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IELTS Science Vocabulary

On this page you will find science vocabulary. These words will help you write about the topic or talk about it in the test. It will also help with your reading if you have a text related to this topic.

At the bottom of the page are links to essays that contain science vocabulary so you can see some of the words in context. 

Useful IELTS Science Vocabulary

vocabulary science

Alternative Medicine

Medical treatments that are not part of traditional, mainstream medicine and are often based on natural remedies or holistic approaches.

  • Many people turn to alternative medicine, such as acupuncture, for chronic pain relief.
  • Critics argue that some forms of alternative medicine lack scientific evidence of effectiveness.

Breakthrough

A significant and sudden advance or discovery in science or technology.

  • Scientists are hoping for a breakthrough in cancer treatment in the near future.
  • The recent breakthrough in renewable energy technology has reduced reliance on fossil fuels.

Clone

A plant or animal which has the same genes as the original from which it was produced.

  • The first animal to be cloned was Dolly the sheep.
  • I believe that cloning humans is unethical.

Conventional Medicine

Medical treatments that are widely accepted and practiced by the mainstream medical community, often based on scientific evidence and research. 

  • Many patients use conventional medicine alongside alternative therapies for comprehensive care.
  • Acute medical problems, such as accidental injury, often require more conventional methods.

DNA

Deoxyribonucleic acid, a self-replicating material that carries genetic information in all living organisms.

  • DNA testing is commonly used to identify biological relationships.
  • The structure of DNA was discovered by Watson and Crick.

Drug Trials

The process of testing a new drug to assess its safety and effectiveness before it is approved for public use.

  • Drug trials are essential for determining the safety of new medications.
  • Ethical concerns often arise in drug trials, particularly regarding informed consent and risk to participants.

Ethics

The moral principles that govern a person's behavior or the conducting of an activity, especially in research and medicine.

  • The ethics of animal testing is a hotly debated topic.
  • Many argue that ethics should take precedence over profit in pharmaceutical research.

Experiment

A test done in order to learn something or to find out whether something works or is true.

  • Experimenting on animals is necessary in order to discover if new drugs are dangerous or not.
  • Scientists are conducting experiments to test the effectiveness of the new drug.

Gene

A part of the DNA in a cell which contains information in a special pattern received by each animal or plant from its parents, and which controls its physical development, behaviour, etc.

  • Genes are an important factor in personality development.
  • The doctors think many illnesses are  genetic and so could be passed from parents to children.

Genetic Engineering or Modification

Changing the structure of the genes of a living thing in order to make it healthier, stronger, or more useful to humans.

  • There is evidence that genetically modified food is harmful to humans.
  • Some plants have been genetically engineered to be resistant to herbicides.

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)

Plants, animals, or microorganisms that have changed through genetic engineering.

  • Most commercialised GMO crop plants are insect-resistant and/or herbicide-tolerant.

Geoengineering

The deliberate large-scale intervention in the Earth’s climate system, in order to try and control global warming.

  • Some scientists believe geoengineering is the only way to reduce the warming of the climate.
  • Controlling the weather by geoengineering is a possible solution to climate change, but it is controversial.

High-Tech

Using the most advanced and developed machines and methods.

  • Japan is a very high-tech country. Everyone has all the latest electronic gadgets.

Pharmaceutical

Relating to the production and sale of medicines and drugs.

  • The pharmaceutical industry is one of the most profitable in the world.
  • The pharmaceutical sector is often criticised for the high cost of medications.

Placebo

A drug which has no physical effects, used in pharmaceutical tests to compare the physical effects of taking a real drug from its psychological effects.

  • Pharmaceutical companies use placebos during research to eliminate psychological factors from their results.

Placebo Effect

The phenomenon where someone's condition improves because they think they are taking medicine.

  • The placebo effect demonstrates how a patient's mindset and expectations can influence their recovery.

Proof

Evidence or argument establishing a fact or the truth of a statement.

  • The amount of evidence that scientists now have proves that climate change is being caused by humans.
  • We now have proof that climate change is caused by human activity.

Side Effect

An extra, usually bad, occurrence caused by taking a drug.

  • Drugs should not be tested on animals because there are many possible side effects.
  • Much of today's modern medicine has side effects. I prefer alternative therapies.

Theory

A formal statement of the rules on which a subject of study is based, or ideas suggested to explain a fact or event.

  • There are two opposing theories on the causes of climate change — one says it is caused by humans, the other believes it is a natural cycle.

Vaccination

The process of introducing a vaccine into the body to produce immunity to a specific disease.

  • Vaccination has significantly reduced the prevalence of many diseases.
  • The COVID-19 vaccination program was one of the largest in history.

Virus

A microscopic infectious agent that can replicate only inside the living cells of an organism. However, it is also used in relation to problems with computers. 

  • The flu is caused by a virus that spreads easily from person to person.
  • Computer viruses can damage files and compromise data security.

Check out more science vocabulary in these science related essays:

Cloning Essay

Scientific Research Essay

Alternative Medicine Essay

More Topic Related Vocabulary:


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