IELTS Speaking Vocabulary. Environment

On this page we've gathered useful IELTS speaking vocabulary for the Environment topic. It can be used to answer various questions about the environment on IELTS Speaking test and will help you to achieve a high score.
See IELTS Speaking sample about Environment >

Vocabulary:

  • air quality: the cleanliness of the air we breathe. Due to the opening of a new factory nearby, the air quality here went down.
  • bio-diversity: a diversity in nature, among plants and animals. Nowadays, we suffer the loss of bio-diversity.
  • endangered species: a category of animals or plans that might become extinct. White rhinos are endangered species. There are only 5 white rhinos left in the world.
  • environmentally friendly: products that do not harm the environment. I try to use only environmentally friendly goods in order to preserve the nature.
  • exhaust fumes: gases, ejected from an engine as waste products. I bought an electric car to avoid producing exhaust fumes when I drive.
  • fossil fuels: energy resources like gas and oil. Gas is one of the most well-known fossil fuels.
  • global warming: an increase in temperature all-over the world, as a result of greenhouse effect.Global worming is a very serious problem that our society is dealing with.
  • greenhouse effect: heating of the atmosphere due to the carbon dioxide and other gases. Greenhouse effect causes global warming.
  • melting of glaciers: the process of icebergs' melting. Melting of glaciers increases the sea-level.
  • natural disaster: an event like an earthquake, hurricane etc. I experienced a natural disaster in the form of an earthquake last year.
  • paper recycling: the processes of reprocessing waste paper for reuse. It was found that paper recycling causes 35% less water pollution and 74% less air pollution than making virgin paper.
  • poacher: one who kills or takes wild animals illegally. Poaching is considered a violation of hunting rules and impedes wildlife conservation.
  • toxic waste: poisonous rubbish, produced by industrial processes. Many factories in my city dump toxic waste into rivers and lakes.

Useful phrases:

  • to become extinct: to stop existing. Dinosaurs became extinct may centuries ago.
  • to be under threat: to be in danger of becoming extinct. White Rhinos are under the threat of becoming extinct.
  • to dry up: to have all the water drained away. The small river in my hometown dried up this summer due to the enormous heat.
  • to get back to nature: live a life that is closer to nature. My friend decided to leave his boring job and move to the countryside to get back to nature.
  • to litter: to throw rubbish in inappropriate places. I always try to find a garbage bin to throw my trash in. I don't like to litter.