Adjectives for Describing Sustainable Cities

Welcome! In this lesson, you will learn useful adjectives and structures to describe sustainable cities—an important topic for B2 (FCE) level English learners. Mastering this vocabulary will help you talk and write confidently about cities and sustainability, especially in exams.

Theory: Adjectives and Their Use

Adjectives are words that describe or give more information about nouns. When talking about sustainable cities, we often use adjectives to describe qualities, conditions, or characteristics. For example:

eco-friendly buildings
polluted air
modern transport
crowded streets
renewable energy

Adjectives usually come before the noun they describe: green parks, clean water.

Practical Examples

The city is famous for its sustainable architecture.
Public transport is efficient and affordable.
Many people use renewable energy sources.
The streets are clean and safe for pedestrians.
There are numerous green spaces in the city.

Notice how adjectives help to give a clear picture of the city.

Highlighted Grammatical Structures

Adjective + Noun: sustainable development, modern infrastructure
Verb + Adjective: become green, remain polluted
Comparatives and Superlatives: greener, the most eco-friendly
Adjective Phrases: full of green spaces, rich in biodiversity

Common Learner Mistakes

❌ Incorrect: The city is very much green.
✔ Correct: The city is very green.
❌ Incorrect: People live in a eco-friendly city.
✔ Correct: People live in an eco-friendly city.
❌ Incorrect: The air is polluteded.
✔ Correct: The air is polluted.

Tip: Remember to use „an” before adjectives starting with a vowel sound, and check spelling!

Exam-Focused Tips

Use a variety of adjectives to make your writing and speaking more interesting.
Show your range by using both simple (clean) and complex (environmentally-friendly) adjectives.
Be careful with spelling and word order: adjectives usually come before nouns.
In FCE Writing, describing cities with precise adjectives can help you score higher for vocabulary.

Interactive Practice

Choose the correct adjective to complete each sentence. Click „Check Answers” to see your score!

1. The city has many _____ parks where people can relax.

2. Public transport is very _____ and helps reduce traffic jams.

3. The air in the city is _____ because of too many cars.

4. The city is known for its _____ buildings that use solar panels.

Summary

Adjectives are essential for describing sustainable cities in English. Use them before nouns, vary your vocabulary, and pay attention to spelling and grammar. Practise using these adjectives in sentences to improve your exam performance and communicate more effectively about modern urban life!

Recommended Study Materials

Exam Level	Topic	Description
B2 / FCE	Sustainable Cities: Adjectives & Vocabulary	Practice exercises and vocabulary for describing cities and sustainability at B2 level.	Download PDF

Menu

Szybki kontakt