Scientific Terms Exercises: Vocabulary Practice (B1-C1) with Answers

⏱ Time: 10:00 📝 Questions: 20 📊 Level: B1, B2, C1 📚 Type: Vocabulary ⭐ XP: up to +25 (on pass)
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The fastest way to grow your vocabulary is to learn from mistakes. Try these 20 Scientific Terms exercises at Level B1-C1 and read the explanation for every question — especially the ones you get wrong.

⏱ You have 10:00 to answer 20 questions. The timer only starts when you click Begin.

Q1  20
Q1 20

Question 1: The scientist looked through the ___ to study the tiny cells.

Question 1 options
'Microscope' is correct because it is the instrument used to magnify small objects like cells. A 'telescope' views distant objects, a 'thermometer' measures temperature, and a 'barometer' measures air pressure.
Q2 20

Question 2: What does the word 'hypothesis' mean?

Question 2 options
'Hypothesis' means a proposed explanation that can be tested. It is not a proven fact, a final conclusion, or a measurement tool.
Q3 20

Question 3: Water is made of hydrogen and ___.

Question 3 options
'Oxygen' is correct because water (H₂O) is composed of hydrogen and oxygen. Nitrogen, carbon, and helium are different elements not part of the water molecule.
Q4 20

Question 4: In science, the word 'theory' refers to a well-tested explanation supported by evidence, not just a random guess.

Question 4 options
True. In scientific usage, 'theory' denotes a comprehensive explanation repeatedly confirmed through observation and experimentation, unlike its everyday meaning of a mere guess or speculation.
Q5 20

Question 5: The ___ of an atom contains protons and neutrons.

Question 5 options
'Nucleus' is correct because the central part of an atom, containing protons and neutrons, is called the nucleus. 'Electron' orbits the nucleus, 'molecule' is a group of atoms, and 'isotope' is a variant of an element.
Q6 20

Question 6: Match each scientific term to its definition.

Question 6 options
photosynthesis
gravity
evaporation
ecosystem
the force that attracts objects toward one another
the process of a liquid changing into a gas
a community of living organisms and their environment
the process by which plants convert light into energy

Select an item on the left, then tap its match on the right.

Photosynthesis is how plants convert light to energy. Gravity is the force attracting objects toward each other. Evaporation is liquid turning to gas. Ecosystem is a community of living things and their environment.
Q7 20

Question 7: Which word is closest in meaning to 'specimen'?

Question 7 options
'Sample' is closest in meaning to 'specimen,' as both refer to an individual example taken for examination. 'Equipment' means tools, 'variable' is a changeable factor, and 'formula' is a symbolic expression.
Q8 20

Question 8: Scientists must ___ their experiments to confirm that the results are reliable.

Question 8 options
'Replicate' means to repeat an experiment under the same conditions to verify results. 'Contradict' means to oppose, 'speculate' means to guess, and 'hypothesize' means to propose an explanation, not to repeat a procedure.
Q9 20

Question 9: The researcher recorded data from the ___ group and the experimental group.

Question 9 options
'Control' is correct because in experiments, the 'control group' is the standard against which results are compared. 'Focus,' 'sample,' and 'target' do not form this standard scientific collocation.
Q10 20

Question 10: What does the term 'catalyst' mean in chemistry?

Question 10 options
A 'catalyst' is a substance that speeds up a chemical reaction without being consumed in the process. It does not slow reactions, produce energy, or dissolve other substances.
Q11 20

Question 11: The study of living organisms and their vital processes is called ___.

Question 11 options
'Biology' is the scientific discipline concerned with living organisms and life processes. It comes from the Greek 'bios' (life) and 'logos' (study).
Q12 20

Question 12: The ___ of the chemical solution was measured to determine its acidity.

Question 12 options
'pH' is the scale used to measure how acidic or alkaline a solution is. 'Density' measures mass per volume, 'velocity' measures speed with direction, and 'amplitude' measures wave height.
Q13 20

Question 13: In genetics, a ___ is a unit of heredity that is transferred from parent to offspring.

Question 13 options
'Gene' is the fundamental unit of heredity located on chromosomes. A 'cell' is the basic structural unit of life, a 'tissue' is a group of cells, and a 'virus' is an infectious agent—none of these specifically denote a hereditary unit.
Q14 20

Question 14: Which word is closest in meaning to 'empirical'?

Question 14 options
'Observational' is closest in meaning because 'empirical' refers to knowledge derived from observation and experiment rather than theory alone. 'Theoretical' is the opposite, 'hypothetical' means assumed, and 'subjective' means based on personal feelings.
Q15 20

Question 15: The word 'synthesis' in science refers to the process of breaking complex substances down into simpler components.

Question 15 options
False. 'Synthesis' means combining simpler elements to form a more complex whole. The process of breaking down is called 'analysis' or 'decomposition.'
Q16 20

Question 16: The phenomenon where organisms change over successive generations is known as ___.

Question 16 options
'Evolution' is the process of gradual biological change in populations over generations. 'Mutation' is a single genetic change, 'adaptation' is a specific trait adjustment, and 'migration' is movement between locations.
Q17 20

Question 17: Researchers often conduct a ___ study, where neither the participants nor the investigators know who receives the treatment.

Question 17 options
'Double-blind' describes a study design in which both participants and researchers are unaware of group assignments, reducing bias. 'Longitudinal' tracks subjects over time, 'qualitative' focuses on non-numerical data, and 'retrospective' looks back at past events.
Q18 20

Question 18: The scientists found a strong ___ between exercise and improved cognitive function, but they could not prove causation.

Question 18 options
'Correlation' means a statistical relationship between two variables. It is the standard scientific term used when a link is observed but causation is not established. 'Deviation' refers to departure from a norm, 'frequency' to how often something occurs, and 'magnitude' to size or extent.
Q19 20

Question 19: Some people confuse 'organic' in chemistry with 'organic' in everyday language. In chemistry, 'organic' specifically relates to compounds containing ___.

Question 19 options
'Carbon' is correct because organic chemistry is the study of carbon-containing compounds. In everyday language, 'organic' often means produced without synthetic chemicals, which is a different usage.
Q20 20

Question 20: The data showed a statistically significant result, meaning the outcome was unlikely to have occurred by ___ alone.

Question 20 options
'Chance' is correct because in statistical analysis, 'statistically significant' means the result is unlikely to be due to chance (random variation). 'Design,' 'method,' and 'error' do not fit this standard scientific collocation.