What's the difference between school and university in British English?

"School" refers to primary and secondary education (ages 4-18); "university" is higher education after that. Britons don't call university "school" the way some other English speakers do.

What's the difference between a degree and a diploma?

A degree is an academic qualification from a university (Bachelor's, Master's); a diploma is usually a shorter, more practical qualification from a college.

What does "to revise" mean in British English?

To study and review material before an exam, not to "change" something, which is the more common meaning of "revise" elsewhere: "I'm revising for my exams this week."

What's the difference between a lecture and a seminar?

A lecture is a formal talk to a large group with little interaction; a seminar is a smaller, discussion-based class with more student participation.

What does "to drop out" mean?

To leave a course or school before finishing it: "He dropped out of university in his second year."

Is education vocabulary tested in the SELT?

Yes — describing your education, qualifications and studies is a common, predictable everyday speaking topic.

Science & Research — English Vocabulary (B2 – C1)

Topic level: B2 – C1 · Category: World & Society

📋 What's in This Guide

Introduction
Essential vocabulary
Natural collocations
Common mistake
Exercises
Mini quiz
Exam & speaking focus
Frequently asked questions

1. Introduction

Science topics are common in advanced reading, listening and discussion tasks. These words help you describe how research is designed, evaluated and reported.

2. Essential Vocabulary

Word / Phrase	Meaning
hypothesis	an explanation or prediction that can be tested
evidence	information that supports or challenges a claim
finding	a result discovered through research
sample	the group studied in a piece of research
variable	a factor that can change and affect a result
control group	a comparison group that does not receive the experimental treatment
peer review	evaluation of research by other experts in the field
reliable	likely to produce consistent results
valid	accurately measuring or demonstrating what is claimed
correlation	a relationship between two things that change together
causation	a relationship in which one thing directly causes another
to replicate	to repeat a study to see whether similar results occur

3. Natural Collocations

Phrase	Example
support a hypothesis	The evidence did not support the original hypothesis.
conduct research	The university conducted research into sleep patterns.
publish findings	The team published its findings in a medical journal.
draw a conclusion	It is too early to draw a firm conclusion.

4. Common Mistake

❌ Incorrect	✅ Correct	Why
The research proved a correlation causes it.	The research found a correlation, but did not prove causation.	Correlation and causation are different concepts.

5. Exercises

A. Gap Fill — Complete correctly

1. Researchers tested their ___ using two groups. (hypothesis)

2. The study's ___ included 500 adults. (sample)

3. Other laboratories tried to ___ the experiment. (replicate)

4. The authors published their main ___. (findings)

Answers: 1. hypothesis 2. sample 3. replicate 4. findings

B. Multiple Choice

1. Expert evaluation before publication is...
(a) peer review (b) field work

2. A factor that can change is a...
(a) variable (b) sample

3. A direct cause-and-effect relationship is...
(a) causation (b) correlation

Answers: 1. a 2. a 3. a

6. Mini Quiz

Without looking back, define three words from this topic and use two collocations in your own sentences. Then explain the topic for 60 seconds using at least five target expressions.

7. Exam & Speaking Focus

For Cambridge, IELTS and general speaking practice, avoid memorising isolated words. Use the vocabulary to develop an opinion, give an example, compare situations and explain a consequence. Aim to use two or three strong collocations naturally rather than forcing every new word into one answer.

8. Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'researches' correct?

Usually no. 'Research' is normally uncountable: some research, a research study, several studies.

Can evidence be plural?

In standard academic English, evidence is normally uncountable. Say 'pieces of evidence' rather than 'evidences'.

9. Related Guides

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Science & Research: Essential Vocabulary