Science & Technology

Overview

10 B1-level words for science, technology, and innovation.

Words

battery /ˈbætəɹi/

noun — B1

Meaning: A device used to power electric devices, consisting of a set of electrically connected electrochemical or, archaically, electrostatic cells. A single such cell when used by itself.

Example:

• The battery is very important.
• She talked about the battery.

Collocations: the battery, a battery of, battery is important

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chemical /ˈkɛmɪkəl/

adjective, noun — B1

Meaning: Any specific chemical element or chemical compound or alloy.

Example:

• The result was very chemical.
• It’s a chemical situation.

Collocations: very chemical, quite chemical, extremely chemical

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keyboard /ˈkiːbɔːd/

noun — B1

Meaning: (etc.) A set of keys used to operate a typewriter, computer etc.

Example:

• The keyboard is very important.
• Keyboarding is the part of this job I hate the most.

Collocations: the keyboard, a keyboard of, keyboard is important

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laboratory /ləˈbɔɹətɹi/

noun — B1

Meaning: A room, building or institution equipped for scientific research, experimentation or analysis.

Example:

• The laboratory is very important.
• She talked about the laboratory.

Collocations: the laboratory, a laboratory of, laboratory is important

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operation /ˌɒpəˈɹeɪʃən/

noun — B1

Meaning: The method by which a device performs its function.

Example:

• The operation is very important.
• She talked about the operation.

Collocations: the operation, a operation of, operation is important

Word family: operate (đt.) → operation (dt.) → operator (dt.) → operational (tt.)

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prediction /pɹɪˈdɪkʃn/

noun — B1

Meaning: A statement of what will happen in the future.

Example:

• The prediction is very important.
• She talked about the prediction.

Collocations: the prediction, a prediction of, prediction is important

Word family: predict (đt.) → prediction (dt.) → predictable (tt.)

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robot /ˈɹoʊbət/

noun — B1

Meaning: A machine built to carry out some complex task or group of tasks by physically moving, especially one which can be programmed.

Example:

• The robot is very important.
• She talked about the robot.

Collocations: the robot, a robot of, robot is important

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scientific /ˌsaɪənˈtɪfɪk/

adjective — B1

Meaning: Of, or having to do with science.

Example:

• The result was very scientific.
• It’s a scientific situation.

Collocations: very scientific, quite scientific, extremely scientific

Word family: science (dt.) → scientific (tt.) → scientifically (trt.) → scientist (dt.)

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software /ˈsɑftˌwɛɹ/

noun — B1

Meaning: Encoded computer instructions, usually modifiable (unless stored in some form of unalterable memory such as ROM).

Example:

• The software is very important.
• She talked about the software.

Collocations: the software, a software of, software is important

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technique /tɛkˈniːk/

noun — B1

Meaning: The practical aspects of a given art, occupation etc.; formal requirements.

Example:

• The technique is very important.
• She talked about the technique.

Collocations: the technique, a technique of, technique is important

Word family: technical (tt.) → technically (trt.) → technique (dt.) → technology (dt.)

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Quick Review

Word	Type	Meaning
battery	n.	A device used to power electric devices, consisting of a set of electrically connected electrochemical or, archaically, electrostatic cells
chemical	adj./n.	Any specific chemical element or chemical compound or alloy
keyboard	n.	(etc
laboratory	n.	A room, building or institution equipped for scientific research, experimentation or analysis
operation	n.	The method by which a device performs its function
prediction	n.	A statement of what will happen in the future
robot	n.	A machine built to carry out some complex task or group of tasks by physically moving, especially one which can be programmed
scientific	adj.	Of, or having to do with science
software	n.	Encoded computer instructions, usually modifiable (unless stored in some form of unalterable memory such as ROM)
technique	n.	The practical aspects of a given art, occupation etc