Use of English
Transformation, word formation and precision work in Cambridge C1 style.
Lesson objectives
- Improve grammatical precision and collocational control.
- Practise exam-style transformations and word formation systematically.
- Connect structure and lexis back to the unit theme of photography, documentary & visual truth.
Part 1 — Word formation
Instructions: Read the text below. Use the word in CAPITALS at the end of some of the lines to form a word that fits in the gap in the same line. For C1 Advanced, pay attention to prefixes, suffixes, and noun/adgective/adverb transformations.
The power of a single photograph to capture a moment of profound (1) __ can change how we perceive global events. However, the (2) __ of a shot is often debated, as photographers may manipulate settings to enhance the emotional impact. In the age of digital editing, the (3) __ of a visual record is frequently questioned, leading to a sense of (4) __ among historians.
Documentary filmmakers often face the ethical (5) __ of whether to intervene in a scene or remain a detached observer. While some argue that their work provides an (6) __ account of reality, others suggest that the framing of a shot is inherently biased. Ultimately, the (7) __ of the subject is secondary to the narrative the photographer wishes to convey. This (8) __ focus on aesthetics over truth remains a central debate in visual journalism.
- SIGNIFICANT
- AUTHENTIC
- RELIABILITY
- DISTRUST
- DILEMMA
- OBJECTIVE
- HUMANITY
- RELENTLESS
Part 2 — Key word transformations
Instructions: Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, using the word given. Do not change the word given. You must use between three and six words, including the word given. This exercise focuses on using participle clauses to combine ideas. 1. Because he was a professional photographer, he knew exactly how to capture the light. | BEING → _____ a professional photographer, he knew exactly how to capture the light. 2. After the documentary had finished filming, the crew packed up their equipment. | HAVING → ____ the documentary, the crew packed up their equipment. 3. The artist was overwhelmed by the beauty of the landscape and decided to paint it. | OVERWHELMED → _____ by the beauty of the landscape, the artist decided to paint it. 4. Since she had spent years studying visual truth, she could spot a fake easily. | HAVING → ____ years studying visual truth, she could spot a fake easily. 5. Because the lens was cracked, the photo was completely ruined. | HAVING → _____ a cracked lens, the photo was completely ruined. 6. While he was walking through the gallery, he saw a masterpiece. | WALKING → _____ through the gallery, he saw a masterpiece.
Answer key
- significance
- authenticity
- reliability
- distrust
- dilemma
- objectivity
- humanity
- relentless
- Being
- Having finished
- Overwhelmed
- Having spent
- Having
- Walking