C1 ADVANCED · VOCABULARY · TOPIC VOCABULARY
The environment
Words like carbon footprint, sustainable, biodiversity and tackle climate change.
Finn says
C1 essays and discussions about the environment expect precise terms and verbs like tackle, curb and phase out. Learn the words in groups, with the words they go with, and try to use two or three of them next time you practise Speaking or Writing.
Key concepts
carbon footprint
the CO₂ your activities produce
Flying less reduces your carbon footprint.
sustainable
able to continue without damaging the environment
We need more sustainable farming.
biodiversity
the variety of living things
Deforestation threatens biodiversity.
fossil fuels
coal, oil and gas
We must stop burning fossil fuels.
emissions
gases released into the air
Car emissions have fallen.
a single-use plastic
plastic used once and thrown away
Single-use plastics are being banned.
Taking action
tackle / address a problem
try to solve it
Governments must tackle climate change.
curb
limit or control
New laws aim to curb pollution.
phase out
gradually stop using
Petrol cars will be phased out.
go green
become more environmentally friendly
Many companies are going green.
conservation
protecting nature
Wildlife conservation projects need funding.
irreversible
impossible to undo
Some damage may be irreversible.
Make it better
The same idea, first in basic English, then in the kind of language that gets a higher mark.
- Basic: We must stop the problem of climate change.Better: We must tackle climate change.The standard collocation.
- Basic: We should use less coal, oil and gas.Better: We should reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.Precise and formal.
- Basic: Stop using plastic slowly.Better: Phase out single-use plastics.A precise phrasal verb.
- Basic: The damage can't be fixed.Better: The damage may be irreversible.One advanced adjective.
Finn's exam tip
Learn verb + noun partnerships: tackle a problem, curb emissions, reduce your carbon footprint, raise awareness. Using the right verb is what separates C1 from B2.
Quick check
Choose the best answer.
🇪🇸 Guía en español: Phrasal verbs para el C1 Advanced: lista con ejemplos →
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