Spot the correct spelling of weather science.

Correct — B. The word is meteor + -ology, and both parts keep every letter: meteor-ology.

Check the stem first. Meteor is spelt m-e-t-e-o-r, so the word must begin meteor-, which rules out Meterology and Metereology.

Then the ending: English writes -logy, as in biology and geology → option (b).

Why the others are wrong

• (a)
  Meterology — Meterology drops the o of meteor, so the stem reads 'meter', a different word. Say all six syllables, me-te-o-rol-o-gy, and the o is there.
• (c)
  Meteorologie — Meteorologie has the right stem but the wrong ending. English writes this ending -logy, as in biology and geology.
• (d)
  Metereology — Metereology spells the stem 'meter' instead of meteor, then adds -eology. In meteor the o comes before the r.

Meteorology is the science of the atmosphere, especially as a means of forecasting the weather. It is not the study of shooting stars.

The link is old usage: meteor once meant any atmospheric phenomenon. It comes from Greek meteōros, 'lofty, high in the air'.

For spelling, split the word at its seam, meteor + -ology. Every letter of meteor survives.

Key facts

• Meteorology is the science of the atmosphere and weather forecasting.
• It is built as meteor + -ology, keeping every letter of meteor.
• Meteor once meant any atmospheric phenomenon, from Greek meteōros, 'lofty'.
• A specialist is a meteorologist, and the adjective is meteorological.

Common traps

• Writing the stem as meter, which gives Meterology
• Assuming meteorology is the study of meteors

No directly related past PYQ was found.