The Scientific Approach Steps: Reading Comprehension For English Learners

Reading Comprehension about the scientific Approach Steps

Please, read the following text about the scientific approach steps and do the tasks.

Pre-Reading Activity: Vocabulary Matching

Matching Exercise: Match each word to its definition before you begin reading.

Words	Definitions
1. Hypothesis	A. Facts, figures, and other information gathered from observations.
2. Observation	B. A factor that can change and may affect the outcome of an experiment.
3. Experiment	C. An educated guess or proposed explanation based on limited evidence.
4. Analysis	D. A final decision or judgment based on evidence and reasoning.
5. Conclusion	E. The detailed examination of data and information.
6. Variable	F. The action of carefully watching and noticing details.
7. Data	G. A test conducted to confirm or disprove a hypothesis.

See Answers Below

Discussion

In small groups discuss the following quote about the scientific approach:

“The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing.”
— Albert Einstein

Discussion Questions

What does this quote mean to you?
Why do you think curiosity is important in the scientific method?
How can questioning and curiosity lead to discoveries?
Can you think of an example where being curious helped you learn something new?

Reading Comprehension Text: The Scientific Method

The Scientific Method

The scientific method is a step-by-step process that helps scientists explore questions, test ideas, and find answers. This approach is essential in many fields, from biology and chemistry to physics and psychology. Understanding the scientific method helps students develop strong problem-solving skills and critical thinking.

The first step in the scientific method is observation, where scientists notice something interesting in the world around them. They then form a hypothesis, which is an educated guess about what they think will happen. For example, a student might hypothesize that plants grow faster in natural sunlight than in artificial light.

Next, scientists conduct experiments to test their hypothesis. An experiment must be carefully designed and should include variables, which are factors that can change. There are two types of variables: independent (the one that scientists change) and dependent (the one that scientists measure).

After the experiment, scientists gather and analyze data, which are facts and observations collected during the experiment. They use this information to see if their hypothesis is correct or incorrect. Finally, they draw a conclusion based on their findings. If the hypothesis is correct, the conclusion supports it. If not, the conclusion shows that a different explanation may be needed.

The scientific method encourages curiosity, promotes evidence-based learning, and can be applied to everyday problems, making it an invaluable tool beyond the science classroom.

More about the Scientific Approach Steps

Comprehension Questions: True or False

The scientific method is used only in chemistry and biology. (___)
A hypothesis is an educated guess that scientists make before experimenting. (___)
The first step in the scientific method is to analyze data. (___)
Variables are factors in an experiment that can change. (___)
Data includes information collected during an experiment. (___)
Scientists can only draw a conclusion if their hypothesis is correct. (___)
The scientific method encourages people to rely on evidence and think critically. (___)

Answer Key

Show Answers Hide Answers

Matching Exercise
1. → Hypothesis – C. An educated guess or proposed explanation based on limited evidence.
2. → Observation – F. The action of carefully watching and noticing details.
3. → Experiment – G. A test conducted to confirm or disprove a hypothesis.
4. → Analysis – E. The detailed examination of data and information.
5. → Conclusion – D. A final decision or judgment based on evidence and reasoning.
6. → Variable – B. A factor that can change and may affect the outcome of an experiment.
7. → Data – A. Facts, figures, and other information gathered from observations.
True or False Exercise
1. → False
2. → True
3. → False
4. → True
5. → True
6. → False
7. → True

Drag and drop the steps of the scientific method into the correct chronological order to complete the sequence.

Post-Reading Activity

Option 1: Discussion Activity

Discussion on how to use the scientific method in daily life.
- “Can you think of a problem you solved by following a similar process?”
- “How could understanding the scientific method help you make better decisions?”

Option 2: Writing Activity

Write a short paragraph describing an experiment you would like to try, using the scientific method structure. You should include an observation and a hypothesis, and outline an experiment they might conduct.

Option 3: Poster Drawing Activity

Create a poster illustrating the steps of the scientific method, including drawings or examples to represent each step. You can work in pairs or small groups to design and present your posters to the class.

Table of Contents