What does apparatus mean?
Word: Apparatus
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: Apparatus means the set of tools, machines or equipment needed for a particular job, experiment or activity.
Synonyms: equipment, gear, device, machinery
How do you spell apparatus?
Syllables: ap - pa - ra - tus
Tricky part: Only the p is doubled; the r is single.
Watch out for: aparatus, apparratus
Memory tip: Picture two test tubes standing side by side in a rack: that is the double p of apparatus, and nothing after it is doubled.
Apparatus in a sentence
Example 1: The hospital bought new apparatus to test patients' hearing.
Example 2: Climbers on Mount Everest often carry breathing apparatus because the air is so thin.
Example 3: At the gym, Aditya trains on every apparatus except the rings.
Fun Fact
In gymnastics, the beam, the rings, the vault and the bars are each called an apparatus, and gymnasts are scored separately on every piece.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Tally
Give 2 marks for each correctly spelt word. How many marks does the list score?
apparatus, beeker, microscope, funnell, thermometer
a) 4
b) 8
c) 6
d) 10
Show answer
c) 6. Apparatus, microscope and thermometer are right; beaker is spelt with ea and funnel has one l at the end.
Spell Spies
Choose the misspelt word/s in the given sentence:
Before the experiment, our teacher checked the apperatus and reminded us to wear safety gogles.
a) apperatus and gogles
b) only experiment
c) only apperatus
d) experiment and gogles
Show answer
a) apperatus and gogles. Apparatus has an a after the double p, and goggles has a double g in the middle.
Word Puzzle
Match the words with the correct options:
1. apparatus 2. laboratory 3. specimen a. a small sample taken for testing b. the equipment needed for a particular task c. a room used for scientific experiments
a) 1-b, 2-c, 3-a
b) 1-a, 2-c, 3-b
c) 1-c, 2-b, 3-a
d) 1-b, 2-a, 3-c
Show answer
a) 1-b, 2-c, 3-a. Equipment, a room for experiments and a sample for testing all belong in a science lab, but each word names a different one.
Sound Check
In which word is 'ra' pronounced differently?
a) apparatus
b) decoration
c) parachute
d) separation
Show answer
c) parachute. In parachute, ra has a weak, short a; in apparatus, separation and decoration it rhymes with ray.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. A diver's underwater apparatus includes ___.
a) an air tank
b) a fishing rod
c) a sail
d) an oar
Show answer
a) an air tank
2. A chemistry teacher would call ___ apparatus.
a) the school timetable
b) the textbook glossary
c) the class register
d) test tubes and a burner
Show answer
d) test tubes and a burner
