10 words
- deforestationnoun/dee-for-ih-STAY-shun/
the clearing of large areas of forest
Large-scale deforestation in the Amazon has reduced rainfall in the region.
Collocation: large-scale deforestation · Similar: forest clearance, logging
- biodiversitynoun/by-oh-dy-VER-sih-tee/
the variety of plant and animal life in an area
Coral reefs support an astonishing level of biodiversity.
Collocation: loss of biodiversity · Similar: biological diversity, variety of species
- sustainableadjective/suh-STAY-nuh-bul/
able to continue for a long time without harming nature
Many farmers are switching to more sustainable methods of growing food.
Collocation: sustainable development · Similar: eco-friendly, environmentally sound
- emissionsnoun/ih-MISH-unz/
gases released into the air, especially from vehicles or factories
The new law aims to cut carbon emissions by half.
Collocation: reduce emissions · Similar: discharges, pollutants
- renewableadjective/rih-NYOO-uh-bul/
naturally replaced, so it will never run out
Unlike coal, sunlight is renewable and will always be available.
Collocation: renewable energy · Similar: inexhaustible, replenishable
- conservationnoun/kon-suh-VAY-shun/
the protection of nature and wildlife from damage
Wildlife conservation projects depend heavily on donations from the public.
Collocation: wildlife conservation · Similar: preservation, protection
- depletionnoun/dih-PLEE-shun/
a reduction in the amount of something until little remains
The depletion of fish stocks threatens many coastal communities.
Collocation: ozone depletion · Similar: exhaustion, reduction
- mitigateverb/MIT-ih-gayt/
to make something harmful less severe
Planting trees in cities can mitigate the effects of heatwaves.
Collocation: mitigate the impact · Similar: lessen, alleviate, reduce
- irreversibleadjective/ir-ih-VER-suh-bul/
impossible to change back to how it was before
Scientists warn that some damage to the oceans may be irreversible.
Collocation: irreversible damage · Similar: permanent, irreparable
- contaminateverb/kun-TAM-ih-nayt/
to make water, soil or food dirty or poisonous
Chemicals from the factory began to contaminate the local river.
Collocation: contaminate water supplies · Similar: pollute, poison
Grammar check
Choose the right option, then open the answer.
1. If the factory had followed the rules, the river ___ polluted last year.
wouldn't be · won't be · wouldn't have been · hadn't been
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wouldn't have been: Third conditional: an unreal past situation ('last year'), so use 'would not have been'.
2. The Arctic ___ to be warming faster than any other region.
says · is saying · has said · is said
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is said: Passive reporting structure: subject + 'is said' + to-infinitive, used for widely held claims.
3. I wish people ___ so much plastic packaging these days.
didn't use · don't use · won't use · hadn't used
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didn't use: 'Wish' about a present situation takes the past simple: 'didn't use'.
4. Not only ___ cycling keep the air cleaner, but it also reduces noise.
is · does · do · has
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does: After 'Not only' at the start, we invert. 'Cycling' is singular and the verb is 'keep', so use 'does'.
5. ___ by heavy rain, the soil washed into the river.
Loosened · Loosening · Having loosened · To loosen
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Loosened: Past participle clause with passive meaning: the soil was loosened by the rain.
Use the words: speaking questions
- Should individuals or governments take more responsibility for protecting the environment?
- Why do you think some people are reluctant to change their habits to help the planet?
- How might the way people travel change over the next few decades?
Answer them out loud with Dodo in the app for a band and better versions of your answers.