Nature and Environment
atmosphere noun
the layer of gases that surrounds the earth
an atmosphere (bxa723)
Dangerous gases have escaped into the atmosphere.
bee noun
a yellow and black flying insect that makes honey
a bee (bxa724)
We saw a bee buzzing near the window this morning.
border noun
the line that separates two areas of land
a border (bxa725)
The border between the fields was marked with trees.
branch noun
a part of a tree that grows out from the main trunk
a branch (bxa726)
The branch broke under the weight of the snow.
chemical adjective
relating to or made from chemicals
chemical (bxa727)
Chemical pollution can destroy river ecosystems.
chemicals noun
substances used in or made by chemistry; plural of chemical
chemicals (bxa728)
Which chemicals are most dangerous to wildlife and plant life?
coal noun
a hard, black substance dug from the ground and burned for energy
a coal (bxa729)
Coal is still used to produce electricity in some countries.
countryside noun
the land outside cities and towns, with fields and farms
a countryside (bxa730)
Her grandparents live in the quiet countryside.
dust noun
very small, dry pieces of dirt or sand in the air or on surfaces
a dust (bxa731)
The wind blew dust into my eyes and hair.
earthquake noun
a sudden, violent shaking of the ground
an earthquake (bxa732)
Earthquakes can cause landslides in mountain areas.
eastern adjective
in or from the east part of a place
eastern (bxa733)
We travelled to the eastern side of the island.
environment noun
the natural world around us, including air, water, and land
an environment (bxa734)
We should all try to protect the environment from pollution.
environmental adjective
relating to the natural world and how we affect it
environmental (bxa735)
What are the main environmental issues today?
flood noun
a large amount of water that covers land that is usually dry
a flood (bxa736)
The flood left mud and rubbish everywhere.
flood verb
to cover a place with water, or to fill with too much water
to flood (bxa737)
The river could flood the village again this year.
flow verb
to move smoothly and continuously in one direction
to flow (bxa738)
The lava continued to flow down the mountain.
global adjective
affecting or involving the whole world
global (bxa739)
Global warming affects all parts of the world.
hurricane noun
a very strong and dangerous storm with powerful winds
a hurricane (bxa740)
A hurricane hit the southern coast last night.
leaf noun
the flat, green part of a tree or plant
a leaves (bxa741)
Spring arrived and the first green leaves began to appear.
mine noun
a deep hole in the ground where people dig for coal, gold, or other materials
a mine (bxa742)
Is that old gold mine still in use?
mud noun
soft, wet earth
a mud (bxa743)
The field was full of mud after the rain.
native adjective
originally living or growing in a particular place
native (bxa744)
Are those birds native to this region?
northern adjective
in or from the north part of a place
northern (bxa745)
Do northern regions get more snow?
peaceful adjective
calm, quiet, and free from worry or disturbance
peaceful (bxa746)
I enjoy peaceful walks by the lake.
sand noun
very small pieces of rock found on beaches and in deserts
a sand (bxa747)
Do you like walking barefoot on the sand?
seed noun
a very small thing from which a new plant grows
a seed (bxa748)
Seeds grow faster in warm, sunny weather.
shine verb
to produce bright light
to shine (bxa749)
Stars shine brightly on clear winter nights.
soil noun
the top layer of earth in which plants grow
a soil (bxa750)
Good soil helps vegetables grow well.
southern adjective
in or from the south part of a place
southern (bxa751)
She owns a guest house in the southern city of Seville.
surface noun
the top or outside part of something
a surface (bxa752)
The lake surface was completely still this morning.
tail noun
the long part at the back of an animal’s body
a tail (bxa753)
That fish has a long, silver tail.
water verb
to pour water on plants to help them grow
to water (bxa754)
Don’t forget to water the garden this evening.
western adjective
in or from the west part of a place
western (bxa755)
We explored the western side of the mountain range.
wing noun
one of the two parts of a bird’s or insect’s body used for flying
a wing (bxa756)
Can you see that eagle spreading its wings?