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1.Health & Fitness Vocabulary

Topic vocabulary for the IELTS exam
* Important
Do not try and learn this list of health vocabulary.
Identify the vocabulary you find useful for answering practise
questions about health and fitness.
Record these in your vocabulary notebook and practise using
them regularly.

Key definitions:
health – the physical and mental condition of the body and the extent to which it is free from
illness or injury
fitness – the state of being physically fit and healthy.

Set 1: Health
healthy diet – mainly eating food that is nutritious and cutting down on sugar and fat.
- Eating a healthy diet can help prevent illness and disease.
health problems (or health issues) – situations where the body is suffering from illness,
injury or disease.
- An unhealthy lifestyle can lead to many health problems in old age.
- Smoking and drinking excess alcohol can lead to many serious health issues.
health risk – any factor that exposes a person to the increased chance of experiencing
illness, injury or disease such as poor nutrition, alcohol or drug consumption, unsafe water,
poor hygiene and sanitation, unsafe sex.
- Binge drinking is a significant health risk and can have many long and short-term
consequences.
ill health – suffering from some form of physical or mental illness or disease.
- He had been suffering from ill health for several months before he died.
poor health – the general state of not being in a good condition of health.
- The refugees arrived in a state of poor health having had little food or water for many
weeks.
unhealthy – harmful to health or not having good health.
- Smoking is a really unhealthy habit.
- I read in a magazine article that it’s unhealthy to eat too much red meat.
health scare – a state of alarm or anxiety caused by concern about the risk of developing or
being diagnosed with a particular illness or condition.
- Suffering chest pains while playing in the park with his kids was a real health scare and
prompted him to lose weight and get fitter.
good health – the general state of being in a good condition of health.
- Despite celebrating his 90th birthday, Peter had no medical problems and was in
remarkably good health.

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 healthy lifestyle (or unhealthy lifestyle) – a way of living that contributes to good health
and well-being.
- Regular exercise is an important part of a healthy lifestyle.
- His excessive weight and the fact that he gasped for breath when he walked were clues to
his unhealthy lifestyle.
health care – the services provided by governments or organisations for the treatment of
illness, injury, disease and to maintain well-being.
- Many governments cannot afford to provide free health care for their people.
health education – education that promotes an understanding of how to maintain personal
health.
-Basic health education is vital if child mortality in rural African communities is to be
reduced.
health-conscious – to be concerned about how your diet and lifestyle are affecting your
health and take an active interest in maintaining good health.
- After his sister died young of heart disease, Bill became far more health-conscious and
made changes to his lifestyle and diet.
health benefit – the positive effect on a person's health gained from food, activity, medical
treatment or therapy.
- Eating fruit and vegetables has many health benefits.
mental health – the state of a person’s emotional and psychological well-being. The health
of the mind.
- Stress or bullying at work can lead to serious mental health problems.
to look after your health / to take care of our health – to eat well, drink alcohol sensibly
and take exercise.
- I believe I’m still able to enjoy an active life in my 80’s because I have always looked after
my health / taken care of my health.
to regain your health – to recover from illness or injury.
- Sunita was very ill with the flu but is gradually regaining her health.

Set 2: Fitness
regular exercise – to engage in physical activity often and consistently.
- Taking regular exercise helps to keep the body healthy.
vigorous exercise – intense exercise that to causes sweating, heavy breathing and
increased heart rate.
- Vigorous exercise helps to keep the heart healthy.
to be unfit – when the body not being in good physical condition, generally due to a lack of
regular exercise.
- I gave up going to the gym six months ago and I’ve become very unfit.
prevent – To stop something from happening.
- Keeping fit can prevent a wide range of health problems from developing.
- Governments could contribute to the prevention of health problems by banning the
advertising of unhealthy products such as fast food, alcohol and cigarettes.

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 in good shape – in good physical condition.
- My parents are both in their 70’s but are still in pretty good shape.
stay in shape – to take action to maintain good health and fitness.
- Eating healthily and taking regular exercise helps me to stay in shape.
out of shape – not in good physical condition.
I got very lazy over the holidays and am really feeling out of shape.
get back into shape – to take action to improve your physical condition.
- I’ve taken up swimming to help me get back into shape after breaking my leg.
work out – to exercise in order to improve physical fitness and increase strength.
- Sally works out at the gym three times a week to help her stay fit and healthy.

