Climate Change Vocabulary Quiz
12 multiple-choice questions on climate change vocabulary: emissions, carbon footprint, renewable energy, deforestation and net-zero targets. B1–B2 level.
This quiz focuses on how the target vocabulary for Climate Change is actually used in context at B1–B2 level, rather than testing bare definitions. Correct answers you will need to identify include terms such as carbon footprint, net-zero, greenhouse gases, renewable and deforestation, each embedded in a full example sentence so you have to judge meaning from context, not just recognise an isolated word.
Working through all 12 questions and checking the explanations in the FAQ below is a quick way to spot any terms you are still unsure of. Revisiting the quiz again after a day or two, rather than only once, is one of the most reliable ways to move new vocabulary from passive recognition into words you can use confidently yourself in speaking and writing.
Keep building your climate change vocabulary.
Climate Change Vocabulary — FAQ
What is a 'carbon footprint'?
A carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gases produced by a person's, organisation's, or product's activities, usually measured in tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent. Flying frequently, driving a car and eating large amounts of meat all significantly increase an individual's carbon footprint.
What does 'net-zero' mean?
Net-zero is a state in which the amount of greenhouse gases a country, company or activity emits is balanced by the amount removed from the atmosphere, for example through forests or carbon capture technology. The UK government has set a legal target of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050.
What are 'greenhouse gases'?
Greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide and methane, are gases that trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere and cause global warming. Levels of greenhouse gases are currently at their highest point in human history, largely because of burning fossil fuels.
What is the difference between 'renewable' and 'fossil fuels'?
Renewable describes energy from sources that are naturally replenished, such as solar, wind and hydroelectric power, which do not run out and produce far fewer emissions. Fossil fuels are coal, oil and natural gas, formed from ancient organic matter, which release carbon dioxide when burned and are a finite resource.
What is 'deforestation' and why does it matter for climate change?
Deforestation is the large-scale clearing of forests, often to make way for farming or urban development. It matters for climate change because trees absorb carbon dioxide, so removing large forests reduces the Earth's ability to soak up CO2 and can release stored carbon back into the atmosphere.
What is 'biodiversity'?
Biodiversity is the variety of plant and animal species living in a given habitat or across the Earth as a whole. Climate change and habitat destruction threaten biodiversity, and the loss of biodiversity can destabilise entire ecosystems that humans also depend on.
What does it mean for something to be 'sustainable'?
Sustainable describes something that can be maintained long-term without depleting natural resources or causing lasting harm to the environment. A company that sources its materials sustainably tries to ensure that its practices can continue indefinitely without damaging ecosystems.
What is a 'carbon offset'?
A carbon offset is a way of compensating for greenhouse gas emissions by funding an equivalent reduction elsewhere, such as planting trees or investing in renewable energy projects. Some airlines let passengers offset the emissions from their flight by paying into such schemes.
What is the difference between a 'drought' and a 'flood'?
A drought is a prolonged period of abnormally low rainfall that causes water shortages and can devastate agriculture. A flood is an overflow of water onto normally dry land, often caused by heavy rainfall or rising sea levels; both events are becoming more frequent and severe due to climate change.
What is an 'ecosystem'?
An ecosystem is a community of living organisms, such as plants, animals and microorganisms, interacting with each other and with their physical environment as a connected system. Coral reefs and rainforests are examples of ecosystems that are especially vulnerable to the effects of climate change.