Unit 5 - The natural world

Word

Example

cautious

People who expect the worst are likely to be more cautious

optimistic

Most people are optimistic about their own strengths and abilities

positive

You have a really positive attitude

realistic

We are much more optimistic than realistic and frequently imagine things will turn out better than they actually do

successfully

They're all about half-way through the course and they've done it successfully so far

unrealistic

Optimism can be unrealistic and lead to us taking risks

carbon footprint

We're going to change our energy supply to solar energy to reduce our carbon footprint

climate change

Most scientists agree that irregular weather patterns are evidence of global warming and climate change

ecological impact

When the steam engine was invented, not many would have thought about the ecological impact of burning so much coal

environmentally friendly

Travelling by train is slower but it's far more environmentally-friendly than going by plane

fragile

If there is an oil spill from a ship, it will damage the fragile marine environment in this bay

global warming

Most scientists agree that irregular weather patterns are evidence of global warming and climate change

rough weather

Our boat trip was cancelled due to rough weather

solar energy

We're going to change our energy supply to solar energy to reduce our carbon footprint

the Earth's atmosphere

The factories on the outskirts of town burn their waste and release toxic gases into the Earth's atmosphere

advantage

An advantage of being tall is I can reach things

best thing

The best thing to do is call IT

disadvantage

My short legs put me at a disadvantage

drawback

One of the drawbacks of living with someone is having to share a bathroom

problem

I have a problem with my computer

sympathetic

My grandmother is a very sympathetic person – you can go to her if you're in trouble and she'll always listen and make you feel better

well-organised

My sister Vera is a very well-organised person

competitive

My sister is very competitive - she wants to be the best at everything

critical

Some of my family say I'm too critical and I only see the bad things in them

disorganised

My brother Nick is very disorganised – his desk is a mess and he can never find anything

irresponsible

I like my other cousin, Becky, but she can be quite irresponsible

reliable

We should try to find reliable charities and make an effort to help poorer countries

responsible

We need someone responsible for this job

thoughtful

My cousin is very thoughtful and always wants to help people

unreliable

Becky's terribly unreliable. If you arrange to meet her somewhere she'll probably be late or she won't even show up

unsympathetic

I hurt my leg but my friends were very unsympathetic

valley

Valleys are most commonly formed through the erosion of land by rivers or glaciers

recycle

Car parts were recycled into new steel

stream

There is always a steady stream of visitors

fur

Fur is a thick growth of hair that covers the skin of almost all mammals

destroy

The room had been destroyed by fire

protect

He tried to protect his family from the attack