Word Formation Exercises - Conversation Questions

Word formation exercises can be found all over the internet, but they are often dry and rather uninspiring to use in the classroom. I can’t imagine it’s much better when assigned as homework. Apart from that, how effectively does someone learn the target word formation vocabulary when going through sentence after sentence? There needs to be a more active learning process taking pace in order for the word formation exercises to be useful and the learning to be successful.

That’s why we’ve created 40 conversation questions using word formation. Instead of boring word formation exercises, your students can use these to discuss in pairs or groups. After completing the gap, they will have to ask and answer the questions, using the target language in their answers. You could even turn it into a game and give points to students who use the prefixes and suffixes correctly when speaking. Don’t forget to monitor and write down any incorrect use of affixes for a post activity correction slot.

These questions have been designed with B2 First level in mind using common topics seen in Cambridge exams, but they may also be useful for a C1 Advanced group.

If all that’s not enough, extend the task by having students write their own word formation conversation questions. Provide them with a list of words commonly seen in word formation exercises, like the ones on our Quizlet sets. Then they write the questions in pairs and exchange with another group. The other group completes the task and discusses the question.

First (FCE) Word Formation Flash Cards – Quizlet

Advanced (CAE) Word Formation Flash Cards – Quizlet

If you still need more word formation practice, try some of these other posts:

Download a pdf version of the word formation conversation questions:

Word formation conversation questions

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Contents

Word Formation Exercises – Conversation Questions

Work

What behaviour do you consider ………………………….. in the workplace? Have you ever had to confront a co-worker about their behaviour? ACCEPT
Do you think that a ………………………….. workplace can be healthy or unhealthy? COMPETE
Have you ever experienced …………………………..? How did it make you feel? EMPLOY
Have you ever had to work in an ………………………….. or toxic work environment? How did you cope with it? HAPPY
Have you ever been in a work situation where you felt ………………………….. stressed or pressured? NEED
What would be the most ………………………….. job for you? Why wouldn’t you want to do it? INTEREST
What are some ………………………….. tasks you have to do at work or school? REPEAT
What are some common ………………………….. hazards in different types of workplaces? SAFE
Do you think being a ………………………….. worker is more important than being a hard worker? Why or why not? SKILL
Have you ever been ………………………….. in a job interview? What do you think went wrong? SUCCESS

Travel, leisure and culture

What sport or leisure activity gives you …………………………..? MOTIVATE
Do you think that ………………………….. athletes should be paid more or less than they currently are? PROFESSION
What is the most ………………………….. place you have ever visited? What made it so interesting to you? FASCINATE
Have you ever travelled somewhere that was ………………………….. stressful? EXPECT
Where is your favourite ………………………….. place to escape to when you need to unwind? PEACE
Do you like to keep up with the latest fashion trends? What is the most ………………………….. item of clothing you own? FASHION
What enjoyable ………………………….. events have you attended in your country or region? CULTURE
What are some examples of ………………………….. experiences or items in your culture? LUXURY
What are some ………………………….. traditions or customs in your country? Why do you think they are not widely accepted? POPULAR
In some cultures, it is considered ………………………….. to show warmth or affection in public. Do you think this is a good or a bad thing? Why? RESPECT

Education

What was your ………………………….. like at school when you were a child? Do you think it has influenced who you are today? BEHAVE
Do you think that a person’s early ………………………….. education makes a big difference? CHILD
Do you think that a ………………………….. learning environment is important for academic success? COMFORT
In your opinion, what’s the most ………………………….. subject to study? Why? ENJOY
Can you tell me about a ………………………….. that you learned about in school that fascinated you? DISCOVER
How can we encourage children to be more …………………………..? IMAGINE
Do you believe that ………………………….. is innate or can it be developed? INTELLIGENT
What ………………………….. expectations do you think students have about college or university life? What advice would you give to someone who is starting college or university? REAL
How do you think education can be made more ………………………….. for students? ENCOURAGE
How influential were your teachers to your …………………………..? DEVELOP

Health

What is the most ………………………….. medical solution that you have heard of? CREATE
What are some ………………………….. habits you have or used to have? How did you break or plan to break them? HEALTH
Do you believe that a healthy lifestyle can prevent …………………………..? Why or why not? ILL
How has the concept of ………………………….. developed over recent years? Is this a good thing? FIT
Have you ever undergone a ………………………….. operation? How did you prepare for it and what was the experience like? SURGERY
How do you manage stress in your daily life? Are there any particular techniques or activities that help you with …………………………..? RELAX
Do you think it’s important to eat food that is ………………………….. for your body type and lifestyle? Why or why not? SUIT
Is it healthy to be focussed on unimportant things? Why or why not? FOCUS
Is there anything that you have a natural ………………………….. to do? How have you coped with this limitation? ABLE
How can we reduce the amount of ………………………….. air in cities? POLLUTE