Word Building - Game cards (tips, key, editable) - ESL worksheet ... - Free Printable

Let’s go through each sentence one by one and pick the correct word from the list that fits best.

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1. Many ...... emigrants were arrested last night when they crossed the border.
Options: legal, legally, illegal, legality, legalization
→ We need an adjective to describe “emigrants”. The context says they were *arrested* for crossing the border — so they did something against the law → illegal

✔ Answer: illegal

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2. It is advisable to use ...... before an English class to make sure students accommodate themselves to the new language.
Options: warm, warming, warmth, warmer, warmish
→ This is about preparing or getting ready — like “warming up” before exercise. So we need a noun meaning preparation → warm-up? But it’s not in the list. Wait — maybe “warming”? No, that’s not right. Actually, think of “warm-up” as a phrase — but since only “warming” is close… Hmm. Let’s look again. Maybe it’s “warm-up” implied? But none fit perfectly. Wait — perhaps it’s “warming” as in “warming up”? Still awkward. Actually, let’s check other options. “Warmth” = feeling of being warm. “Warmer” = comparative. “Warmish” = somewhat warm. None seem perfect. But in educational contexts, sometimes “warming” is used informally for “warm-up activities”. However, looking at standard usage — actually, this might be a trick. Wait — maybe it’s “warm-up” but since it’s not listed, perhaps the intended answer is “warming”? Or maybe I’m overthinking. Let’s skip and come back.

Wait — actually, re-reading: “use ...... before an English class” — probably means “use a warm-up activity”. Since “warm-up” isn’t there, and “warming” is the closest verb form — but it doesn’t fit grammatically. Unless... oh! Maybe it’s “warm-up” abbreviated? Not likely. Alternatively, perhaps the word is “warming” as in “warming exercises”? In some contexts, yes. But let’s see if another option makes more sense later. For now, tentatively: warming

But wait — let’s look at the next ones first.

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3. She is very ...... to have you as her husband: you have a good job, you cook, you don't smoke and you don't drink alcohol!
Options: fortune, fortified, (un)fortunate, (un)fortunately, fortuneless
→ She feels lucky → so she is fortunate
✔ Answer: fortunate

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4. It is considered ...... to use the left hand for passing or accepting things.
Options: polite, politely, impolite, impolitely, (im)politeness
→ Using left hand is often seen as rude in some cultures → so it’s impolite
✔ Answer: impolite

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5. We were certainly very ...... to have such a wonderful weather during our stay in Brighton.
Options: luck, lucky, luckless, luckily, luckiness
→ We felt fortunate → so lucky
✔ Answer: lucky

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6. In most cases teachers are ...... . Still, they are required to learn new skills and attend courses every year.
Options: work, worker, workman, workshop, overwork
→ Teachers are people who work → but which word? “Worker” is general. “Workman” is usually manual labor. “Overwork” is a verb/noun meaning too much work. But the sentence says “teachers are ......” — then adds they still need training. So maybe they’re already skilled? Or maybe “overworked”? But “overwork” is not an adjective. Wait — perhaps it’s “workers”? But singular? The blank is after “are”, so plural noun or adjective. “Workers” would fit — but it’s not in the list. List has: work, worker, workman, workshop, overwork. “Worker” is singular. Maybe it’s “overworked”? But not listed. Hmm. Perhaps it’s “workers” implied? Or maybe it’s a typo? Wait — let’s read again: “In most cases teachers are ...... . Still, they are required...” — maybe it’s saying they are already qualified? But none of the words mean that. Another idea: maybe “overwork” is meant to be “overworked”? But it’s written as “overwork”. Perhaps the intended answer is “workers” — but it’s not there. Wait — maybe it’s “workmen”? No. Let’s consider: perhaps it’s “overworked” — but since it’s not listed, maybe the answer is “worker” even though grammar is off? That doesn’t make sense. Alternatively, maybe it’s “work” as in “they are work”? No. This is tricky. Let’s look at the last part: “Still, they are required to learn new skills” — implying they are already doing their job well? Or maybe they are underpaid? Not helping. Perhaps the word is “overworked” — and “overwork” is a mistake? But we have to choose from given. Maybe it’s “worker” — assuming plural is understood? Unlikely. Another thought: in some contexts, “work” can be used as an adjective? No. Let’s skip and come back.

Actually, looking at the options again: “work”, “worker”, “workman”, “workshop”, “overwork”. Perhaps it’s “overwork” as a noun? “Teachers are overwork” — no, should be “overworked”. Maybe it’s a trick and the answer is “worker” — but grammatically incorrect. Wait — perhaps it’s “workmen”? Not listed. I think there might be an error, but let’s assume the intended answer is “overworked” — but since it’s not there, maybe “worker” is accepted? Not good. Alternatively, perhaps it’s “work” as in “they are work”? No. Let’s move on and return.

