ACT English and World Knowledge - Natural World

Here you will learn some English words related to the natural world, such as "drought", "canopy", "preen", etc. that will help you ace your ACTs.

review-disable

review

flashcard-disable

flashcard

spelling-disable

spelling

quiz-disable

quiz

start-learning
ACT English and World Knowledge
prey [noun]

an animal that is hunted and eaten by another animal

Ex: The spider spun a web to catch its prey .
rind [noun]

the tough outer covering or skin of a fruit or vegetables

Ex: As the sun beat down , they relaxed on the beach , sipping on cold beverages with slices of lime rind floating on top .
drought [noun]

a long period of time when there is not much raining

Ex: The farmers prayed for rain as the drought continued .
gust [noun]

a drastic and sudden rush of wind

Ex: Despite the gusts of wind , the determined kite flyer managed to keep their kite aloft , skillfully maneuvering it through the turbulent air .
snowpack [noun]

the accumulation of compressed layers of snow on the ground in regions where snowfall is common

shrub [noun]

a large woody plant with several main stems emerging from the ground

Ex: The hedgehog hid under the dense shrub for protection from the rain .
twig [noun]

a small and thin branch of a tree stemmed from another branch

Ex: The strong wind snapped several twigs off the tree during the storm .

a location where the surrounding landscape creates an optical illusion, making a gentle downhill slope appear as if it is an uphill slope

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: We observed monkeys moving swiftly through the canopy above us .

large amounts of snow falling from mountains

Ex: The avalanche was caused by a heavy snowfall the previous night .
plume [noun]

a large, feathery structure or arrangement, typically found on birds, often used for display or flight

Ex: The male pheasant 's colorful plume dazzled observers during mating season .

a protected area designated for the conservation of wild animals and their natural habitats

the child or children of a particular person or animal

Ex: They took great care of their offspring , ensuring they had everything they needed .

the dense, low-growing vegetation beneath the canopy of trees in a forest, consisting of shrubs, bushes, and small plants

Ex: The dense underbrush made it difficult to see the forest floor .
burrow [noun]

a hole that an animal digs in the ground to use as a shelter

Ex: The fox emerged cautiously from its burrow at dusk , ready to begin its nightly hunt .

a clear semi-precious gemstone consisting beryllium, with a light blue to green range of color

pelt [noun]

the skin of an animal with the fur, wool, or hair still covering it

Ex:
moisture [noun]

the presence of liquid, typically water, in a state of wetness or dampness

Ex: Her hair retained moisture from the humid climate , making it difficult to style .
blizzard [noun]

a storm with heavy snowfall and strong winds

Ex: The ski resort was closed because of the blizzard .
resin [noun]

a sticky, organic substance exuded by certain plants and trees, often used in varnishes, adhesives, and incense

Ex: The aroma of burning resin filled the air during the incense ceremony .
maw [noun]

the mouth, throat, or gullet, particularly of a carnivorous animal

poultry [noun]

turkeys, chickens, geese, ducks, etc. that are kept for their eggs and meat

Ex: Poultry farming is an important agricultural industry in many countries .
sapling [noun]

a small and young tree

Ex: They carefully protected the young saplings from deer .
progeny [noun]

one or all the descendants of an ancestor

Ex: The farmer 's progeny were expected to take over the family business and continue the agricultural tradition .
vitality [noun]

the capacity of living things for survival, growth, and sustained health

slumber [noun]

a state of deep, restful sleep, often associated with peace and rejuvenation

Ex: Bears retreat to their dens for a long slumber during hibernation .
luxuriant [adjective]

characterized by abundant and rich growth

Ex: The vineyard produced wines from luxuriant grapevines , yielding high-quality grapes .
edible [adjective]

safe or suitable for consumption as food

Ex: Some plants look pretty but are not edible .
balmy [adjective]

pleasantly warm, mild, and soothing

Ex: The balmy weather was perfect for a leisurely picnic in the park .
hybrid [adjective]

created through the breeding of two different species, varieties, or breeds

Ex: The lab created a hybrid strain of bacteria for research purposes .
premature [adjective]

(of a baby) born before completing the normal full-term pregnancy length

Ex:

to start to grow, producing buds or branches

Ex: To germinate , these desert plants require a specific temperature and amount of rainfall .
to howl [verb]

(of an animal such as a dog or wolf) to make a loud and prolonged sound or cry

Ex: The lonely coyote howled in the night , echoing through the desolate landscape .
to perch [verb]

(of a bird) to land and rest on something, such as a branch, bar, etc.

Ex: The eagle perched high on the cliff , scanning the valley below .
to leach [verb]

to extract or wash out soluble substances from a material by passing a liquid through it

Ex: Heavy rainfall leached nutrients out of the topsoil , leaving fields depleted .
to roost [verb]

(birds or bats) to settle or rest on a perch or in a shelter for sleep or rest

Ex: Chickens roost in the coop to stay safe from predators at night .
to graze [verb]

(of sheep, cows, etc.) to feed on the grass in a field

Ex: Farmers rotate their livestock to different fields to ensure they have fresh areas to graze .
to peck [verb]

(of a bird) to move the beak in a sudden movement and bite something

Ex: The ducks pecked playfully at each other in the pond .
to fell [verb]

to cut down or bring down, typically referring to trees

Ex: They needed a permit to legally fell trees in the protected forest .
to preen [verb]

to groom oneself or another individual by straightening and cleaning the feathers or fur using the beak or tongue

to move or flap rapidly and lightly, typically referring to the motion of wings, leaves, or other flexible objects

Ex: Her heart seemed to flutter with excitement as she opened the letter .
to rear [verb]

to raise and care for a child until they are grown

Ex: They chose to rear their children in the countryside .