雅思IELTS詞彙：環境
環境相關詞彙在整個考試中不斷出現：Part 1關於回收或交通的問題，Part 2題卡（cue card）例如描述一個自然景點或一種你覺得有趣的動物，Part 3關於政府與個人責任的討論，以及關於汙染或氣候政策的Writing（寫作）Task 2作文。由於這個主題太容易預測，考官很快就能看出考生是真有詞彙廣度，還是只在反覆使用同樣的三個片語。
在這個主題上，區分Band 6和Band 7回答的，很少是單字本身，而是精準度和詞語搭配。說「pollution is very bad」可以理解，但很籠統；說「air quality has deteriorated」則點出了變化，也展現對自然詞語搭配的掌控。最常見的錯誤有三個：把「the environment」當成萬用名詞，而不點出具體的問題；用了「greenwashing」這類罕見單字，卻不能在句子裡正確使用；以及幾乎每個回答都重複「protect nature」，而不是依實際題目在回收、排放、野生動物和資源之間變換。
這個主題會出現在哪裡
- Part 1關於你自己生活的暖身題目，例如「Do you do anything to help the environment?」，下方還有另外4題。
- Part 2針對題卡進行1～2分鐘的個人陳述，例如Describe a natural place you have visited, Describe an animal you find interesting。
- Part 3較抽象的追問，也是精準用語最重要的地方，例如「Should governments or individuals take responsibility for reducing pollution?」。
- Writing Task 2關於「環境」的作文題目，同樣會獎勵這些片語：你能說出口的詞語搭配，就能寫進作文。
與其說…不如說…
想法相同，用詞更精準。左欄是大多數考生最先想到的說法；右欄是考官聽起來更精準的說法。
| 常見說法 | 更好的說法 |
|---|---|
| pollution is very bad | air quality has deteriorated說出具體的問題和變化方向 |
| people should not waste things | people should cut down on waste自然的片語動詞，而不是生硬的命令 |
| the weather is changing a lot | weather patterns have become more extreme精準，也符合考官的用語習慣 |
| we need to use less plastic | we need to reduce single-use plastic說出具體的類別，而不只是「plastic」 |
| factories make the air dirty | factories emit harmful pollutants動詞「emit」比「make dirty」更準確 |
| animals are dying out because of us | human activity is driving species to extinction正式語體，適合Part 3的討論 |
| it is good for nature | it benefits the local ecosystem「ecosystem」比「nature」更具體 |
| the government should do something about it | the government should enforce stricter regulations說出具體的行動，而不是「do something」 |
依分數分類的片語
每個片語都附上意思，以及一個你實際說得出口的句子。請學整個句子，而不是只學單獨的單字。
Band 6：基本片語
清楚、正確、常見。用這些就能撐起整個回答，而且聽起來不像背好的。
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pollution
單字損害空氣、水或土地的有害物質或廢棄物
In my city, pollution gets much worse in winter because of traffic.
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recycle
單字處理用過的材料，讓它們能再次使用
My family started to recycle paper and bottles a few years ago.
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climate change
詞語搭配全球氣溫和天氣型態的長期變化
I think climate change is the biggest problem my generation will face.
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natural resources
詞語搭配來自大自然的水、木材或礦物等材料
My country has a lot of natural resources, especially forests and rivers.
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renewable energy
詞語搭配來自太陽或風等取之不盡的能源
More houses near me are switching to renewable energy like solar panels.
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protect the environment
詞語搭配採取行動，避免自然受到破壞
I try to protect the environment by walking instead of driving short distances.
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plastic waste
詞語搭配被丟棄的塑膠垃圾
There is so much plastic waste on the beaches near my hometown.
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wildlife
單字生活在自然環境中的動物和植物
The national park near my city protects a lot of local wildlife.
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public transport
詞語搭配公車、火車等開放給所有人搭乘的大眾交通工具
I take public transport to work because it produces less pollution than driving.
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carbon emissions
詞語搭配排放到空氣中的二氧化碳量
Factories in my region are being asked to lower their carbon emissions.
