Vocabulary for IELTS Academic (Band 8-9) - Landscape and Geography

Here, you will learn some English words related to Landscape and Geography that are necessary for the Academic IELTS exam.

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Vocabulary for IELTS Academic (Band 8-9)
strait [noun]

a narrow passage of water connecting two larger bodies of water, often linking two seas or an inlet with a larger expanse of water

Ex:
glacier [noun]

a large mass of ice that forms over long periods of time, especially in polar regions or high mountains

Ex: Mountaineers face numerous challenges when attempting to traverse icy crevasses on glaciers .
savannah [noun]

an expansive flat land covered in grass, scattered with trees, and found in tropical or subtropical areas

Ex: The Australian tropical savannah features eucalyptus trees and is inhabited by kangaroos and wallabies .
meridian [noun]

one of the imaginary lines between the North Pole and the South Pole, drawn on maps to help pinpoint a location

Ex: Cartographers meticulously charted meridians on maps to accurately depict the Earth 's surface and aid in geographic understanding .

the arrangement and physical features of a surface, including its natural and man-made elements

Ex: Urban planners studied the city 's topography before expanding the rail system .

a branch of science and art that consists of creating maps

Ex: The museum features an exhibit on cartography .
atoll [noun]

a circular coral reef with a lagoon in the middle

Ex: The atolls of Kiribati in the central Pacific are vulnerable to rising sea levels due to climate change .
creek [noun]

a narrow, shallow watercourse, often flowing through a confined natural channel

Ex: A quaint wooden bridge spanned the creek , allowing hikers to cross to the other side .

a watercourse that flows into a larger river or body of water

Ex: Fed by tributaries like the Hudson , Mohawk , and Delaware Rivers , the Atlantic Ocean receives freshwater runoff from the eastern United States .
marsh [noun]

an area of soft, wet, low-lying land, typically characterized by grasses and other non-woody plants, and often found at the edges of lakes, rivers, or coastal areas

Ex: Local conservation efforts aimed to protect the marsh , preserving its biodiversity and natural beauty .

a steep, high slope or cliff formed by erosion

Ex: Hiking trails along the escarpment offered adventurous routes with breathtaking vistas .
butte [noun]

a hill with steep, flat sides and a flat top, often found in desert areas

Ex: The Arizona desert is dotted with rugged buttes , adding to the region 's unique and picturesque scenery .
cataract [noun]

a large waterfall where water rushes forcefully over a height

Ex: The series of linked cataracts blocked further upstream travel along this stretch of river .
crater [noun]

the round top of a volcano

Ex: The impact crater in Arizona is a famous geological site attracting visitors worldwide .
estuary [noun]

the part of a river that is wide and where it meets the sea

Ex:
fjord [noun]

a steep, deep, and narrow sea inlet surrounded by tall cliffs, created by a glacier

Ex: Milford Sound in New Zealand , a well-known fjord , captivates visitors with its majestic waterfalls and steep rock faces .
geyser [noun]

a natural hot spring that periodically erupts with a column of boiling water and steam due to underground volcanic activity

Ex: Strokkur , also in Iceland , is a reliable geyser with frequent eruptions , captivating visitors with its geothermal activity .
isthmus [noun]

a narrow piece of land with water on each side that connects two larger areas

Ex:
lagoon [noun]

a shallow body of water separated from a larger body of water, often by a barrier island, coral reef, or sandbar

Ex: Laguna Colorada in Bolivia is a high-altitude lagoon known for its reddish color , caused by pigmented algae and minerals .

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

Ex: The mountain trail ended abruptly at a dangerous precipice .
ravine [noun]

a deep narrow valley with steep sides, usually worn by a stream

Ex: The hikers descended cautiously into the ravine , navigating the rocky terrain and overhanging vegetation .
altitude [noun]

the distance between an object or point and sea level

Ex: Climbers experienced difficulties adjusting to the high altitude during their ascent .
knoll [noun]

a small, rounded hill or mound, often found in a grassy or wooded area

Ex: A solitary tree stood on the knoll , providing shade and a peaceful spot for contemplation .
terrain [noun]

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

Ex: Urban planners took into account the natural terrain features when designing the city 's infrastructure , incorporating green spaces and waterways into their plans .
boulder [noun]

a large rock, usually one that has been shaped by natural forces such as water or ice

Ex: Children scrambled over the boulder , pretending it was a castle wall in their imaginary kingdom .
shingle [noun]

a beach or shoreline covered with small, smooth, rounded stones or pebbles, typically found along coasts or riverbanks

Ex: Coastal erosion exposed layers of sediment , forming a shingle bank along the riverbank .
cape [noun]

a large, pointed piece of land that extends into a sea, ocean, or other large body of water

Ex: Coastal erosion has shaped the cape over centuries , creating a distinctive silhouette against the horizon .