A(n) _______ is a proposed explanation for a set of observations. It leads to predictions that can be tested by additional observations or by experiments.

• A. Theory
• B. Inductive Reasoning
• C. Hypothesis
• D. Controlled Experiment

Answer: (C)

A hypothesis is a proposed explanation for observations that leads to predictions you can test through additional observations or experiments. It is a statement you can evaluate with data, and it should be specific and testable so you can determine whether the predictions hold true under different conditions. For example, if you observe that a plant grows taller with more light, you might hypothesize that increased light directly promotes photosynthesis, and you’d then predict that providing even more light will boost growth further, which you could test by growing plants under different light levels.

This differs from a theory, which is a broad, well-supported framework that explains many related phenomena and why they occur. It also isn’t the process of reasoning itself (inductive reasoning), which is about drawing general conclusions from specific observations, nor is it a controlled experiment, which is a method used to test a hypothesis by manipulating variables while keeping others constant.