This lesson practises 30 C2 collocations on Science & Technology. Collocations are fixed word pairings that native speakers expect — Cambridge examiners test them in Use of English Part 1 and reward precise lexis in Writing. Run through the interactive drills first, then open this glossary to revise every item in the set. For question-by-question feedback, use Review mode after you finish the session.
think laterally
To solve the design problem, the engineers had to think laterally.
respond to an emergency
The automated system can respond to an emergency within seconds.
disseminate information
The observatory uses its website to disseminate information about solar activity.
glimmer of light
A glimmer of light appeared at the end of the fibre-optic cable.
set the wheels in motion
The pilot study helped set the wheels in motion for a wider trial.
deliriously happy
At a laboratory briefing, the researchers were deliriously happy.
item of information
One item of information in the log explained the error.
find happiness
Some developers find happiness in solving difficult technical problems.
eager anticipation
The launch was met with eager anticipation among the research team.
amazing degree of accuracy
The sensor measured the sample with an amazing degree of accuracy.
high-definition TV
The studio used a high-definition TV to review the footage.
push back the frontiers
The mission aims to push back the frontiers of planetary science.
approve a plan
The ethics board must approve a plan before data collection begins.
cutting-edge design
The prototype demonstrates a cutting-edge design for low-energy cooling.
snippet of information
A snippet of information in the email helped identify the fault.
substantial reward
The prize offered a substantial reward for a verified breakthrough.
state of confusion
The unclear error message left users in a state of confusion.
harness technology
Hospitals can harness technology to reduce waiting times.
engineering works
The bridge will close while major engineering works are completed.
rich source
The archive is a rich source of data for climate researchers.
profound admiration
The students expressed profound admiration for the scientist's work.
get remote access to something
The secure portal gives staff remote access to their email from home.
ensure data integrity
Regular checks help ensure data integrity in the archive.
greatly appreciate
Researchers greatly appreciate detailed feedback from peer reviewers.
present findings
The team will present findings at the annual science forum.
halt production
A fault in the safety system forced the factory to halt production.
channel of communication
The dashboard provides a channel of communication between researchers and users.
flat-screen TV
The lab installed a flat-screen TV for displaying live data feeds.
install equipment
The engineers installed equipment at the new research centre.
deploy an algorithm
The team will deploy an algorithm to identify unusual patterns.