Y06W14VC Theme Words — Sustainable living

This module explores vocabulary connected to the theme of sustainable living. The words in this set are used when discussing environmental responsibility, resource management, conservation and the long-term wellbeing of people and the planet. These terms appear in science, geography, news media and persuasive writing. Developing fluency with this vocabulary helps students engage meaningfully with the challenges and choices surrounding environmental sustainability.

Word in Context (Theme: Sustainable living)

These three words connect to the theme of Sustainable living. Think about how each word helps you describe the topic more precisely.

renewable

/rɪˈnjuːəbəl/

re‑new‑a‑ble

adjective

Able to be replenished naturally or replaced without running out; not using finite resources.

Word family: renewable (adj.), renewability (n.)

Example: Solar and wind power are considered the most widely available forms of renewable energy.

Synonyms: sustainable, replenishable, inexhaustible

Collocations: renewable energy, renewable resources, switch to renewables

resource

/rɪˈzɔːs/

re‑source

noun

Something that can be used to achieve a goal or meet a need, such as materials, energy or knowledge.

Word family: resource (n.), resourceful (adj.)

Example: Communities in remote areas often rely on natural resources to meet their basic needs.

Synonyms: supply, asset, material

Collocations: natural resource, manage resources, use resources wisely

preserve

/prɪˈzɜːv/

pre‑serve

verb | [preserve – preserved – preserved]

To protect something from harm, damage or disappearance so that it continues to exist.

Word family: preserve (v.), preservation (n.), preservative (n.)

Example: Local communities worked together to preserve the native bushland by controlling invasive plant species.

Synonyms: protect, conserve, maintain

Collocations: preserve the environment, preserve for future generations, preserve a species

Academic Vocab

source

/sɔːs/

source

noun / verb | [source – sourced – sourced]

The origin or starting point of something. In research, a piece of information used as evidence. As a verb, to find or obtain something.

Word family: source (n./v.)

Example: Students were asked to list every source they used and include it in their bibliography.

Synonyms: origin, reference, supply

Collocations: cite a source, a reliable source, source information

research

/ˈriːsɜːtʃ/

re‑search

noun / verb | [research – researched – researched]

The careful study or investigation of a topic to discover new information or verify facts.

Word family: research (n./v.), researcher (n.)

Example: She conducted research into the environmental impact of plastic packaging before writing her report.

Synonyms: investigation, study, inquiry

Collocations: conduct research, research into, a research report

evidence

/ˈevɪdəns/

ev‑i‑dence

noun

Facts, examples or information that support a claim, argument or conclusion.

Word family: evidence (n.), evident (adj.), evidently (adv.)

Example: She used three pieces of evidence from peer-reviewed sources to support her argument.

Synonyms: proof, data, support

Collocations: present evidence, strong evidence, evidence suggests

reference

/ˈrefərəns/

ref‑er‑ence

noun / verb | [reference – referenced – referenced]

A source of information cited in a piece of writing. As a verb, to mention or cite a source.

Word family: reference (n./v.)

Example: She included a reference to a peer-reviewed journal article to support her claim.

Synonyms: citation, source, acknowledgement

Collocations: make a reference to, a reliable reference, reference a source

reliable

/rɪˈlaɪəbəl/

re‑li‑a‑ble

adjective

Consistently trustworthy, accurate and dependable.

Word family: reliable (adj.), reliability (n.), reliably (adv.)

Example: Scientists must use reliable sources to ensure their research can be trusted and repeated.

Synonyms: trustworthy, dependable, credible

Collocations: a reliable source, reliable evidence, reliable data

according to

/əˈkɔːdɪŋ tuː/

ac‑cord‑ing to

phrase

‘According to’ introduces information from a source, person or text.

Example: According to the article, recycling correctly helps reduce waste in landfill.

Synonyms: as stated by, as reported by, based on

Collocations: according to the text; according to the source; according to research

Confusing Words

comprise vs compose

Comprise and compose are often confused because they both relate to parts and wholes, but they work in opposite directions. Comprise means 'to consist of' or 'to be made up of' — the whole comprises its parts — for example, 'The panel comprises three scientists and two educators.'

  • comprise — Comprise' means to be made up of — for example, 'The committee comprises six students and two teachers.'
  • compose — Compose means 'to make up' or 'to form' — the parts compose the whole — for example, 'Three scientists and two educators compose the panel.'

Memory rule: A helpful way to remember: the whole comprises the parts (the team comprises five players); the parts compose the whole (five players compose the team). Also avoid writing 'comprised of' — it is a common error. The correct form is simply 'comprises'.