what's the difference between 領域 、範囲 and 分野?


Could anyone explain to me the difference between these 3 words, especially
between 範囲 and 領域 ？ For example, I have these 練習問題:

a.分野 b.領域 c.範囲

  1. ① 試験の……… は、17課までです。 
  2. ② 外の大学との交流が進んで研究の……… が広がった。
  3. ③ この賞はスポーツの………で活躍した人に与えられる。

the right answers are : c. , a. , b.

Does 範囲 carry the meaning of "covering a certain(/established) range(/area)",
or something?

Then I have this sentence, where 範囲 and 領域 seem interchangeable:

彼の知識の範囲（・ 領域）はとても広い。(His range of knowledge is very wide.)

Thank you :)




範囲 establishes a beginning and end point and is used to show the **extent** or
**limit** to something. That's why it is most appropriate for the first one,
as it establishes the extent of the test (although 17課まで seems like a very
difficult test...).

領域 and 分野 are similar and can overlap. For example, 専門領域 and 専門分野 can both be
used. However, there is a difference between the two, 分野 is generally used for
**categorizing** things and is often used for activities done by humans. While
領域 is less of a categorization, but just establishes an **area** that is
covered. 領域 doesn't necessarily try to discern itself from other things.

However, the second question of your test is terrible, i.e. 研究の分野が広がった does
not make any sense to me.

