1
Focus: The prefix un-
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A
unusually
unfortunate
unknown
unemployed
unpleasant
unexpected
uncertainty
uncomfortable
unfamiliar
unpredictable
Include each of the words in a sentence:
B
unemployment
unfortunately
unnecessary
unnecessarily
unacceptable
unsuccessful
unreasonable
undesirable
unconscious
unconditional
2
Focus: Like un–, the prefixes dis– and mis– have negative meanings
A
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mistaken
misleading
misfortune
misconduct
misinformation
discovered
disappeared
discourage
disbelief
dismantle
Include each of the words in a sentence:
B
misunderstanding
misrepresentation
misinterpretation
mismanagement
miscalculation
disadvantage
disappearance
disappointment
disagreement
dissatisfaction
3
Focus: The prefix in–, meaning ‘not’ (in- can also become il-, im, or ir-)
A
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inactive
incorrect
illegal
illogical
impossible
impatient
immature
imperfect
irregular
irrelevant
Include each of the words in a sentence:
B
indefensible
incompatible
illiteracy
illegible
impossibility
immortal
imprisonment
improvements
irresistible
irresponsible
4
Focus: The prefix sub–, meaning ‘under’, and super–, meaning ‘above’.
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A
subdivide
subheading
submarine
submerge
subsystem
superstar
superhuman
supermarket
supervision
superficial
Include each of the words in a sentence:
B
subconscious
subconsciously
substandard
submersible
subsidising
superstition
supernatural
superimposed
supercomputer
superficially
5
Focus: auto– means ‘self’ or ‘own’, anti– means ‘against’
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A
autograph
autobiography
automatic
automated
autopilot
autopsy
antiseptic
antisocial
antibiotics
anti-clockwise
Include each of the words in a sentence:
B
autobiographies
autobiographical
automatically
autonomous
automobiles
anticipation
antibacterial
antiquated
antiplaque
antipollution
6
Focus: inter– means ‘between’ or ‘among’
A
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interact
intercity
international
interrelated
interview
interested
interaction
interrupt
interpreter
interfere
Include each of the words in a sentence:
B
interactive
intervention
internationally
interdependence
interviewer
interestingly
interrogation
interruption
interpretations
interference
7
Focus: The suffix –ation is added to verbs to form nouns.
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A
adoration
estimation
evacuation
preparation
admiration
association
destination
humiliation
irritation
hibernation
Include each of the words in a sentence:
B
initiation
compilation
corporation
lamination
abdication
dehydration
aggravation
immigration
discrimination
abomination
8
Focus: The suffix –ly
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seriously
properly
probably
thoughtfully
obediently
cheekily
angrily
unhappily
personally
eventually
Include each of the words in a sentence:
B
courageously
mysteriously
deliberately
unexpectedly
unfortunately
wealthily
squeakily
unsteadily
accidentally
enthusiastically
9
Focus: To distinguish between homophones as well as other words that are often confused.
A
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accept
except
medal
meddle
weather
whether
advise
advice
licence
license
Include each of the words in a sentence:
B
morning
mourning
prophecy
prophesy
stationary
stationery
principal
principle
practice
practise
10
Focus: Words with ‘silent’ letters (i.e. letters whose presence cannot be predicted from the pronunciation of the
word)
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column
scissors
muscle
subtle
castle
wrestle
knuckle
knickers
island
Wednesday
Include each of the words in a sentence:
B
solemn
thistle
whistle
wrinkle
wreckage
disguise
condemn
autumn
doubtful
knowledge
11
Focus: The ending sounding like /ʒə/ is always spelt –sure. The ending sounding like /tʃə/ is often spelt –ture
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leisure
pressure
reassure
treasure
enclosure
temperature
agriculture
premature
recapture
immature
Include each of the words in a sentence:
B
displeasure
overexposure
disclosure
composure
nondisclosure
restructure
infrastructure
architecture
manufacture
expenditure
12
Focus: Words ending with the /g/ sound spelt –gue and the /k/ sound spelt –que.
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league
tongue
morgue
intrigue
fatigue
prologue
unique
antique
cheque
mosque
Include each of the words in a sentence:
B
catalogue
colleague
monologue
dialogue
meringue
synagogue
technique
boutique
physique
grotesque