noun · academic
hypothesis
UK/haɪˈpɒθəsɪs/US/haɪˈpɑːθəsɪs/hy·PO·the·sis
Band 7+speakingtask2
a proposed explanation for a phenomenon that can be tested
Examples
“The researchers proposed a hypothesis that exposure to green space improves concentration.”
“Before you collect data, you should state your hypothesis clearly.”
“In this study we test the hypothesis that sleep affects memory consolidation.”
Band 8 sentence
“Based on preliminary observations, we formulated a clear hypothesis to guide the experiment.”
Collocations
- formulate a hypothesis
- test a hypothesis
- support/confirm/refute a hypothesis
Word family
hypothesize verbhypothetical adjective
Common mistakes
use 'theory' instead of 'hypothesis'→hypothesis
Say it for a higher band
5idea→6assumption→7+hypothesis
Synonyms
theory
Easily confused
theory
“The hypothesis was supported by the experimental results.”
Related words
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In Sublist 6
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