Precision in Research Discussion

Study the questions and tasks

Work through the material below, or start the interactive practice above to complete an attempt. Try the exercises before opening any answer or transcript sections, then use them to review your work.

Practice level

C1. Try this level if you can follow the instructions and understand most of the language; choose an earlier level if you need more support.

Question formats

Single choice

How to approach this practice

Read the complete context. Check both the meaning and the grammar, including word forms, collocations and links between sentences.

1. Question 1 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   If the distinction is removed, the conclusion no longer follows. The paper's argument … on a distinction that earlier studies overlooked.

   1. hinges
   2. impinges
   3. infringes
   4. intrudes
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   hinges

   Hinge on means depend critically on. Impinge on means affect or encroach upon, reversing the intended relation.

   hinges: Hinge on means depend critically on. Impinge on means affect or encroach upon, reversing the intended relation.

2. Question 2 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Choose the best completion or reply. The new data calls the original conclusion into ….

   1. querying
   2. asking
   3. interrogative
   4. question
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   question

   Call into question means cast doubt on validity.

3. Question 3 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   The discrepancy warrants a further … before the findings can be accepted.

   1. investigative
   2. investigating
   3. investigation
   4. investigated
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   investigation

   Warrant takes the noun investigation for justified further inquiry.

4. Question 4 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Choose the best completion or reply. The findings should not be extrapolated … populations not represented.

   1. for
   2. to
   3. at
   4. with
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   to

   Extrapolate to extends findings to a different population.

5. Question 5 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Choose the best completion or reply. The analysis makes … allowance for uncertainty.

   1. owing
   2. owing to
   3. due
   4. owed
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   due

   Make due allowance for means consider something appropriately.

6. Question 6 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Choose the best completion or reply. The review draws a distinction … feasibility and desirability.

   1. between
   2. to
   3. with
   4. amongst
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   between

   Distinction between contrasts the two concepts.

7. Question 7 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Choose the best completion or reply. The observed variation cannot be accounted … by age alone.

   1. with
   2. for
   3. of
   4. to
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   for

   Account for means explain; the passive keeps for.

8. Question 8 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Choose the best completion or reply. Only after the model was revised … the anomaly disappear.

   1. did
   2. was
   3. has
   4. had
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   did

   Fronted only after triggers auxiliary inversion; did takes disappear.

9. Question 9 · Single choice

   Choose one answer.

   Choose the best completion or reply. The initial assumption is open … challenge.

   1. for
   2. with
   3. to
   4. at
   Check answers and explanations

   Answer

   to

   Open to challenge means capable of being questioned.

10. Question 10 · Single choice

    Choose one answer.

    Choose the best completion or reply. The authors acknowledge the … limitations of the method.

    1. inherent
    2. inherence
    3. inherently
    4. inheritance
    Check answers and explanations

    Answer

    inherent

    Inherent is the adjective meaning existing as part of the method itself.

11. Question 11 · Single choice

    Choose one answer.

    Choose the best completion or reply. The conclusion rests on evidence … independently verified.

    1. which being
    2. having
    3. that has been
    4. that has
    Check answers and explanations

    Answer

    that has been

    A relative passive clause requires that has been before verified.

12. Question 12 · Single choice

    Choose one answer.

    Choose the best completion or reply. The results are at … with the earlier estimate.

    1. stakes
    2. chances
    3. evens
    4. odds
    Check answers and explanations

    Answer

    odds

    At odds with means in disagreement with.

What to review next

Explain why each answer fits the meaning and structure. Record useful phrases and write a new example using each pattern you found difficult.

A focused practice result shows how you did on these tasks. Use several activities across skills to decide what to study next; one practice score does not certify an overall CEFR level.