Unit 3 - Vocab (environmental issues and protection)

Question 1

acid rain

Answer 1

rain that contains harmful chemicals from factory gases and that damages trees, crops and buildings

Sample sentence
Because of acid rain, trees are killed and buildings are corroded. Even fish are killed because the ponds are too acidic.

Question 2

deforestation

Answer 2

the act of cutting down or burning the trees in an area

Sample sentence
Ending deforestation is one of the best solutions to prevent wildlife extinction.

Question 3

overpopulation

Answer 3

the situation in which a country or city has too many people living in it

Sample sentence
In order to solve the problem of overpopulation, some places implement birth control policy.

Question 4

soil contamination

Answer 4

the process of making soil dirty or no longer pure by adding harmful substances

Sample sentence
If nuclear wastes leak into the ground, it results in lethal soil contamination.

Question 5

air pollution

Answer 5

the process of making the air dirty with waste and harmful gases

Sample sentence
Air pollution is especially serious in places with too many cars on the roads.

Question 6

global warming

Answer 6

the increase in temperature of the air and gases near the surface of the Earth, as a result of an increase in greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide

Sample sentence
Because of global warming, ice is melting very quickly in the polar regions. This means some places in the world may soon be underwater.

Question 7

rising sea levels

Answer 7

an effect caused by an increase in the volume of water in the world’s oceans

Sample sentence
Some of the islands in the Pacific Ocean will disappear permanently due to rising sea levels.

Question 8

water pollution

Answer 8

the process of making water dirty with waste and harmful substances

Sample sentence
Water pollution is very serious in Hong Kong. A lot of sea creatures cannot live in our waters, and rubbish fills up many of our beaches.

Question 9

biodegradable

Answer 9

can be changed to a harmless natural state by the action of bacteria, and will therefore not damage the environment

Sample sentence
Plastic bags are not readily biodegradable. They can stay in the landfills for more than 500 years before they are broken down!

Question 10

compost

Answer 10

to make something into a mixture of decayed plants, food, etc. that can be added to soil to help plants grow

Sample sentence
Let’s compost our food waste and use them as fertilizers.

Question 11

conserve

Answer 11

to use as little of something as possible so that it lasts a long time

Sample sentence
Let’s conserve electricity. Turn off the lights before you leave the room.

Question 12

eco-friendly

Answer 12

not harmful to the environment

Sample sentence
In order to save the planet, I prefer using eco-friendly products such as rechargeable batteries and reusable water bottles.

Question 13

reclaim

Answer 13

to obtain materials from waste products so that they can be used again

Sample sentence
After drinking soft drinks, remember to wash the aluminium cans and throw them into recycling bins because 80% of aluminium could be reclaimed.

Question 14

renewable

Answer 14

(of energy and natural resources) that is replaced naturally or controlled carefully and can therefore be used without the risk of finishing it all

Sample sentence
Many countries are using renewable energy to replace fossil fuels to sustain a better living environment.

Question 15

sustainable

Answer 15

involving the use of natural products and energy in a way that does not harm the environment

Sample sentence
In order to promote an environmentally sustainable society, we should put more effort to conserve trees.

Question 16

carbon footprint

Answer 16

causing or resulting in no net release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere either because it has been reduced to nothing or is balanced by actions that protect the environment

Sample sentence
I wanted to live in a zero-carbon house that uses no energy from external sources.