Joy English
Joy English

C1 Use of English

C1Research and evidence30 min

Test 1: Research, evidence and doubt

An advanced mixed test about how scientific claims are weighed, reported and doubted: collocation, linkers, inversion and word formation.

This C1 Use of English test mixes collocation, fixed phrases, linking words, advanced grammar and word formation. All the sentences are about how research is carried out, reported and questioned. In Part 1 you choose the best option, in Part 2 you write one missing word, and in Part 3 you change a word so that it fits the sentence.

Exercise 1 of 3

Part 1: Multiple-choice gaps

Choose the word or phrase that best completes each sentence.

  1. Journalists sometimes _____ the significance of a single small study, presenting tentative results as settled fact.

  2. The correlation was strong, but that does not _____ imply that one factor causes the other.

  3. Not until the data had been re-analysed _____ the original error come to light.

  4. The sample was small; _____, the results were consistent across all three sites.

  5. The authors _____ their claims with several caveats, noting that more work is needed.

  6. The new theory has been _____ a good deal of scepticism.

  7. The research, the findings of _____ are freely available, was funded by a charity.

  8. Had the researchers _____ the sample earlier, they might have avoided the bias.

0 of 8 answered

Exercise 2 of 3

Part 2: Open gaps

Type one word in each gap.

  1. The report stops of claiming that the drug is completely safe.

  2. The effect, far as the evidence suggests, is modest.

  3. Little the researchers know that their error would be exposed within a week.

  4. Convincing they may seem, the results do not prove a causal link.

  5. The scientists were reluctant to speculate the cause until more data came in.

  6. Rather accept the findings at face value, the editor asked for an independent review.

  7. The journal has a policy which every paper must include a statement on funding.

  8. Whatever the merits of the study, it cannot be taken proof that the treatment works.

0 of 8 answered

Exercise 3 of 3

Part 3: Word formation

Use the word in CAPITALS at the end of each sentence to form a word that fits the gap. Type one word.

  1. Critics described the sampling as and open to bias. (SYSTEM)

  2. The of the findings has been questioned by several teams. (VALID)

  3. Her claim was never by independent evidence. (SUBSTANCE)

  4. There is widespread with the way results are reported, and many scientists are calling for reform. (SATISFY)

  5. The committee's commitment to reassured the public. (TRANSPARENT)

  6. It would be to draw firm conclusions from so little data. (WISE)

  7. The of the team's approach lay in combining two methods. (ORIGIN)

  8. The figures were presented in the press release. (MISLEAD)

0 of 8 answered

Source

Original lesson by Joy English.

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