Compound Adjectives - Advanced Exercises
B2 Level
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You will also practise the important -ly adverb exception. Phrases such as beautifully written, carefully planned, and newly painted do not need a hyphen because the -ly ending already shows how the words connect. Other compounds, including eco-friendly, cost-effective, and labour-intensive, follow established spellings. At B2 level, accuracy comes from combining rule awareness with memory of common professional and descriptive forms. This is useful in essays, reports, and workplace writing, where unclear hyphenation can make a noun phrase harder to read quickly and confidently during careful proofreading.
Quick Rule
compound adjective before a noun -> hyphenated; after a linking verb -> often open; -ly adverb + adjective/participle -> open
- 1.They launched a user-friendly application last month.
- 2.The proposal was not cost effective in the long term.
- 3.She submitted a carefully written report.
- 4.This purpose-built studio has excellent sound quality.
- 5.The singer is well known across Europe.
All 20 questions
Form the correct compound adjective from the parts given in parentheses. Pay attention to whether the compound comes before a noun or after a verb — this affects hyphenation.
She bought a _____ dress for the celebration. (custom / made)
Form the correct compound adjective. This compound comes BEFORE a noun.
They sell _____ products at the airport. (duty / free)
Form the correct compound adjective. This compound comes BEFORE a noun.
He is a _____ singer who performs in stadiums everywhere. (world / famous)
Form the correct compound adjective. This compound comes BEFORE a noun.
This is a _____ application that anyone can navigate easily. (user / friendly)
Form the correct compound adjective. This compound comes BEFORE a noun.
She read a _____ novel on the train. (beautifully / written)
Form the correct compound adjective. This compound uses an -ly adverb.
The government introduced a new _____ building in the capital. (purpose / built)
Form the correct compound adjective. This compound comes BEFORE a noun.
The restaurant is _____ for its seafood dishes. (well / known)
Form the correct compound adjective. This compound comes AFTER a linking verb.
We need _____ solutions to reduce pollution. (eco / friendly)
Form the correct compound adjective. This compound comes BEFORE a noun.
It was a _____ planned event with everything arranged perfectly. (carefully / planned)
Form the correct compound adjective. This compound uses an -ly adverb.
They serve _____ drinks at the health clinic. (sugar / free)
Form the correct compound adjective. This compound comes BEFORE a noun.
Her new suit was _____ to fit her perfectly. (tailor / made)
Form the correct compound adjective. This compound comes AFTER a linking verb.
Mining is a _____ industry that requires many workers. (labour / intensive)
Form the correct compound adjective. This compound comes BEFORE a noun.
The report contained _____ written analysis that impressed the committee. (carefully / written)
Form the correct compound adjective. This compound uses an -ly adverb.
We need to find a _____ way to run this programme. (cost / effective)
Form the correct compound adjective. This compound comes BEFORE a noun.
The new office building is _____. It uses solar panels and insulation. (energy / efficient)
Form the correct compound adjective. This compound comes AFTER a linking verb.
This area is a _____ zone. No cigarettes are permitted. (smoke / free)
Form the correct compound adjective. This compound comes BEFORE a noun.
The restaurant serves _____ food that contains no artificial additives. (home / cooked)
Form the correct compound adjective. This compound comes AFTER a linking verb.
The gallery displayed a _____ painted portrait from the 18th century. (newly / painted)
Form the correct compound adjective. This compound uses an -ly adverb.
The documentary about the ocean was _____ and changed how I think about marine life. (eye / opening)
Form the correct compound adjective. This compound comes AFTER a linking verb.
The company launched a _____ marketing strategy to reach customers across the globe. (far / reaching)
Form the correct compound adjective. This compound comes BEFORE a noun.
Continue Practising
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