test

Universal Words noun, verb noun of knowledge / ability 1 ~ (on sth) an examination of sb's knowledge or ability, consisting of questions for them to answer or activities for them to carry out: an IQ / intelligence / aptitude test * to take a test * (BrE) to do a test * a test on irregular verbs * to pass / fail a test * (BrE) a good mark in the test * (AmE) a good grade on the test HELPNOTE Use take / do / sit a test not _w_r_i_t_e_ _a_ _t_e_s_t_._ seealsoDRIVINGTEST -< EXAM of health 2 a medical examination to discover what is wrong with you or to check the condition of your health: a test for Aids * an eye test * a pregnancy test * When can I get my test results? * We'll need to carry out a series of tests. * The hospital is doing some tests. seealsoBLOODTEST, BREATHTEST of machine / product, etc. 3 an experiment to discover whether or how well sth works, or to find out more information about it: laboratory tests * a nuclear test * Tests have shown high levels of pollutants in the water. seealsoACIDTEST, FIELDTEST, MEANSTEST, ROADTEST of strength, etc. 4 a situation or an event that shows how good, strong, etc. sb/sth is: The local elections will be a good test of the government's popularity. * The match with Dundee is a real test of character for us. * He saw their separation as a test of the strength of their love. in cricket, etc. 5 = TESTMATCH: They played well in the first test against South Africa. IDIOMS put sb/sth to the test to put sb/sth in a situation which will show what their true qualities are: His theories have never really been put to the test. stand the test of time to prove to be good, popular, etc. over a long period of time: Her poetry will stand the test of time. verb knowledge / ability 1 to examine sb's knowledge or ability by asking them questions or giving them activities to carry out: [VN] We test your English before deciding which class to put you in. * Children are tested on core subjects at ages 7, 11 and 14. * [V] Schools use various methods of testing. health 2 ~ sb/sth (for sth) to examine the blood, a part of the body, etc. to find out what is wrong with a person, or to check the condition of their health: [VN] to test sb's eyesight / hearing * The doctor tested him for hepatitis. * [V-ADJ] to test positive / negative * Two athletes tested positive for steroids. machine / product, etc. 3 [VN] ~ sth (on sth / for sth) to use a machine, product or substance to find out how well it works or to find out more information about it: You should test your brakes regularly. * Our beauty products are not tested on animals. * The water is regularly tested for purity. strength, etc. 4 [VN] to be difficult and therefore need all your strength, ability, etc: The long climb tested our fitness and stamina. seealsoTESTING IDIOMS test the waters to find out what the situation is before doing sth or making a decision moreatTRIED PHRASALVERBS test for sth