Words With -ful and -less
Explore how words ending in -ful and -less describe products, experiences, and customer feedback.
Preview
Questions with solutions-
1. Completa lo spazio vuoto.
This phone stand is ___. It holds my phone while I cook, so I can read the recipe.
- useful
- useless
Does the stand help the customer do something?
Show solution
This phone stand is useful. It holds my phone while I cook, so I can read the recipe.
A useful product serves a purpose. A useless product does not help with the job you need it to do.
-
2. Scegli la risposta corretta.
What does "careless" tell you about the delivery worker?
The delivery worker was careless and dropped my package twice.
- The worker did not pay enough attention.
- The worker handled the package with great care.
- The worker had no packages to deliver.
Think about how the worker handled the package.
Show solution
- The worker did not pay enough attention.
Careless describes a lack of attention or care. It does not mean that someone has nothing to care for.
-
3. Digita la risposta.
Which adjective made from "help" describes a guide that gives good advice?
The guide was ___: its pictures showed me how to set up the printer.
The guide makes the customer's task easier.
Show solution
- helpful
Helpful often describes advice, instructions, or people that give you support.
-
4. Completa lo spazio vuoto.
I bought the ___ backpack because of its bright red, yellow, and blue pattern.
- colorless
- colorful
Notice how many bright colors the customer mentions.
Show solution
I bought the colorful backpack because of its bright red, yellow, and blue pattern.
Colorful describes something with bright or varied colors. In American English, these words use "color," without a u.
-
5. Completa lo spazio vuoto.
This is a ___ blender: it crushes ice in just a few seconds.
- powerful
- powerless
Crushing ice quickly requires a strong motor.
Show solution
This is a powerful blender: it crushes ice in just a few seconds.
Powerful can describe a machine with plenty of strength, not just a strong person.
-
6. Scegli la risposta corretta.
What does "harmless" mean in this review?
The small mark on the case is harmless. It cannot damage the phone or affect how it works.
- It does not cause damage.
- It cannot be seen.
- It cannot be removed.
Focus on the mark's effect, not its appearance.
Show solution
- It does not cause damage.
Harmless describes something that does not cause harm. A harmless mark can still be visible.
-
7. Scegli la risposta corretta.
What does "wireless" tell you about this keyboard?
The wireless keyboard connects to my computer without a cable, but it still needs batteries.
- It works without any source of power.
- It connects to the computer without wires.
- It cannot connect to a computer.
The missing cable and the batteries have different jobs.
Show solution
- It connects to the computer without wires.
Wireless describes the connection. It does not mean that the device needs no power.
-
8. Completa lo spazio vuoto.
The new bandage came off without hurting my skin. Removing it was ___.
- painful
- painless
Did removing the bandage hurt?
Show solution
The new bandage came off without hurting my skin. Removing it was painless.
Painless can describe an action or experience, such as removing a bandage.
-
9. Digita la risposta.
What adjective made from "success" describes this test?
Our first test of the repaired printer was ___: every page came out correctly.
The test achieved the result we wanted.
Show solution
- successful
Successful means that something achieved its aim. Remember that the ending -ful has only one l.
-
10. Scegli la risposta corretta.
How does the customer feel about the next repair?
The first repair failed, but I'm hopeful the new part will fix my headphones.
- They believe no repair can work.
- They know the next repair has already worked.
- They think the next repair may work.
The customer is looking ahead, not reporting a finished repair.
Show solution
- They think the next repair may work.
Hopeful expresses a positive feeling about the future. It does not mean the result is certain.
-
11. Completa lo spazio vuoto.
The designer added raised dots to the buttons so users could find them by touch. This was a ___ detail that showed care for users' needs.
- thoughtful
- thoughtless
The designer considered how other people would use the product.
Show solution
The designer added raised dots to the buttons so users could find them by touch. This was a thoughtful detail that showed care for users' needs.
Thoughtful can mean showing care for others, not simply spending a long time thinking.
-
12. Digita la risposta.
Which adjective made from "effort" means "needing no effort"?
The suitcase rolled so smoothly that pulling it felt ___.
The customer found the action extremely easy.
Show solution
- effortless
In reviews, effortless often means very easy rather than literally requiring no effort at all.
-
13. Scegli la risposta corretta.
What does "restless" describe in this review?
The pillow stayed cool, but I was restless all night. I kept turning over and couldn't settle down.
- The reviewer could not relax and stay still.
- The pillow did not stay cool.
- The reviewer slept calmly without moving.
Notice who was restless: the pillow or the person?
Show solution
- The reviewer could not relax and stay still.
Restless describes someone who cannot relax or stay still. Restful describes something that helps you rest.
-
14. Scegli la risposta corretta.
Why does the customer call the word "meaningless"?
The seller calls the battery "amazing" but gives no facts about it. That word is meaningless to me here.
- It shows that the battery has no power.
- It gives no clear details about how the battery performs.
- It is not a real English word.
The customer wants useful information, not general praise.
Show solution
- It gives no clear details about how the battery performs.
Meaningless can mean that something has no value in a situation, even when the words have dictionary meanings.
-
15. Scegli la risposta corretta.
What is the customer criticizing?
The mug works well, but the joke printed on it is tasteless. It makes fun of people who are sick.
- The mug makes drinks lose their flavor.
- The design is plain and has no decoration.
- The joke is rude and may upset people.
Here, tasteless describes a joke, not food or a drink.
Show solution
- The joke is rude and may upset people.
Tasteless can mean lacking flavor, but it can also describe an offensive joke or comment. Context tells you which meaning fits.