Pollution in Environment Glossary for IELTS

12 Pollution terms

This glossary can help you prepare for the IELTS writing tasks related to the Pollution in Environment.

a great deal of: adverbial phrase; A large quantity.; Example: There was a great deal of fluctuation within this fall.
atmosphere: noun; The envelope of gases surrounding the earth or another planet.; Example: There were always higher levels of sulphur dioxide than smoke in the atmosphere.
cubic metre: noun; Cubic meter (in American English) is the SI derived unit of volume.; Example: It measures smoke and sulphur dioxide in micrograms per cubic metre.
fluctuation: noun; An irregular rising and falling in number or amount; a variation.; Example: Over the next two hundred years the levels of sulphur dioxide continued to increase, although there was some fluctuation in this trend.
level: noun; A position on a scale of amount, quantity, extent, or quality.; Example: There were always higher levels of sulphur dioxide than smoke in the atmosphere.
measure: verb; Ascertain the size, amount, or degree of (something) by using an instrument or device marked in standard units.; Example: It measures smoke and sulphur dioxide in micrograms per cubic metre.
pattern: noun; A model or design used as a guide in needlework and other crafts.; Example: The levels of both pollutants formed a similar pattern during this period.
pollutant: noun; A substance that pollutes something, especially water or the atmosphere.; Example: The levels of both pollutants formed a similar pattern during this period.
pollution: noun; The presence in or introduction into the environment of a substance which has harmful or poisonous effects.; Example: The graph shows pollution levels in London between 1600 and 2000.
sharply: adverb; With a sudden, piercing physical sensation or effect; intensely.; Example: Smoke levels increased a little more sharply during this time.
smoke: noun; A visible suspension of carbon or other particles in air, typically one emitted from a burning substance.; Example: There were always higher levels of sulphur dioxide than smoke in the atmosphere.
sulphur dioxide: noun; A colourless pungent toxic gas formed by burning sulphur in air.; Example: Over the next two hundred years the levels of sulphur dioxide continued to increase.