The Ologies Quiz: We'll Give You the Subject Area, You Give Us the "Ology"

By: Lauren Lubas
Estimated Completion Time
3 min
The Ologies Quiz: We'll Give You the Subject Area, You Give Us the "Ology"
Image: eclipse_images / E+ / Getty Images

About This Quiz

The suffix ology basically means the study of or sector of knowledge of something ... anything. For example, the study of numbers is called numerology, and the study of hymns is hymnology (seriously). There is a study for basically everything that exists.  Sure, some ologies take a lot of work and studying, as well as years of college courses and expensive books. There are, however, other ologies that you may not have heard of, and whether or not you know it, you could actually be an ologist of something (if you're obsessed with it enough). 

We've scoured the planet for the various ologies that are out there, wanting nothing more than to find the ologies you've probably never heard of (and maybe a few that you know about from your core classes in college) and created this quiz to see if you can keep up with some of the experts in ologies (ology-ologists, if you will). We're going to give you a description of a subject areas, and we want you to tell us what ology we're talking about. What are you waiting for? Take this quiz to figure out how good you are at calling out the ologies of the world.

What is the study of live and living things?
Biology
One of the most important sciences in the world is biology. Strides in biological studies have brought us better understanding of our minds, our bodies and how the world around us affects us. Not to mention the fact that biologists don't just study the human body, but every carbon-based life form on the planet.
Technology
Psychology
Anthropology

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Do you know what it's called when you study how humans act, why they act that way and how they interact in social situations?
Anthropology
Sociology
To be more specific, sociology is the study of social behavior among human beings. For example, a sociopath would be discovered during a sociological study, because they exhibit antisocial behavior as well as a lack of empathy and sympathy.
Biology
Ideology

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Do you know which -ology focuses on the care of newborn babies?
Neuropsychology
Otolaryngology
Paleontology
Neonatology
"Neo" means new, and "Natal" means birth, put them together and add an -ology, and you have Neonatology, which is the subset of pediatrics that focuses on caring for sick or underdeveloped newborn children.

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This is the study of names and trends in naming babies. What is it?
Dialectology
Crytopzoology
Ecophysiology
Otomatology
It's always interesting to review the baby naming trends throughout the years. However, otomatologists these days may have some issues with odd spellings and the human race disregarding capitalization rules altogether ... we're looking at you JaxSon's mom.

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Which ology includes a bunch of people who are interested in volcanoes?
Lavology
Myology
Volcanology
Volcanolgists have a pretty hot job ... literally. It is also a very tough job, because in order to study volcanoes, you also have to know quite a bit about geology, earthquakes and various other sciences.
ichthyology

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There is a science to creating definition for technical terms. Can you name it?
Methodology
Archaeology
Orismology
Some people don't know that there are sciences and studies for the most basic things in the world, including defining technical terms. While you might think they are called dictionaryologists, they actually practice orismology.
Cryobiology

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What ology focuses on how pressure can relieve pain?
Reflexology
Reflexology uses body maps to determine where to apply pressure to ease other parts of the body. Reflexology has its roots in Eastern medicine. It typically focuses on applying pressure to the hands and feet.
Psychopathology
Pathology
Mythology

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Can you name the ology that regards researching the Russian government's policies?
USSRology
Soviology
Kremlinology
While archeology is the study of cultures of the past, there are other studies that show us what specific cultures have done. Consider the Egyptologist, and tell us why there shouldn't be Kremlinologist.
Putinology

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Which ology is all about the world's oceans?
Litterology
Histophysiology
Criminology
Oceanology
Oceanology is one of the most important sciences today. Oceanologists are teaching us the dangers of climate change and learning about what our waste is doing to sea animals all over the planet.

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Do you know the branch of medicine that studies people's immunity to diseases?
Parasitology
Dialectology
Liturgiology
Immunopathology
The best way to understand disease to study those who are not affected by the disease. What do they have that those afflicted don't? This question helps scientists find vaccinations and cures.

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Which of these is the study of religions?
Ethnomusicology
Theology
There are many branches of theology that get specific to the different common threads between religions. While many religions have their own stories of the past and predictions for the future, theology studies how these connect.
Sinology
Histology

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This ology focuses on death and dying. Can you name it?
Thanatology
This isn't the study of what happens after you die. Rather, it is the study of how people cope with death, dying and terminal illness. It focuses on both the people afflicted and their families to gain a greater understanding of the human condition.
Geology
Psychology
Sociology

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The study of earthquakes and how the earth works is what?
Volcanology
Seismology
Those who study volcanology know that seismology is an incredibly important science. While many weather phenomena have warning signs, earthquakes can be a little unpredictable. Seismologists are working on a warning system for people.
Theology
Phenomenology

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Can you name the branch of medicine that studies vein and vein-related diseases?
Ductology
Bloodology
Phlebology
If you get a little weak in the knees at the sight of blood, you shouldn't consider a career in phlebology. This science of the veins helps us understand aging, vein related diseases and blood health.
Vessology

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Do you know which ology is full of experts on herbal medicine?
Herbology
Homeopathic remedies are becoming more and more popular as we start to learn what pharmaceutical companies are trying to put into our bodies. Herbologists are getting a big name for themselves by discovering natural cures for common ailments.
Dermatology
Archaeology
Gerontology

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Which ology helps the FBI find serial killers?
Neuropsychology
Nanotechnology
Criminology
If you've ever seen "Criminal Minds" you know that to be a criminologist, you have to know quite a bit about psychology, sociology and a ton of other ologies. Detectives study the way criminals work in order to gain a greater understanding on how to stop future crimes.
Ethnomusicology

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There is a study of the end of the world. Which ology is it?
Onomology
Eschatology
This branch of theology really focuses on human demise, how it will lead there and predictions made by some of the great "seers" of the past. Eschatology can also be a belief in the end of days and judgement day.
Soteriology
Ornithology

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Can you name the branch of zoology that focuses specifically on primates?
Monkology
Chimpology
Spidology
Primatology
While Jane Goodall is one of the most well-known primatologists in history, there are several others who are making strides in understanding how primates communicate, find mates and get their food.

