General IELTS Words for "Pollution"

smog

noun

s

m

o

ɑ

g

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a combination of smoke and fog that is considered a form of air pollution

Example

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The city's smog was so thick that it reduced visibility, making it difficult for drivers to see the road ahead.

During the winter months, smog often blankets urban areas due to increased heating and traffic emissions.

contaminant

noun

c

k

o

ə

n

t

a

æ

m

i

ə

n

a

ə

n

t

a substance or agent that makes something impure or harmful by contact or mixture

toxin

noun

t

o

ɒ

x

ks

i

ɪ

n

a poisonous substance, especially one produced by living organisms, that can cause harm or illness when introduced into a living organism

filth

noun

f

i

ɪ

l

th

θ

any substance that is dirty, disgusting, or unpleasant

greenhouse gas

noun

/ˈɡriːnˌhaʊs ɡæs/

any type of gas, particularly carbon dioxide, that contributes to global warming by trapping heat

Grammatical Information:

compound noun

methane

noun

m

e

ɛ

th

θ

a

eɪ

n

e

a colorless, odorless, flammable which is the main component of natural gasgas

litter

noun

l

i

ɪ

tt

t

e

ɜ

r

waste such as bottles, papers, etc. that people throw on a sidewalk, park, or other public place

sulfur dioxide

noun

/sˈʌlfɜː daɪˈɑːksaɪd/

a colorless gas emitted from burning sulfur-containing fuels, industrial activities, and volcanic eruptions

Grammatical Information:

compound noun

contamination

noun

c

k

o

ə

n

t

a

æ

m

i

ə

n

a

eɪ

t

ʃ

io

ə

n

the act or process of making a substance or place dirty or polluted, especially by dangerous substances

decontamination

dioxin

noun

d

io

aɪɑ

x

ks

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ɪ

n

a harmful chemical compound containing chlorine, often produced as an industrial byproduct with adverse environmental and health effects

landfill

noun

l

a

æ

n

d

f

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ɪ

ll

l

a piece of land under which waste material is buried

fume

noun

f

u

ju

m

e

smoke or gas that has a sharp smell or is harmful if inhaled

bottle bank

noun

/bˈɑːɾəl bˈæŋk/

a collection point or recycling container specifically designed for the deposit and recycling of glass bottles

exhaust

noun

e

ɪ

x

gz

h

au

ɔ

s

t

the waste gases or air expelled from an engine, furnace, or other machinery

What is "exhaust"?

Exhaust refers to the gases or air that are released from an engine, furnace, or other machinery after they have been used in the process of producing energy or heat. This waste air or gas is typically the result of burning fuel, and it is expelled through a system such as a tailpipe or vent. Exhaust can contain harmful substances like carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and other pollutants, which is why many systems are designed to filter or direct them safely away from people and the environment.

debris

noun

d

e

ə

b

r

i

s

the scattered pieces of waste, remains, or broken objects, often left after destruction or an accident

pesticide

noun

p

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ɛ

s

t

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ə

c

s

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aɪ

d

e

a type of chemical substance that is used for killing insects or small animals that damage food or crops

herbicide

noun

h

e

ɜ

r

b

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ɪ

c

s

i

aɪ

d

e

a chemical substance that kills plants, used for destroying plants that are not wanted

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You learned 17 words from Talking about Pollution. To improve learning and review vocabulary, start practicing.

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