b1Vocabulary Pack

Environment & Nature

Nature, climate, pollution and looking after the planet.

64 words

English vocabulary

Definitions in

Add to my library

64 words

Definitions in: English

Same-language deck – the back side will show definitions, and example sentences will hide the target word.

1
mountainnounneutral
A very high, steep area of land, much higher than the surrounding ground.
We climbed the mountain and the view from the top was incredible.
2
hillnounneutral
A raised area of land, smaller and lower than a mountain.
Our house is on top of a small hill outside the village.
3
valleynounneutral
A low area of land between hills or mountains, often with a river running through it.
From up here you can see the whole valley below.
4
rivernounneutral
large flowing body of water
A large natural stream of water flowing towards the sea, a lake, or another river.
We went swimming in the river on a hot summer day.
5
lakenounneutral
A large area of water surrounded by land.
We rented a boat and spent the afternoon on the lake.
6
oceannounneutral
One of the very large areas of salt water that cover most of the Earth.
It was her dream to sail across the ocean.
7
seanounneutral
The salt water that covers much of the Earth's surface, especially as seen from a coast.
We spent the whole holiday by the sea.
8
beachnounneutral
An area of sand or small stones next to the sea or a lake.
Let's go to the beach and build a sandcastle.
9
coastnounneutral
The land along the edge of the sea.
They bought a little house on the coast.
10
forestnounneutral
A large area thickly covered with trees.
We got lost in the forest for a couple of hours.
11
junglenounneutral
A tropical forest where plants and trees grow very thickly.
The documentary was filmed deep in the Amazon jungle.
12
desertnounneutral
A large, dry area of land, often covered with sand, where few plants grow.
Crossing the desert without water would be dangerous.
13
islandnounneutral
A piece of land completely surrounded by water.
They spent their honeymoon on a tiny tropical island.
14
cliffnounneutral
A high, steep area of rock, often at the edge of the sea.
Be careful, the path runs right along the edge of the cliff.
15
cavenounneutral
A large natural hole in the side of a hill or under the ground.
We explored a dark cave full of bats.
16
waterfallnounneutral
Water that falls from a high place, usually over rocks, to a lower place.
We hiked for hours to reach the waterfall.
17
fieldnounneutral
An area of open land, especially one used for growing crops or keeping animals.
The farmer was working in the field all morning.
18
rocknounneutral
The hard solid substance that forms part of the Earth's surface, or a large piece of it.
We sat on a big rock to eat our sandwiches.
19
streamnounneutral
A small narrow river.
A clear stream runs through the bottom of our garden.
20
soilnounneutral
The top layer of earth in which plants grow.
These vegetables grow well in rich, dark soil.
21
sandnounneutral
A powder of very small grains of rock, found on beaches and in deserts.
I got sand in my shoes at the beach.
22
treenounneutral
A tall plant with a trunk, branches, and leaves, that lives for many years.
We planted a tree in the garden when my daughter was born.
23
flowernounneutral
The coloured part of a plant from which seeds or fruit develop.
He bought her a bunch of flowers for her birthday.
24
grassnounneutral
The common green plant with thin leaves that covers fields and gardens.
Please don't walk on the grass.
25
plantnounneutral
A living thing that grows in the ground and usually has leaves, roots, and a stem.
Don't forget to water the plants while I'm away.
26
leafnounneutral
One of the flat green parts of a plant that grow from a stem or branch.
In autumn every leaf on the tree turns red and gold.
27
branchnounneutral
One of the parts of a tree that grows out from the trunk and has leaves on it.
A bird was sitting on the highest branch.
28
rootnounneutral
The part of a plant that grows under the ground and takes in water and food.
The tree's roots were lifting up the pavement.
29
bushnounneutral
A plant smaller than a tree, with many branches growing close to the ground.
The ball rolled into the bushes and we couldn't find it.
30
woodsnounneutral
A small forest; an area covered with trees, usually used in the plural.
We took the dog for a walk in the woods.
31
seednounneutral
A small hard part of a plant from which a new plant grows.
We planted some tomato seeds in spring.
32
naturenounneutral
All the plants, animals, and other things in the world that are not made by people.
After a busy week, I love spending time in nature.
33
environmentnounneutral
The natural world, including the air, water, and land, especially as affected by human activity.
We should all do more to protect the environment.
34
landscapenounneutral
Everything you can see when you look across a large area of land.
The train passed through a beautiful mountain landscape.
35
pollutionnounneutral
Damage caused to water, air, or land by harmful substances or waste.
