Question

what is the primary goal of scientific inquiry?
○ to prove a hypothesis
○ to disprove a hypothesis
○ to understand the natural world
○ to develop new technologies

what is the purpose of a control group in an experiment?
○ to test the effect of a variable
○ to provide a baseline for comparison
○ to increase the sample size
○ to reduce the sample size

Explanation:

First Question (Primary goal of scientific inquiry):

Scientific inquiry aims to explore and gain knowledge about the natural world. Proving or disproving a hypothesis is part of the process, not the primary goal. Developing new technologies is an application of scientific knowledge, not the main goal of inquiry. So the correct option is the one about understanding the natural world.

A control group in an experiment is used to have a group that is not exposed to the independent variable, so it provides a baseline to compare the results of the experimental group (exposed to the variable) against. Testing the effect of a variable is done by the experimental group, and control groups don't affect sample size (increasing or reducing).

Answer:

To understand the natural world

Second Question (Purpose of a control group in an experiment):