Set 3: Food & Eating

diet – the type of food and drink a person usually eats and drinks.
- In many Asian countries, the staple diet includes lots of rice and vegetables.
or
diet – an eating plan where someone eats less and/or changes what they eat to lose weight
and to become healthier.
- I’m going on a diet because I’m too fat to fit into my favourite dress.
balanced diet – a combination of healthy types and amounts of food.
- Eating a balanced diet is important for staying healthy.
dietary habit – eating similar things regularly.
- Dietary habits are hard to change, especially for people addicted to junk food.
dietary requirement – the correct types and amounts of food to maintain health which may
vary from person to person depending on age and lifestyle.
- In many poor communities, people can’t grow or buy enough food to meet their basic
dietary requirements and so they get ill.
comfort food – types of food that provide a feeling of well-being. They are typically sweet
and high in calories.
- I always feel happier after eating a slice of chocolate; it’s such a great comfort food.
portion – the amount of food served to a person
- When I visited the US I was shocked at the oversized portions served in the restaurants.
No wonder obesity is such a big problem over there.
additive – A substance which is added to food in order to improve its taste or appearance
or to preserve it.
- I try to avoid food that is full of additives because I think they are bad for your health.
nutrients – a substance that provides the essential elements needed for living things to
survive and to grow.
Most fast food contains very few nutrients. I like to eat cook my own meals so that I can be
sure they are nutritious.
binge drinking – drinking an excessive amount of alcohol in a short period of time or
drinking to get drunk.
- There’s a worrying increase in binge drinking among young people in many societies
today.

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 Food & Eating Idioms
you are what you eat – makes a connection between the food someone eats and the state
of their health.
- I feel so much better and have lots more energy since I cut out junk food and started eating
more healthily. I guess it’s true that “you are what you eat”.

Set 4: Health Issues

overweight – to weigh more than is considered desirable or healthy.
- According to recent statistics, nearly 70% of the population of the UK is overweight.
obesity – the state of being extremely overweight.
- Obesity is now considered to be the most serious health issue facing the developed world.
- Being obese can contribute to developing type 2 diabetes.
diabetes – A serious medical condition in which the body cannot control the level of sugar in
the blood.
- My father used to suffer from diabetes, but after following medical advice to cut sugar out
of his diet, he is no longer diabetic.
overeating – eating more than your body needs.
- Overeating can lead to many serious health issues such as heart disease, high blood
pressure and cancer.
allergy – a condition where a person becomes ill or develops skin or breathing problems
due to eating certain foods or being near certain substances.
Food allergies seem to be becoming more common and many people have developed an
allergic reaction to nut, which can be fatal.
disease – an illness caused by infection or poor health.
Chickenpox is a very common childhood disease.
addiction – the inability to stop doing or taking something that is harmful.
- Drug addiction destroys lives and contributes to soaring crime rates.
fall ill – to become sick or ill.
Chandra fell ill while on holiday but receive excellent care in the local hospital.
come down with (something) - to become ill, to catch a virus.
- My best friend came down with a heavy cold and didn’t feel well enough to come to my
birthday party.
get over (when related to health) – to recover from being illness or injury.
I was off work for three days with a chest infection last week but I’m getting over it now.

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 Health Idioms
to be under the weather – to feel unwell.
- I was so looking forward to the new club’s opening night but didn’t really enjoy it as I was
feeling under the weather.
back on your feet – to be healthy again after a period of illness or injury.
- It took my gran a while to get over the effects of her fall but she’s back on her feet again
now.
to be on the mend – to be recovering after ill health.
- I suffered from depression after my brother was killed in an accident last year but I’m on
the mend now and beginning to enjoy life again.
to make a speedy recovery – to recover quickly from an ill health.
- The doctors said that it was because he was so fit and healthy that he made a speedy
recovery from the operation on his fractured shoulder.
road to recovery – the process of becoming healthy again.
- They didn’t think she’d survive the bout of pneumonia with her weak chest but she’s finally
on the road to recovery.
clean bill of health – a decision by a doctor that a person is healthy.
- Tony changed his lifestyle after suffering from heart problems and has now been given a
clean bill of health by his doctor.
fit as a fiddle – to be in very good health.
- I was fed up with feeling tired, full of aches and pains and always getting colds so I
changed my diet and took up running. Now I’m as fit as a fiddle.
to feel washed out – to not have much energy after an illness.
- I’m much better than I was but I’m still feeling washed out.

