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Use of English

Level C1

Part 3 - Word Formation

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6
1

For Questions 1-8, read the text below and use the word given in capitals to form a word that fits in the gap.

The Psychology of Competition

In modern workplaces and classrooms, competition is often presented as a (0) NECESSARY ingredient for success. Yet its psychological impact is far from straightforward. For some people, a competitive setting can be deeply (1) .......... (MOTIVE), pushing them to practise harder and set clearer goals. For others, the constant comparison creates (2) .......... (ANXIOUS), especially when performance is publicly ranked. One common side effect is a shift in attention: instead of focusing on learning, individuals may become (3) .......... (OBSESS) with beating rivals. This can lead to short-term gains but also to (4) .......... (CONFIDENT) when results fluctuate. In extreme cases, people start to interpret every setback as a personal (5) .......... (FAIL), even when the task is genuinely difficult. Competition can also affect relationships. Teams may become less (6) .......... (COOPERATE), as sharing information feels like giving away an advantage. At the same time, those who repeatedly lose may experience (7) .......... (POWER), which can reduce effort and increase withdrawal. A healthier approach is to design systems that reward progress and mastery, so that ambition remains (8) .......... (CONTROL) rather than destructive.

What to do

For each gap you get one word in capitals which you have to change so the grammar and meaning fit in the sentence. Here you have to show how well you know word families and if you can change words by using prefixes and suffixes.

You need to read the whole text to get the writer’s opinion on the topic. That’s because sometimes a negative prefix will be required. There is usually at least one word requiring a negative prefix, so look out for these.

In the exam always write something. You never know, you might be lucky even if you are not sure of the answer!

Strategy

  1. Read the title and the whole text so that you understand what it is about.
  2. Look at each sentence in detail.
  3. Think about what kind of word you need and whether you need a negative prefix or a suffix.
  4. Read the sentence again to check whether you need a plural form.
  5. Check your spelling, as it must be correct.

Instructions

For Questions 1-8, read the text below and use the word given in capitals to form a word that fits in the gap.

Exercise Details

Author

Alexandra Lazar

@alexandra-lazar

User Prompt

"Create an exercise about the psychological effects of competition."

Tone: Standard
Level: C1

Created on:

Apr 6, 2026

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