Exercises C1 : learn scientific vocabulary in English

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Scientific vocabulary in English [C1] — VocaVerb

These exercises are designed to consolidate your command of advanced scientific and academic English at C1 level, focusing on Greek and Latin roots, high-frequency academic vocabulary, and precise hedging language used in research writing.

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Exercice 1 — Academic and Scientific Vocabulary: Multiple Choice

Choose the word that best completes each sentence, based on your knowledge of Greek and Latin roots and high-frequency academic terms.

  1. The study aimed to ___ the long-term effects of sleep deprivation on cognitive performance.
  2. The prefix 'bio-' in the term 'biodegradable' derives from Greek and refers to ___.
  3. Researchers used ___ language, writing that the treatment 'appeared to reduce' symptoms rather than stating it as a certainty.
  4. The Latin root 'scrib-' as found in 'prescribe' and 'transcribe' carries the core meaning of ___.
Correction

  1. A) quantify — The study aimed to quantify the long-term effects of sleep deprivation on cognitive performance.
  2. A) life — The prefix 'bio-' in the term 'biodegradable' derives from Greek and refers to life.
  3. A) hedging — Researchers used hedging language, writing that the treatment 'appeared to reduce' symptoms rather than stating it as a certainty.
  4. A) to write — The Latin root 'scrib-' as found in 'prescribe' and 'transcribe' carries the core meaning of to write.

Exercice 2 — Roots and Meanings: Match the Academic Term to Its Origin

Match each academic or scientific term on the left with its correct Greek or Latin root meaning on the right. Write a full sentence explaining each connection.

  1. Term: 'hypothesis' — possible root meanings: A) under/below + placing, B) above + writing, C) around + speaking, D) against + seeing
  2. Term: 'synthesis' — possible root meanings: A) apart + knowing, B) together + placing, C) before + measuring, D) beyond + writing
  3. Term: 'microscope' — possible root meanings: A) large + sound, B) small + to look at, C) many + to write, D) under + to hear
  4. Term: 'circumference' — possible root meanings: A) through + carrying, B) around + carrying, C) against + placing, D) within + writing
Correction

  1. The term 'hypothesis' matches option A, since it comes from the Greek roots 'hypo-' meaning under or below and 'thesis' meaning a placing or proposition, so a hypothesis is literally something 'placed beneath' as a foundation for argument.
  2. The term 'synthesis' matches option B, since it derives from the Greek 'syn-' meaning together and 'thesis' meaning placing, so synthesis refers to combining separate elements into a unified whole.
  3. The term 'microscope' matches option B, since it comes from the Greek 'mikros' meaning small and 'skopein' meaning to look at, so a microscope is an instrument for looking at very small things.
  4. The term 'circumference' matches option B, since it derives from the Latin 'circum' meaning around and 'ferre' meaning to carry or bear, so circumference describes the measurement carried around the boundary of a circle.

Exercice 3 — Hedging Language in Academic Writing: Fill in the Gaps

Complete each sentence with the appropriate hedging expression or precise academic term. Write the full corrected sentence as your answer.

  1. The data ___ that prolonged exposure to particulate matter may contribute to respiratory decline, though further replication is needed. (suggest / prove / confirm / demonstrate definitively)
  2. It ___ be argued that the correlation observed between the two variables is partly attributable to confounding factors not controlled in this study. (could / must / will / shall)
  3. The findings ___ consistent with the hypothesis that neuroplasticity declines significantly after the age of forty, although individual variation remains considerable. (appear to be / are proven to be / definitely are / cannot be)
  4. This ___ indicates a potential link between socioeconomic status and access to preventive healthcare, a relationship that ___ require further longitudinal investigation. (preliminary evidence / final proof / absolute conclusion / confirmed data) + (would / must / cannot / should never)
Correction

  1. The data suggest that prolonged exposure to particulate matter may contribute to respiratory decline, though further replication is needed.
  2. It could be argued that the correlation observed between the two variables is partly attributable to confounding factors not controlled in this study.
  3. The findings appear to be consistent with the hypothesis that neuroplasticity declines significantly after the age of forty, although individual variation remains considerable.
  4. This preliminary evidence indicates a potential link between socioeconomic status and access to preventive healthcare, a relationship that would require further longitudinal investigation.

To go further on this topic:

Review the lesson · Crossword puzzle

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