Basic Details
Word: Pollute
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning: To make air, water, or land dirty and harmful to living things.
Synonyms: Contaminate, taint, foul
Antonyms: Clean, purify, refresh
Idioms and Phrases
- Polluting the well: To spoil something that is good or beneficial for everyone. Example: "By spreading false rumours, he was polluting the well for the whole community."
- Clear as crystal: Used when something is easy to understand or see through, often used in contrast to pollution. Example: "The river, once clear as crystal, has become polluted over the years."
Usage Examples
Example 1: Factories can pollute the air with smoke and harmful gases, affecting people's health.
Example 2: Its important to recycle to prevent us from polluting our oceans with plastic waste.
Example 3: The government is taking steps to reduce the number of vehicles on the road to help pollute less.
Fun Fact
Did you know that the word "pollute" comes from the Latin word "polluere," which means to defile or make unclean? It highlights how pollution can damage not just the environment, but also our health and quality of life.
Famous Quote
"The Earth is what we all have in common." - Wendell Berry
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "pollute" mean?
a) To make clean
b) To make air, water, or land dirty
c) To grow plants
d) To build a house
Answer: b) To make air, water, or land dirty
2. Which of these is a synonym of "pollute"?
a) Contaminate
b) Clean
c) Refresh
d) Purify
Answer: a) Contaminate
3. Which word is an antonym of "pollute"?
a) Taint
b) Foul
c) Clean
d) Contaminate
Answer: c) Clean
4. Which sentence uses "pollute" correctly?
a) The dust from roads can pollute the air.
b) The flower can pollute the garden.
c) I want to pollute my homework.
d) We should pollute the art project.
Answer: a) The dust from roads can pollute the air.
5. Which idiom means to spoil something beneficial for everyone?
a) Clear as crystal
b) Polluting the well
c) Cut to the chase
d) Hit the nail on the head
Answer: b) Polluting the well