Set 5: Healthcare
GP – general practitioner (family doctor).
- My GP said that I am in great shape for my age.
to make an appointment – to arrange a time to see the doctor.
- I’ve made you an appointment with the doctor for 3.30 pm on Thursday.
a check-up – a physical examination by a doctor.
Now that I’m over 50, I get a free annual check-up from my doctor.
prescription – written authorisation from a medical practitioner for a patient to be issued
with a medicine or treatment.
- The doctor gave her a prescription for antibiotics to help clear up her chest infection.
phone in sick – to call your workplace to explain that you won’t be attending work due to
illness.
- He was so ill after eating the prawn curry for dinner that he had to phone in sick the
following morning.
medical cover / medical insurance – insurance for the cost of medical treatment
- I was reluctant to pay for medical cover but was so glad I had when I fell ill with malaria
after a holiday in the tropics.

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 immunisation - the process of making a person or resistant to an infectious disease,
typically by the administration of a vaccine.
- Mass immunisation programmes are highly effective in eradicating many common
infectious diseases.
vaccine – a preparation of organisms administered to stimulate the body's own immune
system to protect the person against infection or disease.
- Modern flu vaccines are so effective that thousands of lives are saved every year in the
UK and free vaccination is offered to everyone over the age of 65.
surgery - the process of cutting open the body and removing or repairing damaged parts.
- Sanchez had to undergo emergency surgery after suffering a heart attack.
operation – the act of surgery performed on a patient.
- My ankle fracture was so bad that I had to have an operation to repair it.
cure – to eradicate a disease or medical condition.
- Millions of children in the developing world die of common illnesses for which there are
simple cures.

Set 6: Common Minor Health Problems and Symptoms

symptom – a physical or mental change to the body that is caused by illness.
- Yang Li had many of the typical symptoms of flu including aching muscles and a high
fever.
to catch a cold – to get a cold.
- There were lots of people coughing and sneezing on the tube this week so it’s hardly
surprising that I’ve caught a cold.
chesty cough – a cough caused by mucus in the lungs.
- Whenever I get a cold it nearly always develops into a chesty cough.
runny nose – a nose that has mucus coming out of it.
- I hope that my runny nose is due to the cold weather and not a sign that I’m coming down
with a cold.
blocked nose – when the nose has excess fluid due to a cold.
- A blocked nose is one of the worse symptoms of a cold as it can make it difficult to
breathe.
sore throat – when the throat is inflamed causing pain when swallowing.
- I find that a drink of honey and lemon helps to soothe a sore throat.
high temperature – when body temperature is high than the average body temperature
ranges of 97°F (36.1°C) to 99°F (37.2°C); often a symptom of illness.
- When I was young, my mother only believed my story of feeling ill and not going being well
enough to go to school if I had a high temperature.
to be sick / to vomit / to throw up – when the contents of the stomach is expelled through
the mouth.
- Camilla’s two-year-old son ate six pieces of cake when she wasn’t looking and as then
sick all over the kitchen floor.
- Jared drank far too much at the party and threw up on the way home.

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 diarrhoea – a condition where the body’s solid waste matter becomes more liquid than
normal and is discharged from the body more often.
- Diarrhoea is considered a minor complaint in the developed world but in the developing
world, around 1.5 million children a year dies of it mainly due to unsafe drinking water,
inadequate sanitation and poor hygiene.
splitting headache – a continuous severe pain in the head.
- After a day of intense meetings with the boss and senior managers, Brigit went home with
a splitting headache.
to pull a muscle – to overstretch or tear a muscle causing pain.
Anatoly was favourite to win the 100 metres but fell to the ground in pain after pulling a
muscle before reaching the finish line.
cuts and bruises – minor injuries. With cuts, the skin is torn but with bruises, it is not.
Lucy got knocked off her bike cycling to work today and was lucky to get away with just cuts
and bruises.

Other Useful Health Vocabulary

Although this list is not exhaustive, this common health vocabulary will enable you to answer
most IELTS questions on this topic.

However, if you work in the medical profession, it would be a good idea to learn a small
range of specific medical vocabulary that’s relevant to your job, as work is a common
Speaking topic.

Also, if you or someone close to you has suffered from a particular illness or medical
condition, health vocabulary related to this might also come in useful.

IELTS-Style Practise Questions

For IELTS-style practise questions and sample answers visit:

www.ieltsjacky.com/health-vocabulary.html

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IELTS-Style Speaking Test Questions and Answers

Health and Fitness

Part 1

1) What do you do to stay healthy?

I eat a balanced diet with lots of fresh fruit and vegetables and take some form
of exercise every day. I also make sure that I get enough sleep.

2) Do you get ill very often?

Fortunately, I’m very healthy and rarely get ill, although I occasionally catch a
cold in the winter.