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There is actually a study of the Chinese language. Do you know what it is?
Sinology
Sinology actually covers the study of the Chinese language as well as the literature, culture and civilization of China. This very specific ology helps people learn more about how the Chinese live day to day.
Chinology
Finology
Crinology

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What is the science of the spread of diseases in animals?
Pathophysiology
Laryngology
Aerobiology
Epizootiology
When you think about it, Epizootiology is one of the most important sciences in the world. By understanding how diseases occur and spread through the animal kingdom, we can understand how they are spread through humankind.

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This study is focused on aging and old age. What is it?
Gerontology
Gerontology doesn't just focus on the effects of the aging body, it also shows how society reacts to aging and what happens to our minds as we get old ... not necessarily Alzheimer's, but also how we feel when we see wrinkles on our skin.
Fallenology
Cantgetupology
Meronology

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Do you know what the study of climates is called?
Biology
Climatology
While meteorology is the study of weather, climatology is the study of climates. It is important to remember that climate and weather are two different things, and while it can be cold outside, the climate is still warming.
Herbology
Nichology

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Which study includes things like the Loch Ness monster?
Mythology
Archaeology
Cryptozoology
With all of the creatures that people believe they've seen in this world (especially the ones who only have evidence before the days of cell phones), there has to be a study on the creatures that have not been documented in a substantial way. That's where cryptozoology comes in.
Biology

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Can you name the ology that studies groundwater?
Volcanology
Crustology
Rivology
Geohydrology
Understanding the groundwater in our world helps us understand how the world works and how we can sustain clean water sources. Geohydrology is a geological science that helps us better understand how what we put into the Earth affects us later.

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What is the study of trees and woody plants called?
Treeology
Finology
Dendrology
A branch of botanical sciences (pun intended), dendrology is a specific science that focuses on research of trees and shrubs and their natural history. When we understand how these plants work, we learn more about sustainability as well as Earth's previous climates.
Barkology

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Believe it or not, there is a study of geological phenomena that specifically uses aerial images. Do you know what it's called?
Burnology
Satelitology
Photogeology
This is a study that couldn't have been done 150 years ago. As a matter of fact, it couldn't have been done before cameras actually had shutter speeds that could take pictures from airplanes. It's definitely a new science.
Upporology

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Which branch of zoology focuses on birds?
Dinology
Ornithology
If you love watching birds, you might not be a true ornithologist, but you might be on the right track. True ornithologists study bird species, classifications and behaviors to understand bird populations better.
Geology
Birdology

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Do you know what the study of aliens and extraterrestrial life is called?
Ufology
Flyology
Alienology
Exobiology
Yes, people study alien life, and it's an important science. While 20 years ago, we might have considered them crazy, with our current knowledge of space, it is clear that there has to be life out there somewhere.

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What ology did your beautician most likely study to get her position?
Hairology
Cutology
Cosmetology
Cosmetology is one of the only ologies that can be considered an art. You have to know what each cosmetic product is used for, what chemicals are in it and how it will affect your clients to actually succeed in this business.
Aestheology

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Can you name the study of how humans act?
Praxeology
While one might think that sociology is the study of human conduct, praxeology is a little more specific than that. Consider the study that realized that FOMO (fear of missing out) was a real thing that disturbed people and made them act a certain way.
Actology
Instaology
Facebookology

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This branch of zoology includes frogs and bearded dragons. What is it?
Miology
Reptiology
Ornithology
Herpteology
While reptiles and amphibians seem to be two different sciences, herpetology covers them all. There are other levels of ology under herpteology that focus on specific reptiles and amphibians, but this one covers everything.

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Do you know what the study of freezing temperatures on living things is?
Fryology
Miology
Cryobiology
Cryobiology is all about what happens when you put living organisms into freezing temperatures. Studies like this have showed us what to do when we are afflicted with frostbite and how to protect ourselves from the cold.
Freezology

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Which ology focuses on relationships in communities?
Commonology
Synecology
Synecology doesn't just focus on human communities, it also includes communities of animals and other organisms in the wild. The interrelationships that these organisms create will sometimes directly reflect how humans interact and relate.
Biology
Flipology

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Do you know what the study of speech sounds is?
Talkology
Fallology
Econymology
Phonology
"Phono" means sound, and phonology is the specific study of how the sounds we make creates language. It specifically refers to how sound is patterned and distributed when we speak.

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Which of these ologies has a specific focus on ancient organisms?
Psychology
Paleoecology
Paleoecology uses fossils and an understanding of ancient climates to figure out exactly how ancient organisms interacted with each other and their environments. It is another science that is necessary to learn about how we can adapt and interact with our environment.
Miology
Embryology

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