IELTS Vocabulary: Weather and Environment

This comprehensive lesson covers essential weather and environment vocabulary including collocations, idioms, topic-specific words, and phrasal verbs to help you excel in IELTS Speaking and Writing.

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1. Weather Vocabulary

A. Weather Conditions & Phenomena

1. Extreme weather (n.) – Unusually severe weather conditions
   • Collocation: Experience extreme weather
   • Example (Speaking): “Many countries now face more extreme weather due to climate change.”
   • Example (Writing): “Extreme weather events like hurricanes are becoming more frequent.”
2. Torrential rain (n.) – Very heavy rainfall
   • Collocation: Be caught in torrential rain
   • Example: “The streets flooded during the torrential rain last night.”
3. Scorching heat (n.) – Intense, unbearable heat
   • Collocation: Endure scorching heat
   • Example: “Farmers struggled to work in the scorching heat.”
4. Bitter cold (n.) – Extremely cold temperatures
   • Collocation: Shiver in the bitter cold
   • Example: “Homeless people suffer the most during bitter cold winters.”
5. Gale-force winds (n.) – Very strong winds
   • Collocation: Gale-force winds battering the coast
   • Example: “Gale-force winds uprooted trees and damaged roofs.”
6. Dense fog (n.) – Very thick fog
   • Collocation: Dense fog blanketing the city
   • Example: “Flights were delayed due to dense fog.”
7. Hailstorm (n.) – Storm with balls of ice
   • Collocation: A sudden hailstorm
   • Example: “The unexpected hailstorm damaged crops.”
8. Blizzard (n.) – Severe snowstorm
   • Collocation: Blizzard conditions
   • Example: “Schools closed during the blizzard.”
9. Drought (n.) – Prolonged period without rain
   • Collocation: Severe drought
   • Example: “The drought caused water shortages.”
10. Heatwave (n.) – Prolonged period of hot weather
    • Collocation: Record-breaking heatwave
    • Example: “The heatwave led to health warnings.”

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B. Weather Verbs & Phrases

1. Pour down (phrasal v.) – Rain heavily
   • Example: “It’s been pouring down all day.”
2. Clear up (phrasal v.) – Weather improves
   • Example: “The sky cleared up by afternoon.”
3. Let up (phrasal v.) – Become less intense
   • Example: “The rain finally let up after three days.”
4. Be forecast (v.) – Predicted to happen
   • Example: “Snow is forecast for tomorrow.”
5. Take shelter (v. phrase) – Protect yourself from bad weather
   • Example: “We had to take shelter from the storm.”

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2. Environment Vocabulary

A. Environmental Issues

1. Climate change (n.) – Long-term weather pattern changes
   • Collocation: Combat climate change
   • Example: “Climate change is causing rising sea levels.”
2. Global warming (n.) – Earth’s temperature increase
   • Collocation: Contribute to global warming
   • Example: “Carbon emissions accelerate global warming.”
3. Carbon footprint (n.) – Total greenhouse gases produced
   • Collocation: Reduce your carbon footprint
   • Example: “Flying less decreases your carbon footprint.”
4. Deforestation (n.) – Large-scale tree cutting
   • Collocation: Rampant deforestation
   • Example: “Deforestation destroys animal habitats.”
5. Air pollution (n.) – Harmful substances in the air
   • Collocation: Tackle air pollution
   • Example: “Air pollution causes respiratory diseases.”
6. Water contamination (n.) – Polluted water
   • Collocation: Prevent water contamination
   • Example: “Industrial waste leads to water contamination.”
7. Endangered species (n.) – Animals at risk of extinction
   • Collocation: Protect endangered species
   • Example: “Poaching threatens endangered species.”
8. Renewable energy (n.) – Sustainable power sources
   • Collocation: Invest in renewable energy
   • Example: “Solar and wind are renewable energy sources.”
9. Ozone layer depletion (n.) – Thinning of Earth’s protective layer
   • Collocation: Ozone layer depletion causes
   • Example: “CFCs contribute to ozone layer depletion.”
10. Melting glaciers (n.) – Disappearing ice masses
    • Collocation: Rapidly melting glaciers
    • Example: “Melting glaciers raise ocean levels.”

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B. Environmental Solutions

1. Recycling (n.) – Processing used materials
   • Collocation: Promote recycling
   • Example: “Recycling reduces landfill waste.”
2. Conservation (n.) – Protecting natural resources
   • Collocation: Wildlife conservation
   • Example: “Conservation efforts save ecosystems.”
3. Sustainability (n.) – Meeting needs without harming future generations
   • Collocation: Achieve sustainability
   • Example: “Sustainable farming protects soil quality.”
4. Emission controls (n.) – Limits on pollutants
   • Collocation: Stricter emission controls
   • Example: “Emission controls improve air quality.”
5. Afforestation (n.) – Planting new forests
   • Collocation: Large-scale afforestation
   • Example: “Afforestation helps combat climate change.”

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3. Idioms About Weather & Environment

1. “Under the weather” – Feeling unwell
   • Example: “I’m feeling under the weather today.”
2. “Save for a rainy day” – Prepare for future problems
   • Example: “We should save money for a rainy day.”
3. “Storm in a teacup” – Small problem exaggerated
   • Example: “Their argument was just a storm in a teacup.”
4. “On thin ice” – In a risky situation
   • Example: “After being late again, he’s on thin ice at work.”
5. “The calm before the storm” – Peace before trouble
   • Example: “The quiet streets were the calm before the storm.”

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4. IELTS Practice Questions

Speaking Part 1:

1. “What’s the weather like in your country?”
2. “Do you prefer hot or cold weather? Why?”

Speaking Part 3:

1. “How is climate change affecting your country?”
2. “What can individuals do to protect the environment?”

Writing Task 2:

“Some people believe individuals should be responsible for solving environmental problems, while others think governments should take charge. Discuss both views.”