Air pollution in big cities is getting worse.
36
polluteverbneutral
To make air, water, or land dirty and dangerous with harmful substances.
These chemicals pollute the rivers and kill the fish.
37
recyclingnounneutral
The process of treating used materials so they can be used again.
Glass and paper go in the recycling.
38
recycleverbneutral
To treat used objects or materials so that they can be used again.
We recycle all our plastic bottles and cans.
39
climatenounneutral
The general weather conditions in a particular place over a long period.
Spain has a much warmer climate than Norway.
40
climate changenounneutral
Changes in the world's weather patterns, especially the rise in temperature caused by human activity.
Many young people are worried about climate change.
41
conservationnounneutral
The protection of nature, including plants, animals, and natural areas.
She works for a wildlife conservation group.
42
protectverbneutral
To keep someone or something safe from harm or damage.
We need to protect these forests for future generations.
43
wastenounneutral
Unwanted materials or substances that are left after you have used something.
The factory dumps its waste into the river.
44
rubbishnounneutralBritish English
Things you throw away because you no longer want them (British English).
Please put your rubbish in the bin, not on the ground.
45
litternounneutral
Waste paper, cans, and other rubbish left lying around in public places.
There was litter all over the park after the concert.
46
energynounneutral
Power from electricity, gas, or other sources, used to make machines work and provide heat and light.
Solar panels turn sunlight into clean energy.
47
global warmingnounneutral
The gradual increase in the temperature of the Earth's atmosphere.
Global warming is causing the ice at the poles to melt.
48
naturaladjectiveneutral
Existing in or made by nature, not made or caused by people.
This juice contains only natural ingredients.
49
wildadjectiveneutral
Living or growing in nature, not kept or controlled by people.
These wild flowers grow all over the hillside.
50
organicadjectiveneutral
Produced or grown without using artificial chemicals.
We try to buy organic vegetables when we can.
51
greenadjectiveneutral
Connected with protecting the environment, or covered with grass and plants.
The company is trying to be more green by using less plastic.
52
wildlifenounneutral
Animals, birds, and plants living in their natural environment.
The forest is home to all kinds of wildlife.
53
national parknounneutral
A large area of natural land protected by the government for people to enjoy.
We went hiking in a national park last weekend.
54
countrysidenounneutral
Land outside towns and cities, with fields, woods, and farms.
We moved to the countryside for a quieter life.
55
viewnounneutral
The things you can see from a particular place, especially beautiful natural scenery.
From the top of the hill there's an amazing view of the sea.
56
saveverbneutral
To use less of something such as energy or water so that none is wasted.
Turning off the tap while brushing your teeth saves water.
57
fuelnounneutral
A substance such as coal, gas, or oil that is burned to produce heat or power.
Burning fuel like coal and oil harms the environment.
58
renewableadjectiveneutral
Describing energy from natural sources such as wind and sun that will not run out.
Wind and solar power are forms of renewable energy.
59
damageverbneutral
To harm something physically so that it is broken or in worse condition.
Plastic waste can seriously damage the oceans.
60
pureadjectiveneutral
Clean and not mixed with anything harmful; used about air, water, or natural things.
The water from the spring is completely pure.
61
freshadjectiveneutral
Clean, cool, and pleasant (used especially about air); or not containing salt (used about water).
Let's open the window and let in some fresh air.
62
growverbneutral
To develop and become bigger (of plants and other living things); or to cultivate plants and crops.
These flowers grow best in full sunlight.
63
garbagenounneutralAmerican English
American English word for waste or unwanted material that is thrown away.
Please take the garbage out to the bin.
Please take the rubbish out to the bin.
64
trashnounneutralAmerican English
American English word for waste or rubbish that is thrown away.
Don't throw trash on the ground; use the bin.
Don't throw rubbish on the ground; use the bin.

Learn anywhere, even offline

Download decks to your phone and practice without internet. Perfect for commutes, flights, or anywhere with spotty connection.

App Store Google Play

The environment is one of the defining topics of our time, and this pack gives you the vocabulary to engage with it. Learn the words for landscapes, plants and natural features, along with the language of climate, conservation and sustainability. Growing from intermediate to advanced, it prepares you to describe the natural world and take part in serious conversations about protecting it.