13/3/2012

New word to learn

1. Back and forth (phrasal verb)
= going in one direction and then in the opposite direction, and repeating this several times
e.g. He was pacing back and forth

2. Needless (adj)
= something that is unnecessary because they could easily have been avoided
e.g. What is the best way to make sure your lights aren’t needlessly wasting energy?

3. Nought (number) (Brit)
= zero
e.g.: nought point one = 0.1

4. Appliance (n)
= electrical equipment
e.g. There’s plenty of space for all the usual kitchen appliances.

5. Counter (v)
= to reduce bad effect from something
e.g. 1) Exercise helps to counter the effects of stress.
2) Trees can absorb carbon dioxide and so they help to counter the fumes produced by our cars.

6. Offset (v)
= 2 things have an opposite effect, so situation remains the same
e.g. Turning off light even for a few minutes can offset the negative effects of turning them on again later.

7. Pose a threat/danger/risk/ an hazard (v)
= cause a problem
e.g. Not only do fossil fuels pose an environmental hazard but there is also a pressing need to find an alternative energy source that is renewable.

8. Abandon (v)
= to stop doing something because there are too many problems and it is impossible to continue
e.g. it is unlikely we will abandon our cars in large enough numbers to resolve this problem, so there is an pressing need to find an alternative/ eco-friendly fuel.

9. Commonplace (adj)
= happening/ existing in many places, and therefore not special and unusual
e.g. 1. Car thefts are commonplace in this part of town.
2. Hybrid cars were first developed in 1997 and these are likely to become more commonplace in the future.

10. Date back to something = date from something
= to have existed since a particular time in the past
e.g. 1. The church dates from the 13^th century
2. The concept of using vegetable oil as a fuel dates back to 1895 when……

11. Drastic (action/ changes/ measures/ cuts)
= extreme and sudden
e.g. Drastic changes are needed if environmental catastrophe is to be avoided.

12. Emit = discharge = release
OPP = retain (to keep/store)

13. Renewable = rechargeable (can be made again)
OPP = disposable (throw it away)

14. Diminish = dwindle = deplete (decrease)

15. Consume =exhaust = expend (use/use up/ spend) =/= extend (cause sth to last longer)

16. Conserve = preserve = save, used with “energy”
reserve = book a table/sear, not used with “energy”

Words I need to use more

1. Critical = crucial = vital
e.g. CO2 plays a critical role in maintaining the balance in the Earth’s atmosphere and the air that we breathe.

2. Pressing need/problem/matter = urgent
e.g. Not only do fossil fuels pose an environmental hazard but there is also a pressing need to find an alternative energy source that is renewable.

3. Devastating (effect/ impact) or (results/consequences)
= badly damaging or destroying something
e.g. Our love of the fuel-burning car with its poisonous exhaust fumes had had a devastating effect both on our environment and on oil supplies.

4. Readily (available/accessible)
= quickly and easily
e.g. Hydrogen vehicles that use solar panels to extract hydrogen from water are also likely to be readily available.

5. Costly (adj)
= very expensive, especially wasting a lot of money
e.g. Such a database would be extremely costly to set up.

6. In terms of (something)
= describe sth only in relation to that fact/ event
e.g. It’s a mistake to think of Florida only in terms of its tourist attractions.

Words I often make mistakes with

1. Nevertheless
= in spite of the fact that you have just mentioned
e.g. Nevertheless, countries such as….. already have ambitious hydrogen plans.

2. Ambitious
= have a strong desire to do something good but difficult
e.g. Nevertheless, countries such as….. already have ambitious hydrogen plans

Topic words (e.g. The Environment; Fuel; Energy; Work, etc)

The energy crisis (natural resources, alternative fuels) (Unit 16_Vocabulary for IELTS)

1. Save/ conserve energy
If we want to save/conserve energy, then we need to change the way we behave.

2. Energy efficient
We need to buy appliances that are energy efficient and limit the amount of time we use them

3. Greenhouse gases, atmosphere
To reduce the effect/impact greenhouse gases have on our atmosphere, we should plant more trees.

4. Exhaust fumes
= strong-smelling gases that is unpleasant to breathe in
Our love of the fuel-burning car with its poisonous exhaust fumes had had a devastating effect both on our environment and on oil supplies.

5. Eco-friendly/ alternative
Many car companies are exploring eco-friendly/ alternative energy sources.

6. Extract sth from sth
= to carefully remove a substance from sth which contains it, using a machine, chemical process, etc
e.g. Hydrogen vehicles that use solar panels to extract hydrogen from water are also likely to be readily available.

7. Fossil fuels = coal and oil

8. Diesel = a type of heavy oil used instead of petrol in engines, esp in trucks, buses
e.g. Dr Samuel developed the first diesel engine to run on vegetable oil.

9. Alternative and renewable energy = nuclear energy, solar energy and wind power

Good sentences

1. You want to really make a significant contribution to the reduction of CO2 emissions.

2. Not only do fossil fuels pose an environmental hazard but there is also a pressing need to find an alternative energy source that is renewable.

3. However, critics say that building a network of fuelling stations and converting existing petrol stations to hydrogen will prove too costly.

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