientists[blank_end] have warned us that global warming is a major threat to our planet. There is a fear that our planet will overheat and that the resulting natural disasters may [blank_start]endanger[blank_end] life on earth. The materials designers and technologists use to manufacture products must be chosen [blank_start]carefully[blank_end]. Most metals are easy to recycle, so these are fine to use. The plastic used in some kinds of plastic [blank_start]containers[blank_end] can be reused as well.