Practice English Vocabulary B2 Exercises – Science and technology

A. Choose the correct answer.

Modern science

It seems entirely (1) ………… to us that there are teams of scientists in universities and other institutions around the world, attempting to (2) ………… the way the world works. However, it hasn’t always been that (3) ………… . Although the scientific method is now four or five hundred years old, the ancient Greeks, for example, believed that they could work out the (4) ………… of natural events just by the power of thought.

During the 17th century, more and more people began to realise that they could (5) ………… their scientific ideas by designing a relevant (6) ………… and seeing what happened. A lot of (7) ………… was made in this way by individual scientists. These men and women often worked alone, carrying out (8) ………… into many different areas of science, and they often received very little (9) ………… for their hard work. At the start of the 20th century, though, it became (10) ………… that science was becoming more complicated and more expensive. The individual scientist disappeared, to be replaced by highly qualified teams of experts. Modern science was born.

1    A physical              B natural            C typical         D real

2    A create                 B invent              C construct    D discover

3    A route                  B method           C way              D technique

4    A aims                   B reasons           C causes         D impulses

5    A calculate            B estimate         C measure     D test

6    A experiment       B research         C attempt      D analysis

7    A development    B movement     C progress     D evolution

8    A research            B experiment    C discovery    D education

9    A award                B prize                C gift               D reward

10 A clear                   B true                  C accurate     D actual

B. Circle the correct word.

1   Many materials have been used for artificial / false teeth, including wood.

2   Be careful! You might give yourself an electric / electronic shock!

3   I’m afraid the problem with your washing machine is the engine / motor.

4   Many employers in the chemicals industry / factory object to the new law.

5   My computing exam is taking place / occurring next week.

6   Technology is a fundamental part of new / modern life.

7   We had our car serviced and it seems there’s a problem with the engine / machine.

C. Complete using the correct form of the words in the box.

1   A lorry had ………………… down on the motorway and we had to wait for over an hour.

2   I have ………………… it down to two computer games, but I still can’t make up my mind.

3   I wish you would ………………… the TV off and go outside and get some exercise.

4   Scientists are trying to ………………… out ways to reduce pollution from aircraft.

5   Tomorrow, we will be ………………… out an experiment to test this theory.

6   Who ………………… up with the idea of the ball-point pen?

7   I’ll just ………………… you through to our research department. Please hold on.

8   No wonder the vacuum cleaner isn’t working. You haven’t ………………… it in!

D. Match to make sentences.

A   off because she forgot to pay the bill.

B   metals such as lead into gold.

C   out who discovered penicillin.

D   on in physics over the last year.

E   off fumes that can be harmful.

F   off and the experiment was a success.

E. Choose the correct answer.

1   I don’t think people should be allowed to perform experiments ………… animals.

        A for             B over

        C on              D to

2   There was an explosion in technology ………… the beginning of the 20th century.

        A in                B at

        C through     D on

3   Let’s face ………… – we are destroying the environment and we need to do something now.

        A truth          B facts

        C things        D information

4   The distance from the Earth to the Sun is, ………… average, about 149 million kilometres.

        A by               B on

        C from          D in

5   It’s amazing that creatures survive ………… the bottom of the ocean.

        A in                B by

        C at               D to

6   Fox Talbot ………… the first photograph in 1835.

        A gave          B did

        C drew          D took

7   Researchers have ………… to the conclusion that your personality is affected by your genes.

        A come         B got

        C reached    D arrived

8   Do you mind if I just ………… a quick phone call from here?

        A do              B take

        C have          D make

9   Many lives were saved ………… the introduction of antibiotics.

        A into            B at

        C with           D in

10   The ………… of the nuclear accident is still unknown.

        A reason      B cause

        C base           D motive

11   My father works at the university, doing research ………… weather control.

        A on              B to

        C of               D from

12   The telescope will photograph distant galaxies, ………… an attempt to understand their past.

        A on              B for

        C with           D in

F. Complete each second sentence using the word given, so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence. Write between two and five words in each gap.

1   The mistake by scientists caused a massive explosion.   in

      The mistake by scientists …………………………… a massive explosion.

2   Dr Atherton finally succeeded in discovering the secret formula.   managed

      Dr Atherton finally …………………………… the secret formula.

3   Another name for icon oxide is ‘fool’s gold’.   as

      Iron oxide …………………………… ‘fool’s gold’.

4   Many local residents intend to protest about the nuclear power plant.   plant

      Many local residents …………………………… about the nuclear power plant.

5   We are thinking of appointing Dr Knight to the position of Professor.   considering

      We …………………………… the position of Professor.

6   We cannot live in outer space without special equipment.   us

      It …………………………… to live in outer space without special equipment.

G. Use the word given in capitals to form a word that fits in the gap.

Qualcomp Powertop

Qualcomp have just brought out their (1) …………………. (REVOLUTION) new handled computer, the Powertop. It’s (2) …………………. (POSSIBLE) not to love it, with its smooth, shine (3) …………………. (APPEAR) and its bright screen. It might not be the best (4) …………………. (INTRODUCE) to handheld computing because it is quite advanced, but you’ll find an (5) …………………. (EXPLAIN) of all the features in the detailed manual. The Powertop has been (6) …………………. (SCIENCE) designed to fit a lot of computing power in your palm. The (7) …………………. (INVENT) of a unique wireless Internet connection means there’s a world of (8) …………………. (DISCOVER) just waiting for you. We give the Powertop nine out of ten.

H. Complete the sentences by changing the form of the word in capitals when this is necessary.

1   Did you know that George Washington had …………………. (WOOD) teeth?

2   The old astronomer patiently made his …………………. (OBSERVE) and wrote down what he saw.

3   …………………. (RESEARCH) have announced that a major breakthrough has been made.

4   I’m planning to train as a …………………. (PSYCHOLOGY) when I grow up.

5   That red …………………. (BUILD) over there is the Science Department.

6   The scientist said she had an announcement of international …………………. (IMPORTANT).

7   Science Weekly has a special …………………. (INTRODUCE) offer – the first issue is free!

8   If there are aliens out there, do you think they are much more …………………. (TECHNOLOGY) advanced than we are?