ACT English and World Knowledge - Land and Water

Here you will learn some English words related to land and water, such as "playa", "erode", "tributary", etc. that will help you ace your ACTs.

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ACT English and World Knowledge
meadow [noun]

a piece of land covered in grass and sometimes wild flowers, often used for hay

‌a thick, tropical forest with tall trees and consistently heavy rainfall

Ex: The Amazon is the largest rainforest in the world .
playa [noun]

a flat-bottomed desert basin that periodically fills with water to form a temporary lake, but remains dry for most of the year

ridge [noun]

an elevated area of land that forms a crest along a hill or mountain range

Ex: The house was nestled against a ridge , offering protection from the wind .
pasture [noun]

a field covered with grass or similar herbs suitable for animals to graze on

foothill [noun]

a low hill at the base of a mountain or mountain range

Ex: The lush foothills are perfect for vineyards and orchards .
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 .
landmark [noun]

a structure or a place that is historically important

Ex:
crest [noun]

the highest point or summit, especially of a mountain or hill, where the incline culminates

Ex: The ancient castle was strategically built on the crest of a steep cliff to provide a defensive advantage .
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 .

a sudden fall of a large mass of dirt or rock down a mountainside or cliff

Ex: A massive landslide occurred after the earthquake , causing widespread destruction .
mound [noun]

a small, natural hill or raised area of earth, typically formed by natural processes

Ex: The trail led up to a rocky mound with a beautiful view of the valley .
overland [adjective]

related to travel or transport over land, especially across long distances or difficult terrain

Ex:
to erode [verb]

to undergo gradual wearing away or reduction in size, typically as a result of natural forces or environmental factors

Ex: Coastal dunes erode gradually , reshaping the landscape with each tide .
mudflat [noun]

a coastal wetland area that is covered by mud or silt at low tide and exposed at high tide

berm [noun]

a flat strip or ledge of land, located along the side of a road, typically used for drainage or as a barrier

Ex: He parked his car on the grassy berm next to the highway .
bluff [noun]

a high, steep cliff or bank overlooking a body of water, often formed by erosion or geological processes

Ex: The lighthouse was perched on a bluff overlooking the harbor .
gorge [noun]

a steep-sided valley, often with a stream running through it

Ex: The trail ran along the edge of a deep gorge .
tundra [noun]

the expansive flat Arctic regions, of North America, Asia, and Europe, in which no trees grow and the soil is always frozen

Ex:
tract [noun]

a large area of land, often defined by boundaries, used for specific purposes such as development, agriculture, or conservation

Ex: Environmentalists campaigned to preserve the forested tract from logging .
rapid [noun]

a fast and turbulent part of a river with swift currents and obstacles like rocks

Ex: Fishermen avoid the rapids because of the fast water .
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 .
puddle [noun]

a small pool of water or other liquid, particularly rainwater

Ex: She stepped in a puddle while walking to work , soaking her shoes and socks .
eddy [noun]

a circular current of water or air that moves against the main flow, creating a small whirlpool or whirl

Ex: Fish often find shelter in the calm waters of an eddy .
current [noun]

the flow or movement of water or a liquid in a specific direction

Ex: Fish often migrate by riding the steady current of the stream .
brook [noun]

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

Ex: The children played by the brook , skipping stones across the water .
ripple [noun]

a slight wave or series of waves on the water's surface caused by a breeze or a disturbance

Ex: Ducks swam through the water , leaving ripples in their wake .
trickle [noun]

a small, slow flow of liquid

Ex: There was a trickle of sweat running down his forehead .
inlet [noun]

a narrow body of water between islands or leading inland from a larger body of water, often serving as a passageway or channel

Ex: An inlet provided a natural harbor for the coastal village .
bank [noun]

land along the sides of a river, canal, etc.

Ex: Fishermen lined the bank , patiently waiting for a bite from the fish in the water .
swash [noun]

the gentle, rhythmic movement and sound of water as it washes up onto the shore or against objects

Ex: Sitting by the shore , they listened to the continuous swash of the incoming tide .
runoff [noun]

the excess liquid, typically water, that exceeds the capacity of an area to contain or absorb it

Ex: Environmental regulations aim to control the runoff to prevent pollution of nearby water bodies .
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 .
swamp [noun]

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

Ex: The swamp 's ecosystem played a crucial role in filtering water and providing habitat for numerous species of birds and amphibians .
estuary [noun]

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

Ex:
gully [noun]

a narrow channel or ravine formed by the erosion of soil, especially by running water during rainfall or storms

Ex:
slough [noun]

a stagnant or slow-moving channel or inlet, often connected to a larger body of water, such as a marsh, swamp, or backwater

Ex: Fishermen favored the slough for its calm waters and abundant fish population .
splatter [noun]

the scattered droplets or particles of water or liquid that result from something being struck or dispersed forcefully

Ex: The dog shook itself dry after a bath , leaving a splatter of water on the bathroom tiles .
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 .
tsunami [noun]

a very high wave or series of waves caused by an undersea earthquake or volcanic eruption

Ex: The tsunami waves reached heights of over 30 meters in some areas , causing widespread destruction .
cascade [noun]

a small steep waterfall, usually one of several others

Ex: The tour guide pointed out several cascades along the river trail .