🎯 Objective
To help learners understand and practice using 10 essential vocabulary words related to sustainable development, economics, and environmental protection, focusing on meaning, collocations, and appropriate usage in academic and policy contexts.
📝 Target Vocabulary
Today's lesson focuses on these 10 important words commonly used in discussions about sustainable development, environmental economics, and social policy:
| Word | Part of Speech | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| alternative | noun/adjective | A different option or choice; offering a substitute |
| economy | noun | The system of trade and industry; careful use of resources |
| necessary | adjective | Required; essential; needed for a particular purpose |
| sustainable | adjective | Able to continue over time without depleting resources |
| distinctive | adjective | Characteristic; having a special quality that makes something recognizable |
| harmful | adjective | Causing damage or injury; detrimental |
| partnership | noun | A cooperative relationship between people or organizations |
| earn a living | phrase | To make enough money to support oneself and family |
| maintain | verb | To keep in good condition; to continue or preserve |
| preserve | verb | To protect and keep safe; to maintain in original state |
📚 Step-by-Step Guide: Mastering Sustainable Development Vocabulary
Understanding Sustainable Development Vocabulary
Why is this vocabulary crucial? These words form the foundation of modern discussions about environmental policy, economic development, and social responsibility. They're essential for IELTS essays about environmental issues, economic policy, social development, and global cooperation.
The 4 Keys to Development Vocabulary Mastery
1. 🌍 Policy and Planning Language
What to do: Learn words essential for discussing solutions and strategies
Examples: "sustainable development," "necessary measures," "alternative approaches"
IELTS value: Critical for problem-solution essays
2. 💼 Economic and Social Context
What to do: Understand vocabulary linking environment and economics
Examples: "green economy," "earn a living," "economic partnerships"
Academic power: Shows understanding of complex relationships
3. ⚖️ Balance and Trade-offs
What to do: Master vocabulary for discussing competing priorities
Examples: "maintain balance," "harmful effects," "preserve vs develop"
Analytical strength: Essential for nuanced arguments
4. 🤝 Cooperation and Collaboration
What to do: Learn language for describing working relationships
Examples: "international partnerships," "collaborative approaches"
Global perspective: Shows understanding of international cooperation
Common Collocations & Academic Usage
Sustainable:
Common collocations: "sustainable development," "sustainable economy," "sustainable practices"
Academic context: "Governments must promote sustainable economic growth that preserves natural resources."
Alternative:
Common collocations: "alternative energy," "alternative solutions," "viable alternative"
Academic context: "Renewable energy provides a necessary alternative to fossil fuels."
Partnership:
Common collocations: "public-private partnership," "international partnership," "strategic partnership"
Academic context: "Effective partnerships between governments and businesses are essential for sustainable development."
Maintain:
Common collocations: "maintain standards," "maintain balance," "maintain growth"
Academic context: "Countries must maintain economic development while protecting the environment."
Preserve:
Common collocations: "preserve biodiversity," "preserve resources," "preserve traditions"
Academic context: "It is necessary to preserve natural habitats for future generations."
Word Formation & Related Terms
✅ Word Families to Learn:
- Sustain: sustainable, sustainability, unsustainable
- Economy: economic, economical, economist
- Necessary: necessity, necessarily, unnecessary
- Harm: harmful, harmless, harm (verb/noun)
- Maintain: maintenance, maintainable
- Preserve: preservation, preservative, preservable
❌ Common Mistakes to Avoid:
- Confusing "economic" (about money) with "economical" (cost-effective)
- Using "alternate" instead of "alternative" in formal writing
- Wrong pattern: "necessary of" instead of "necessary for"
- Mixing up "maintain" (keep) with "obtain" (get)
- Using "conserve" and "preserve" interchangeably (subtle differences)
Academic Writing Applications
IELTS Task 2 Applications:
Environment: "Sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels are necessary to preserve the planet."
Economics: "Green economies help people earn a living while protecting distinctive ecosystems."
Problem-Solution Structure:
Problem: "Traditional industries are harmful to the environment but necessary for people to earn a living."
Solution: "Public-private partnerships can develop sustainable alternatives that maintain economic growth."
Compare and Contrast:
Pattern: "While economic growth is necessary, it should not be harmful to distinctive natural environments that future generations need to preserve."
Cause and Effect:
Causal language: "Partnerships between governments and businesses can maintain sustainable economic development while preserving natural resources."
