IELTS Topic: Health and fitness
Learning Objectives
In this lesson you will:
Practice Discussion questions based on the IELTS topic.
Create sentences related to the IELTS topic, and also practice paraphrasing sentences.
Practice answering IELTS Part 1 questions using the A R/E method.
Prepare and answer Part 2 questions using some helpful language as a guide.
Lastly, we will practise answering Part 3 questions using the A R/E A method.
We will then end the class with some feedback and a homework task.
NB:
Please remember to always bring a pen and paper to take notes. (Especially for part 2).
VOCABULARY & EXPRESSIONS
Go over the following vocabulary and expressions with your tutor. Read the word/expression and definition out loud, and your tutor will go over anything you do not understand. Practice creating a sentence or two to make sure you know how to use the word/expression properly. Also Practice paraphrasing and finding synonyms by paraphrasing at least two of the example sentences, as this will help you in all parts of the IELTS test.
Exercise 1
Vocabulary/ Expressions
addict: (Noun)
meaning: a person, who is obsessed with or addicted to something, like example, drugs or alcohol
example : My friend used to be a drug addict, but thankfully he's drug free and healthy now.
a check-up: (Phrasal Verb)
meaning: an examination done by a doctor.
example : I felt sick for a few days, so I went for a check-up.
a runny nose: (Verb Phrase)
meaning: a nose that has liquid coming out of it.
example : I caught a cold, so now I have a runny nose.
chronic disease: (Noun)
meaning: a type of disease that continues to occur for a long time.
example : My friend Rob needs to use an inhaler every day, because he has chronic asthma.
epidemic: (Noun)
meaning: when disease spreads very quickly and effects a large number of people.
example : There was a large epidemic in Africa in the 20th century, It took away millions of lives.
painkillers: (Noun)
meaning: medicine for dealing with pain.
example : I had to take the painkillers last night, because I couldn't handle the pain.
rehab: (Noun)
meaning: short for rehabilitation center or a course of treatment for drug or alcohol or any other dependence.
example : After talking to a doctor, Jim decided to go to a rehab.
to diagnose: (Verb)
meaning: to recognise an illness by examining the patient.
example : Although Nick had a very rare disease, his doctor managed to diagnose it correctly.
to stutter: (Verb)
meaning: to talk with a continued accidental repetition of sounds.
example : Sometimes you might develop a stutter if you have been scared by someone or something.
alive and kicking: (Idiom)
meaning: to continue being well and healthy.
example : My grandma is almost 90 but she's still alive and kicking.
to break a habit: (Verb Phrase)
meaning: to stop doing something that is a habit, especially something bad or harmful.
example : I was addicted to coffee, but I managed to break this habit.
to black out: (Verb Phrase)
meaning: to lose consciousness or to feint or to pass out.
example : I blacked out before my final exam, because I was too worried about it.
to be under the weather: (Idiom)
meaning: to feel ill / sick.
example : Mary won't be at work todays, she's a bit under the weather.
to phone in sick: (Verb Phrase)
meaning: to call your superior to inform him/her that you are sick and won't be at work for some time.
example : I had to phone in sick last week, because I caught a flu.
sick as a dog: (Idiom)
meaning: very sick.
example : Paul caught a flu a few days ago and now he's sick as a dog.
white as a sheet: (Idiom)
meaning: can be said about a very pale looking person.
example : John looks sick, Look at him! He's white as a sheet.
Exercise 2
Useful Language
Listen and repeat these phrases with your tutor you can use these phrases in your answer.
That’s an interesting question!
Well, let’s see. Let me think for a minute.
Let me just try to work out the best way to answer that question.
What a good question! I’ve never really thought about that before.
PART 1 QUESTIONS
Introduction and interview (4-5 minutes)
Here are possible questions that might come up during the test. Go over them with your tutor.
In the first part, the examiner will ask you a number of general questions
Are you generally a healthy person?
In what ways do you try to stay healthy?
Do you think a person’s diet is important?
Is it easy to keep fit where you live?
What part of your lifestyle would you most like to make healthier?
Are you careful about what you eat?
How important is a healthy lifestyle for you?
What do you think is more important, eating healthy or doing exercise?
What are the health benefits of playing a sport?
Have you ever had any habits which you consider to be unhealthy?
Do you think more about your health now than when you were younger?
Is going to for a check-up at a doctor or dentist on a regular basis important to you or not and why?
Exercise 3
Useful Language
Use these phrases to help you plan your following part 2 question.
PART 2 QUESTIONS
Individual long turn (3-4 minutes)
Here are possible questions that might come up during the test. Go over them with your tutor.
You will have 1 minute to prepare to speak, and then you will talk for 2 minutes, during which the examiner will not speak.
Sample A
Describe a time when you were ill.
You should say:
when this was
what your symptoms were
how long the illness lasted
and say how it affected your life at the time
Sample B
Describe something you do to keep healthy.
You should say :
What this activity is
when you do it
and how often you do it and explain why you think it’s a good way to look after your health.
Sample C
Describe something you have done that is good for your health and that you would recommend to others.
You should say :
what it is
when you do it
who you do it with and explain why you think it is good for your health.
PART 3 QUESTIONS
Two-way discussion (4-5 minutes)
Here are possible questions that might come up during the test. Go over them with your tutor.
In the last part, you will talk with the examiner about issues related to the topic on the card.
Do you think people pay enough attention to their health today?
What costs are involved when you are ill in your country?
Do you think most people worry more about their health as they get older?
How can people be encouraged to stay healthy?
What are the most popular ways of keeping healthy in your country?
Why do you think some people continue bad habits when they know that they are damaging to their health?
Do women pay more attention to their health than men?
Do you think people have become more health-conscious in recent years?
How can children learn to have a healthy lifestyle?
Do you think the government should promote a healthy lifestyle among the citizens?
Would you say modern science and technology have more of a positive or a negative influence on people’s health?
