Transcript GLOSSARY

A
• ATMOSPHERE:
a layer of gases sorrounding a material body of sufficient mass
that is held in place by the gravity of the mass.
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ALTERATION: a change in something or the process of changing it.
AEROSOL: a suspension of fine solid particles or liquid droplets in a gas.
AVERAGE: the usual level or amount for most people or things.
AIR: the gases around the Earth, which we breathe.
ACID: a liquid chemical substance that has a pH of less than 7.
AREA: a specific place.
AGE: period of history or in someone’s life; the state of being old.
• AMOUNT: a quantity.
• ACCELERATE: to start going faster.
• ADAPT: to get used to doing something.
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BULB: the glass part of an electric light, where the light shines from.
BAULK: to refuse obstinately or abruptly.
BURN: to damage or destroy something with fire or heat.
BEAR: any of the various, usually omnivorous, mammals of the Ursidae with a
shaggy coat and a short tail, walking with the entire lower surface of their foot
touching the ground.
• BIOSPHERE: the part of the Earth and its atmosphere in which living organisms
exist or that is capable of supporting life. The living organisms and their
environment compose the biosphere.
• BENEFIT : an advantage or improvement that you get from something.
C
• COAL: a black mineral, used as a fuel, which is dug from the Earth and burnt
to produce heat. It derives from fossilized plants and consists of amorphous
carbon with various organic and some inorganic compounds.
• CARBON: a natural abundant non metallic element that occurs in many
inorganic and in all organic compounds; it exists freely as graphite and
diamond and as a constituent of coal, limestone and petroleum; it is
capable of chemical self-bonding to form an enormous number of
chemically, biologically and commercially important molecules.
• CLIMATE: the meteorological conditions, including temperature,
precipitation and wind, that characteristically prevail in a particular region.
• CARBON DIOXIDE: a colourless, odourless, incombustible gas: CO2, formed
during respiration, combustion and organic decomposition and used in food
refrigeration, carbonated beverages, inert atmosphere, fire extinguishers,
and aerosols. It is also called carbonic acid gas.
• CHLOROFLUOROCARBONS: various halocarbon compounds consisting of
carbon, hydrogen, chlorine, and fluorine, once used widely as aerosol
propellants and refrigerants. Chlorofluorocarbons are believed to cause
depletion of the atmospheric ozone layer.
D
• DUST: a cloud of fine, dry particles.
• DEFORESTATION: the cutting down and removal of all or most of the trees in a
forested area. Deforestation can erode soil, it contributes to desertification and the
pollution of waterways and decreases biodiversity by destroying natural habitat.
• DANGER: a source of risk or peril.
• DEVELOP: to expand or enlarge.
• DEBATE: to discuss a subject formally so that you can make a decision or solve a
problem.
• DATA: factual information, especially information organized for analysis or used to
reason or make decisions.
• DEAL: an agreement or arrangement, especially in business.
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• EFFECT: something brought about by a cause or agent; a result.
• EARTH: the planet we live on.
• ENVIRONMENT: the complex of social and cultural conditions affecting the
nature of an individual or a community.
• EMISSION: a substance that is sent out into the air, or the act of sending it out.
• ECOLOGY: the relationship of living things to each other and to their
environment, or the scientific study of this.
• ECONOMY: the system by which a country’s money and goods are produced and
used.
• ECOSYSTEM: all the animals and plants in an area, and their relationship to each
other and their environment.
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• FOSSIL: a remnant or trace of an organism of a past geologic age, such as a
skeleton or leaf imprint, embedded and preserved in rock.
• FUEL: a substance such as coal, gas or oil which can be burned to produce heat or
power.
• FLOOD: a very large amount of water that covers an area which is usually dry.
• FOOD: material, usually of plant or animal origin, that contains or consists of
essential body nutrients, such as carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, or
minerals, ingested and assimilated by an organism to produce energy, stimulate
growth and maintain life.
• FREEZE: to become solid and hard because of a very cold temperature.
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• GREENHOUSE: a structure, primarily of glass, in which temperature and
humidity can be controlled for the cultivation or protection of plants.
• GREENHOUSE EFFECT: the phenomenon whereby the Earth's atmosphere traps
solar radiation, caused by the presence in it of gases such as carbon dioxide, water
vapour and methane that, on allowing sunlight to pass through, absorb the heat
radiated back from the Earth's surface.
• GAS: a clear substance like air that is burned to give heat for cooking and heating.
• GLACIER: a huge mass of ice slowly flowing over a land mass, made of compacted
snow in an area where snow accumulation exceeds melting and sublimation.
• GLOBAL WARMING: an increase in the average temperature of the Earth's
atmosphere, especially a sustained increase sufficient to cause climatic changes.
• GROW: to get bigger in size through a natural process.
• GLOBE: a round object with a map of the Earth drawn on it.
Liceo Scientifico Statale
«G. Galilei»
Pescara
a. s. 2012-2013
FABIO DI GIROLAMO
Class 2^A
English Teacher: Prof.ssa Miscia Roberta