🧩 Task: Complete the Sustainable Development Policy Report
Read the policy report below with missing words. Choose the correct word from the vocabulary list to complete each gap.
📝 Sustainable Development Policy Report (with gaps):
Governments worldwide recognize that it is __________(1) to develop __________(2) energy sources to replace fossil fuels, which have proven __________(3) to the environment. The transition to a green __________(4) requires innovative __________(5) between public and private sectors.
Many communities depend on traditional industries to __________(6), but these sectors often threaten the __________(7) characteristics of local ecosystems. Policymakers must __________(8) a careful balance between economic development and environmental protection.
The challenge involves finding __________(9) approaches that allow communities to prosper economically while working to __________(10) natural resources for future generations. This requires long-term planning and international cooperation to address global environmental challenges effectively.
1. Choose the word that best fits gap (1):
2. Choose the word that best fits gap (2):
3. Choose the word that best fits gap (3):
4. Choose the word that best fits gap (4):
5. Choose the word that best fits gap (5):
6. Choose the phrase that best fits gap (6):
7. Choose the word that best fits gap (7):
8. Choose the word that best fits gap (8):
9. Choose the word that best fits gap (9):
10. Choose the word that best fits gap (10):
✅ Answer Key & Explanation
1. necessary
Why? "It is necessary to develop" means it is essential or required. The context emphasizes the urgent need to develop clean energy alternatives.
2. alternative
Why? "Alternative energy sources" means different options to replace current energy sources. This is a standard collocation for renewable energy.
3. harmful
Why? Fossil fuels have proven "harmful to the environment" means they cause damage. This adjective describes the negative environmental impact.
4. economy
Why? "Green economy" is a standard term for an economic system focused on environmental sustainability and reducing environmental risks.
5. partnerships
Why? "Partnerships between public and private sectors" refers to cooperative relationships. This is standard language for describing government-business cooperation.
6. earn a living
Why? Communities depend on industries to "earn a living" means to make enough money to support themselves. This phrase describes basic economic survival.
7. distinctive
Why? "Distinctive characteristics" means special, unique qualities that make ecosystems recognizable and valuable. This emphasizes what makes each ecosystem special.
8. maintain
Why? "Maintain a balance" means to keep or preserve a balance between competing interests. This is a common collocation for describing equilibrium.
9. alternative
Why? "Alternative approaches" means different methods or strategies. The context calls for new ways of thinking about development challenges.
10. preserve
Why? "Preserve natural resources" means to protect and keep them safe for the future. This is the standard term for environmental conservation.
🏆 Complete Sustainable Development Policy Report
Governments worldwide recognize that it is necessary to develop alternative energy sources to replace fossil fuels, which have proven harmful to the environment. The transition to a green economy requires innovative partnerships between public and private sectors.
Many communities depend on traditional industries to earn a living, but these sectors often threaten the distinctive characteristics of local ecosystems. Policymakers must maintain a careful balance between economic development and environmental protection.
The challenge involves finding alternative approaches that allow communities to prosper economically while working to preserve natural resources for future generations. This requires long-term planning and international cooperation to address global environmental challenges effectively.
Why This Text Uses Sustainable Development Vocabulary Effectively:
- ✅ Uses precise policy vocabulary for environmental and economic discussions
- ✅ Employs correct collocations (alternative energy, green economy, maintain balance)
- ✅ Shows understanding of complex relationships between economy and environment
- ✅ Demonstrates problem-solution thinking with policy language
- ✅ Uses appropriate formal register for policy and academic contexts
- ✅ Balances economic and environmental considerations throughout
Key Sustainable Development Themes Demonstrated:
- Policy Language: necessary, alternative approaches, maintain balance
- Environmental Protection: harmful, preserve, distinctive ecosystems
- Economic Considerations: economy, earn a living, partnerships
- Solutions Focus: alternative energy, green economy, cooperation
- Future Orientation: preserve for future generations, long-term planning
IELTS Writing Applications:
- Environment Essays: Climate change, renewable energy, conservation
- Economic Development: Green economy, sustainable growth, job creation
- Government Policy: Public-private partnerships, regulation, planning
- Global Issues: International cooperation, development challenges
- Problem-Solution: Balancing competing priorities, finding alternatives
Advanced Collocations for Higher Bands:
- Economic: "sustainable economic growth," "green economy transition"
- Environmental: "preserve biodiversity," "maintain ecological balance"
- Policy: "strategic partnerships," "necessary interventions"
- Development: "alternative development models," "distinctive approaches"