3) Is there anything you’d like to improve about your fitness?

I really want to take up yoga because I often feel stiff after exercise and I think it
would help. It would also make me more flexible and less likely to get injured
when I work out.

4) Are you careful about what you eat?

I try very hard to have a healthy diet, even when I eat out at a restaurant. I
rarely buy takeaways and if I do go out with friends for fish and chips, I only have
the fish with some peas.

5) How important is a healthy lifestyle for you?

It’s one of the most important things for me because I want to feel good and to
enjoy life. if you don’t have good health then everything else in life is a struggle.

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Part 2

Describe a change you have made to improve your health and that
you would recommend to others.

You should say:

• what it is
• why you decided to do it
• how you have benefitted from it
• and explain why you would recommend it to others.

I often make changes to my lifestyle to try and look after my health but the one I’d like
to tell you about is cutting down on how much meat I eat.

There’s been a lot of stuff in the media about how unhealthy it is to eat too much meat,
especially red meat and processed meat. I was already fairly healthy and ate a
balanced diet, but when I took up a new sport, which involved vigorous exercise, I
started to think that maybe I should try to cut down on it a little. I was particularly
concerned about the increased risk of heart disease and of having a stroke. I know a
healthy diet can help to prevent these.

I started by cutting out meat one day a week and making a vegetarian meal instead.
This was easy so I started doing it twice a week and then for three days. Soon I began
to look forward to my non-meat days as I was discovering many delicious foods that I’d
never tried before. I also started to eat more fish which has many health benefits.

Within two months I’d lost nearly half a stone in weight. Although I hadn’t actually had a
weight problem, it was a nice surprise. Even better, my cholesterol level went down
which I was especially pleased about. I certainly felt as fit as a fiddle. Many of my
friends who still eat lots of red meat suffer from high cholesterol and I’m sure there’s a
connection.

Over time, I’ve found that the less meat I eat, the less I want to eat, and I’m now down
to just cooking meat dishes at the weekends. Maintaining this diet is made easier by the
fact that I live on my own so can cook and eat whatever I want to without being
influenced by anyone else. If I had to cook a chicken casserole or steak pie for my
family I don’t think I’d be strong enough to resist eating it myself.

I don’t think I’ll ever cut out meat altogether as I enjoy it too much. I can say, however,
that going partly vegetarian has definitely saved me money as meat has gone steadily
up in price over the past few years. For this reason, as well as all the others I’ve
mentioned, I would definitely recommend cutting down on meat.
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1) Do you think people have become more health-conscious in recent years?

In my opinion, many people are more concerned about living a healthy lifestyle than, say,
ten years ago and understand how to stay fit and healthy. Lots of adults of all ages go to the
gym, cycle to work, jog in their spare time or have taken up a sport. The shops seem to
offer more healthy eating options every week so the demand is obviously there.

On the other hand, I heard on the news that over 70% of the population of my country is
overweight so most people aren’t taking good care of their health. There are lots of
programmes on TV about health problems related to obesity and how to change your life
and get healthier so I have to conclude that people are more conscious of health issues
these days but that many choose to do nothing to improve them.

2) Why do some people choose to live unhealthy lives?

As someone who tries hard to live healthily, I find it hard to understand why many people
chose unhealthy lifestyles. Personally, I think they are in denial over the long-term
damage to their health of eating and drinking too much and not taking enough exercise. In
many cases, it’s just laziness.

However, I do believe that there are some people who really do want to lose weight and get
fit but find it very difficult to change their dietary habits or find the motivation to exercise. I
have a work colleague who was so overweight and unfit that he couldn’t play football with
his children. He was so upset by this that he went on a diet and started to take regular
exercise. He lost over 40kg and is in really good shape now. More importantly, he can now
run around with his kids and play football which they really love.

Sometimes it takes a situation like this or a health scare for someone to make better health
decisions.

3) What are the health benefits of playing a sport?

In my view, there are many great health benefits to be gained from taking part in sports
activities. Firstly, it helps you to stay physically fit and healthy, and to lose weight if that’s a
problem.

Secondly, it’s good for your mental health as it can help to relieve stress and improve
work-life balance. I find this myself. I can have a really difficult day at work but when I go out
training on the river with my rowing crew in the evening, that stress disappears.

Finally, playing a sport is an excellent way of making new friends as you meet like-minded
people who share your interest. Having good friends around you is also good for your
mental health. If you play a team sport, training with your teammates pushes you to get
fitter, so that’s an added advantage, and it’s fun to work out together.

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