Band 7：詞語搭配
天生就會放在一起的詞。從這裡開始，詞彙就會拉開Band 6和Band 7的差距。
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carbon footprint
詞語搭配你的活動所產生的二氧化碳量
Flying less is the easiest way to shrink my carbon footprint.
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phase out
片語動詞逐步停止使用某樣東西
My country plans to phase out petrol cars over the next decade.
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take a toll on
慣用語造成逐漸累積的損害或傷害
I think years of overfishing take a toll on local fish populations.
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die out
片語動詞絕種或完全消失
Several bird species in the area have started to die out.
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environmentally friendly
詞語搭配對大自然幾乎沒有傷害
I always look for environmentally friendly packaging when I go shopping.
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deplete natural resources
詞語搭配消耗資源的速度快過資源再生的速度
Heavy industry in the region continues to deplete natural resources quickly.
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dwindling resources
詞語搭配持續減少的供應量
Farmers in the area are already struggling with dwindling resources like water.
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curb emissions
詞語搭配限制或減少排放到空氣中的有害氣體
New taxes on fuel are meant to curb emissions from private cars.
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crack down on
片語動詞採取強硬行動來制止違法的事
Authorities have started to crack down on illegal logging in the forest.
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raise awareness
詞語搭配讓更多人了解或注意到某個議題
Our school ran a campaign to raise awareness about ocean plastic.
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single-use plastic
詞語搭配設計成用一次就丟棄的塑膠製品
My city banned single-use plastic bags in supermarkets last year.
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tackle climate change
詞語搭配採取直接行動來因應氣候變遷
Young people I know feel we should tackle climate change more urgently.
Band 8：精準用語
精準，而且常常是慣用語。只在真正合適的地方用，不要當成裝飾。
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irreversible damage
詞語搭配無法挽回或修復的傷害
Scientists warn that some coral reefs have already suffered irreversible damage.
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a drop in the ocean
慣用語微不足道、起不了實際作用的量
One recycling bin per street feels like a drop in the ocean.
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greenwashing
單字不實地把產品或公司包裝成對環境友善
Some brands are guilty of greenwashing rather than making real changes.
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unsustainable practices
詞語搭配不造成傷害就無法持續下去的做法
The fishing industry there has relied on unsustainable practices for decades.
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biodiversity loss
詞語搭配某個地區物種和棲地的減少
Deforestation is one of the main causes of biodiversity loss worldwide.
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at the mercy of
慣用語完全受制於某事物，無法掌控
Coastal towns are increasingly at the mercy of rising sea levels.
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offset
單字用相反的行動抵銷某個影響
Some airlines let passengers offset the emissions from their flight.
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the tipping point
詞語搭配變化變得無法逆轉或無法阻止的時刻
Some scientists believe we are close to the tipping point on ice loss.
自我測驗
從上方例句中挑出8個句子，並把片語拿掉。選出適合填入空格的片語：按1～4或直接點選。
第1題，共8題
大聲說出來練習
只讀過的片語還不是你的。大聲回答這些題目，數一數上方的片語中有多少是你實際用得上的。
Part 1題目
- Do you do anything to help the environment?
- Is recycling common where you live?
- How do you usually travel around your city?
- Are there many parks or green spaces near your home?
- Do you think people in your country care about the environment?
Part 3題目
- Should governments or individuals take responsibility for reducing pollution?
- Why do some countries do more to protect the environment than others?
- What can schools do to teach children about environmental issues?
- Is it possible for economic growth and environmental protection to happen together?
- How might daily life change if climate change gets worse?
常見問題
說「global warming」和「climate change」好像是同一回事，安全嗎？
在日常說話中可以，考官不會因此扣分。「Climate change」是範圍更廣、也更通行的說法，在Speaking（口說）和Writing Task 2中都能放心使用。
環境主題需要科學詞彙才能拿高分嗎？
不需要。Lexical Resource（詞彙資源）重視「carbon footprint」或「renewable energy」這類精準、自然的詞語搭配，而不是你在壓力下可能用錯的專業術語。
這個主題最常見的詞彙錯誤是什麼？
幾乎每句話都重複「the environment is very important」和「we should protect nature」。變換名詞片語和動詞，能讓Lexical Resource的表現維持在較高水準。