Epidemiology Vocabulary Quiz
12 multiple-choice questions on epidemiology and public health vocabulary: incidence, prevalence, pandemic, R number, herd immunity, quarantine, contact tracing and case fatality rate. B2 level.
This quiz focuses on how the target vocabulary for Epidemiology is actually used in context at B2 level, rather than testing bare definitions. Correct answers you will need to identify include terms such as incidence, prevalence, pandemic, reproduction and spreading, each embedded in a full example sentence so you have to judge meaning from context, not just recognise an isolated word.
Working through all 12 questions and checking the explanations in the FAQ below is a quick way to spot any terms you are still unsure of. Revisiting the quiz again after a day or two, rather than only once, is one of the most reliable ways to move new vocabulary from passive recognition into words you can use confidently yourself in speaking and writing.
Keep building your epidemiology vocabulary.
Epidemiology Vocabulary — FAQ
What is the difference between 'incidence' and 'prevalence'?
Incidence refers to the number of NEW cases of a disease in a population during a specific time period. Prevalence refers to the total number of existing cases at a given point in time. A long-lasting disease can have low incidence but high prevalence because people live with it for a long time.
What is the difference between an 'epidemic' and a 'pandemic'?
An epidemic is a sudden increase in cases above what is normally expected in a region. A pandemic is an epidemic that has spread across multiple countries or continents. The WHO officially declares a pandemic. An endemic disease is one that is constantly present at a predictable level in a particular area.
What is the R number?
The R number represents the average number of people one infected person will pass a disease on to. Above 1, the disease is spreading; below 1, the outbreak is shrinking. The basic R0 is in a fully susceptible population; the effective Rt changes as immunity builds and measures are introduced.
What does 'herd immunity' mean?
Herd immunity occurs when enough of a population has become immune — through vaccination or prior infection — that the disease can no longer spread easily. The proportion needed is called the herd immunity threshold, which varies by disease (e.g. around 95% for measles).
What is the difference between 'isolation' and 'quarantine'?
Isolation separates people confirmed to be sick from those who are not. Quarantine separates people who have been exposed but have not yet shown symptoms. Isolation is for confirmed cases; quarantine is for contacts or those at risk of exposure.
What is the 'case fatality rate' (CFR)?
The CFR is the proportion of confirmed cases that result in death. It varies depending on health care quality and how thoroughly cases are detected. It differs from the infection fatality rate (IFR), which includes all infections including undetected ones.
What is 'contact tracing'?
Contact tracing identifies and monitors people who may have been in contact with someone infected. It is a key strategy for containing outbreaks. Public health workers trace contacts, advise testing or quarantine, and break the chain of transmission. Digital apps became widely used during COVID-19.
What is a 'vector' in epidemiology?
A vector is an organism — typically an insect — that transmits a pathogen from one host to another. Mosquitoes are vectors for malaria and dengue fever. Ticks are vectors for Lyme disease. The vector itself does not usually become ill.
What does 'asymptomatic' mean?
Asymptomatic describes a person infected with a pathogen who shows no symptoms. Asymptomatic individuals can still transmit the infection to others, making them challenging to identify during an outbreak. This played a major role in the rapid spread of COVID-19.
What is a 'cohort study'?
A cohort study follows a group of people sharing a common characteristic over time to see who develops a particular disease. For example, comparing lung cancer rates in smokers and non-smokers. Cohort studies are valuable for establishing causal links between risk factors and diseases.