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7. We do appreciate the ...... and openness with which you answered all our questions.
Options: honest, honesty, honestly, dishonest, dishonestly
→ We appreciate the quality → so noun: honesty
✔ Answer: honesty

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8. Microsoft cannot be held ...... for the content of some external internet sites.
Options: respond, responding, response, responsible, irresponsible
→ Held accountable → responsible
✔ Answer: responsible

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9. The administrative ...... in many countries are the counties, the provinces or the states.
Options: divide, subdivide, dividers, division, divisional
→ Administrative divisions → divisions
But “division” is singular. The sentence says “are the counties...” — so plural subject needed. “Divisions” would be correct, but it’s not listed. Options: divide (verb), subdivide (verb), dividers (tools), division (singular noun), divisional (adjective). None are plural nouns. “Division” could be used collectively? Like “the administrative division” — but here it says “are”, so plural. Perhaps it’s “divisions” implied? Or maybe “division” is used as uncountable? Unlikely. Another idea: “dividers” — but that means physical separators. Not fitting. Perhaps it’s “division” as in the concept? But “are” suggests plural. Maybe the answer is “divisions” — but not listed. Wait — perhaps it’s “division” and the verb should be “is”? But the sentence says “are”. This is problematic. Let’s check: “The administrative ...... in many countries are...” — so the blank must be a plural noun. Only possible if “divisions” is intended, but it’s not there. Among options, “dividers” is plural, but wrong meaning. “Division” is singular. Perhaps it’s a mistake, and the intended answer is “divisions” — but since it’s not there, maybe “division” is accepted? Or perhaps “administrative division” is treated as singular? But “are” contradicts. Another thought: in some contexts, “division” can refer to multiple units? Rare. Let’s see the options again. Maybe “subdivide” — no, verb. I think the best fit is “divisions”, but since it’s not listed, perhaps the answer is “division” and we ignore the verb agreement? Not ideal. Wait — perhaps it’s “dividers”? No. Let’s look for clues. The sentence lists “counties, provinces, states” — these are types of administrative divisions. So the word should be “divisions”. Since it’s not there, and “division” is the root, maybe it’s “division” — and the verb “are” is a mistake? Or perhaps in British English, “division” can be pluralized implicitly? I doubt it. Maybe the answer is “divisions” — but since it’s not an option, perhaps the intended answer is “division” — and we go with that. Or wait — another idea: “administrative division” is a term, and here it’s used generically, so “division” is okay even with “are”? Not really. Let’s check online or common usage. Actually, upon second thought, “administrative divisions” is the standard term. Since “divisions” isn’t an option, and “division” is, perhaps the question expects “division” — and the verb “are” is for the examples (counties, etc.), not for the blank. Let’s parse: “The administrative [blank] in many countries are the counties...” — so the blank is the category, and “are” refers to the examples. So the blank can be singular. For example: “The fruit in the basket are apples and oranges.” — here “fruit” is singular, “are” agrees with “apples and oranges”. Similarly, “The administrative division in many countries are the counties...” — this is acceptable in informal English, though strictly, it should be “divisions”. But in many tests, they accept “division” here. So I’ll go with division.

✔ Answer: division

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10. Could you hold on for a minute? I’ll put you in contact with an ...... .
Options: operate, operation, cooperate, operational, operator
→ You’re being transferred to someone who handles calls → operator
✔ Answer: operator

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Now back to the tricky ones:

Sentence 2: It is advisable to use ...... before an English class...
We had: warm, warming, warmth, warmer, warmish
In education, “warm-up” is common, but not listed. “Warming” might be used as shorthand. But let’s think: “use warming” — doesn’t sound right. “Use warmth”? No. “Use warmer”? No. “Use warmish”? No. Perhaps it’s “warm-up” and “warming” is the closest. But I recall that in some contexts, “warming” is used for preparatory activities. For example, “warming exercises”. So maybe warming is intended.

Alternatively, perhaps it’s “warm-up” and the word is missing, but among options, “warming” is the only one that relates. I’ll go with warming.

But let’s double-check: is there a better fit? “Warmth” is a feeling. “Warmer” is comparative. “Warmish” is informal for slightly warm. None fit. So warming it is.

✔ Answer: warming

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Sentence 6: In most cases teachers are ...... .
Options: work, worker, workman, workshop, overwork
Perhaps it’s “overworked” — but not listed. “Overwork” is a noun or verb. If we take “overwork” as a noun, “teachers are overwork” is wrong. Maybe it’s “workers” — but “worker” is singular. Perhaps the answer is “worker” — assuming it’s meant to be plural. Or maybe it’s “workmen” — not listed. Another idea: in some contexts, “work” can be used as an adjective? No. Let’s consider: perhaps it’s “overworked” and “overwork” is a typo. But we have to choose from given. Maybe the intended answer is “worker” — and we accept the grammar issue. Or perhaps it’s “work” as in “they are work”? No. Wait — what if it’s “workshop”? “Teachers are workshop” — no. I think the only plausible answer is “worker”, even though it should be plural. Or perhaps in the context, “teacher” is singular, but the sentence says “teachers are”, so plural. This is confusing. Let’s look for similar phrases. Sometimes “teachers are workers” is said. So perhaps worker is meant to be plural. I’ll go with worker.

But let’s see the sentence again: “In most cases teachers are ...... . Still, they are required to learn new skills...” — if they are “workers”, it makes sense — they are employees, but still need training. So worker might be acceptable.

✔ Answer: worker

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Now compiling all answers:

1. illegal
2. warming
3. fortunate
4. impolite
5. lucky
6. worker
7. honesty
8. responsible
9. division
10. operator

Let me verify each quickly:

1. Illegal emigrants — yes, arrested for crossing illegally.
2. Use warming before class — a bit weak, but best available.
3. Fortunate to have you — yes.
4. Impolite to use left hand — yes, in some cultures.
5. Lucky to have good weather — yes.
6. Teachers are worker — grammatically odd, but perhaps accepted.
7. Appreciate honesty — yes.
8. Held responsible — yes.
9. Administrative division — with "are" referring to examples,勉强 acceptable.
10. Contact with an operator — yes.

I think these are the best fits given the options.

Final Answer:
1. illegal
2. warming
3. fortunate
4. impolite
5. lucky
6. worker
7. honesty
8. responsible
9. division
10. operator