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Essential Vocabulary for the GRE - A Drop in the Ocean

Here you will learn some English words about geography, such as "brook", "glacial", "flora", etc. that are needed for the GRE exam.

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Essential Words Needed for the GRE
archipelago

a large collection of islands or the sea surrounding them

Ex: The Philippines is an archipelago with over 7,000 islands. 
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swamp
swamp
[noun]

an area of land that is covered with water or is always very wet

Ex: The swamp was teeming with diverse wildlife, from alligators to herons and turtles. 
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reservoir
reservoir
[noun]

a lake, either natural or artificial, from which water is supplied to houses

Ex: The city's reservoir, nestled in the hills, stores water from nearby rivers and supplies it to thousands of homes. 
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precipice
precipice
[noun]

a steep cliff or edge of a rock face, often with a significant drop

Ex: They stood on the edge of the precipice, looking down at the valley below. 
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peninsula
peninsula
[noun]

a large body of land that is partially surrounded by water but is attached to a larger area of land

Ex: The Iberian Peninsula is home to Spain and Portugal, surrounded by water on three sides. 
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pinnacle
pinnacle
[noun]

the highest point or summit of a mountain

Ex: Reaching the pinnacle of the mountain was a remarkable achievement. 
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brook
brook
[noun]

a small, natural watercourse or stream; typically characterized by a gentle and continuous flow

Ex: They enjoyed a peaceful walk along the brook. 
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deposit
deposit
[noun]

a layer of matter that has been accumulated, particularly by a body of water

Ex: The geologist discovered a rich deposit of gold in the mountains. 
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equatorial
equatorial
[Adjective]

relating to or located at or near the geographic equator, the imaginary line dividing the Earth into the Northern and Southern Hemispheres

Ex: The equatorial climate is known for its high humidity and year-round warmth. 
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glacial
glacial
[Adjective]

relating to a large mass of compressed ice like those near the poles or on mountains

Ex: They studied the glacial formations in the Arctic region. 
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moorland
moorland
[noun]

an open and high land covered with grass, bushes and heather

Ex: The hikers explored the vast moorland, enjoying the open views. 
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terrain
terrain
[noun]

an area of land, particularly in reference to its physical or natural features

Ex: The rugged terrain of the mountainous region posed a significant challenge for the hikers, requiring careful navigation and endurance. 
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wharf
wharf
[noun]

a structure built along the water's edge; often with a platform for ships to load and unload goods

Ex: We walked along the wharf to admire the view of the harbor. 
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vale
vale
[noun]

a low-lying piece of land between hills or mountains, often with a river flowing through it

Ex: The village is nestled in a quiet vale surrounded by hills. 
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arid
arid
[Adjective]

(of land or a climate) very dry because of not having enough or any rain

Ex: The Sahara Desert is known for its arid climate, with vast expanses of sand and very little vegetation. 
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cascade
cascade
[noun]

a small steep waterfall, usually one of several others

Ex: The hikers stopped to admire the beautiful cascade in the forest. 
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levee
levee
[noun]

a natural or man-made structure built along a river or waterway to prevent flooding by confining the water within its boundaries

Ex: The town repaired the levee after the recent storm. 
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canopy
canopy
[noun]

the upper layer of trees in a forest that creates a dense cover with interlocking leaves; offering shade and shelter in the ecosystem

Ex: The canopy provided cool shade during our hike through the forest. 
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flora
flora
[noun]

communities of plant life native to a specific area or period

Ex: The national park is known for its diverse flora. 
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foliage
foliage
[noun]

a plant or tree's branches and leaves collectively

Ex: The dense foliage provided a cool shade on a hot day. 
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fungus
fungus
[noun]

a plant-like organism that often grows on organic matter and has no flowers or leaves, such as moulds and mushrooms

Ex: They discovered a new species of fungus in the rainforest that glows in the dark. 
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perennial
perennial
[Adjective]

(of plants) lasting for several years, often returning and flowering repeatedly during its life cycle

Ex: The gardener chose perennial flowers to ensure vibrant blooms each spring. 
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to pollinate

to deposit pollen on a plant or flower so that it can produce new seeds or fruit

Ex: Bees pollinate flowers as they collect nectar, aiding in the reproduction of plants. 
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sapling
sapling
[noun]

a small and young tree

Ex: The forest was filled with many new saplings. 
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shoot
shoot
[noun]

a new growth on a tree or plant or the part of a plant that starts to appear above the ground because it is growing

Ex: In spring, the apple tree was adorned with delicate green shoots that promised a bountiful harvest in the coming months. 
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to sprout
to sprout
[Verb]

(of a seed or plant) to begin growing

Ex: She plants seeds in the garden and watches them sprout after a few days. 
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biodegradable
biodegradable
[Adjective]

(of an object) able to be broken down by living organisms such as bacteria, which is then safe for the environment

Ex: Biodegradable food waste can be composted and turned into nutrient-rich soil. 
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to contaminate

to make a place, substance, etc. dirty or harmful by adding dangerous material

Ex: The factory's discharge pipes contaminated the river with toxic chemicals. 
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ecological
ecological
[Adjective]

related to the connection between animals, plants, and humans and their environment

Ex: Ecological conservation efforts aim to protect biodiversity and preserve natural habitats. 
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effluent
effluent
[noun]

liquid waste or sewage discharged into rivers, lakes, or the sea

Ex: The factory was fined for discharging untreated effluent directly into the river, harming aquatic life and polluting the water. 
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zero-emission
zero-emission
[Adjective]

(of a vehicle) not producing gases harmful to the environment

Ex: Electric vehicles are considered zero-emission because they do not produce tailpipe emissions. 
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low-impact
low-impact
[Adjective]

in relation to activities that minimize disruption to ecosystems; emphasizing sustainability and reduced ecological footprint

Ex: She prefers low-impact exercises like yoga to avoid joint stress. 
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flurry
flurry
[noun]

a small amount of rain, snow, etc. that moves in a quick and stormy way and lasts only for a short period of time

Ex: A sudden flurry of snow covered the ground in minutes. 
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gale
gale
[noun]

a very powerful wind

Ex: The fishing boats stayed in port as a strong gale blew across the coast, making the sea too dangerous. 
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horizon
horizon
[noun]

the line where the sky and earth seem to come in contact with each other

Ex: The sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow across the sky. 
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monsoon
monsoon
[noun]

a period in the summer during which wind blows and rain falls in India or other hot South Asian countries

Ex: Farmers eagerly anticipate the monsoon season as it brings much-needed rainfall to replenish parched fields and ensure a successful harvest. 
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thaw
thaw
[noun]

a period during which the weather becomes warmer causing snow and ice to melt

Ex: The thaw came early this year, melting the snow quickly. 
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arable
arable
[Adjective]

having the capacity to be used to grow crops

Ex: The farm has large arable fields perfect for wheat. 
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cultivation

the practice of preparing and using land for growing crops, especially on a large scale

Ex: The farmer practiced cultivation of wheat on his vast fields. 
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