Key terms & definitions

A substance or source of energy obtained from the Earth, oceans or atmosphere and used by humans.

A material or feature of the Earth that people use to meet their needs.

Something found in nature that people can use, such as water, timber, minerals, coal, oil or natural gas.

Materials or supplies obtained from the environment that people use, such as water, timber and fossil fuels.

A naturally occurring body that orbits a planet, such as the Moon orbiting Earth.

The process by which organisms with advantageous inherited characteristics are more likely to survive and reproduce, making those characteristics more common over generations.

The process in which organisms with advantageous inherited characteristics are more likely to survive and reproduce, making those characteristics more common over generations.

The process through which inherited characteristics that help organisms survive and reproduce become more common over generations.

The process in which organisms with advantageous inherited characteristics are more likely to survive, reproduce and pass those characteristics to their offspring.

The process by which inherited characteristics that increase reproductive success become more common over generations.

Suffering caused by natural processes rather than human wrongdoing, such as an earthquake.

Wood obtained from a tree and cut into usable pieces, rather than broken down and recombined to make a board.

A naturally occurring atmospheric event that threatens people, property or the environment.

Inherited genetic and biological influences on a person's characteristics and behaviour.

The influence of inherited biological factors on behaviour.

The distinction between qualities someone is born with and the effects of education, care and experience on their development.

A miracle involving power over the natural world, such as Jesus stilling a storm.

The debate about the relative contributions of biological influences and environmental experiences to behaviour.

The extent to which someone's character and behaviour arise from their original qualities or from their upbringing, experiences and treatment.

A professional officer commanding a squadron of ships in the Roman navy.

A feeling of sickness, as though you might vomit.

The use of ships to prevent goods and vessels entering or leaving an enemy's ports.

The main area of a church where the congregation gathers for worship.

Finding a vessel’s position and working out the direction in which it should travel.

Laws regulating shipping and colonial trade to favour English merchants, ships and national power.

A labourer employed on major construction projects, especially canals and railways.

A mass organisation which promoted naval expansion through rallies and propaganda and helped put pressure on the Reichstag to approve funding.

The National Socialist German Workers’ Party, led by Adolf Hitler: an extreme nationalist, racist and antisemitic party opposed to democracy and communism.

The agreement signed by Germany and the USSR on 23 August 1939, publicly promising non-aggression and secretly providing for the division of Polish territory.

The organisation used to bring teachers under Nazi influence through membership and training in Nazi ideas.