A statement or possible explanation that attempts to answer a scientific question?

• A. Conclusion
• B. Observation
• C. Theory
• D. Hypothesis

Answer: (D)

A hypothesis is a tentative, testable explanation for a specific scientific question. It proposes a possible cause-and-effect relationship that you can test with experiments or observations. The key is that it makes a prediction that can be tested and potentially falsified, which is what drives the scientific method forward.

Observations are what you notice or measure in the natural world, providing data that can lead to hypotheses. Conclusions are the inferences you draw after analyzing results from tests. Theories are well-supported, broad explanations that integrate many verified hypotheses and observations. So, when a statement or possible explanation is offered to answer a scientific question and is meant to be tested, that fits the idea of a hypothesis.