IELTS Vocabulary Topic: Health & Fitness
allergy – a medical condition that causes you to react badly or feel sick when you eat or touch a particular substance
anxiety – an uncomfortable feeling of nervousness or worry about something
appetite – the feeling that you want to eat food
artery – one of the larger tubes that carry blood from the heart to other parts of the body
asset – a valuable thing to have
craving – a strong or uncontrollable desire
depression – the state of feeling very unhappy and without hope for the future
diagnosis – the identification of the nature of an illness or other problem by examination of the symptoms.
dietitian – a person who scientifically studies and gives advice about food and eating
eating disorder – Any of a range of psychological disorders characterized by abnormal or disturbed eating habits
heart attack – a serious medical condition in which the heart does not get enough blood, causing great pain and often leading to death
ingredient – one of the things from which something is made
insomnia – the condition of being unable to sleep, over a period of time
intake – the amount of something such as food, breath, or a liquid that is taken in by someone or something
junk food – food that is unhealthy but is quick and easy to eat
nutrient – any substance that plants or animals need in order to live and grow
obesity – extreme fatness
onset – the moment at which something unpleasant begins
portion – (1) a part or share of something larger. (2) the amount of a particular food that is served to one person.
serving – the amount of one type of food given to one person
stroke – a sudden change in the blood supply to a part of the brain, which can result in a loss of some mental or physical abilities, or death.
acute – very serious, extreme, or severe
alternate – every second, or every other
brisk – quick, energetic, and active
chronic – (esp. of a disease or something bad) continuing for a long time
infectious – (of a disease) able to be passed one person, animal, or plant to another
obese – excessively overweight
persistent – determined to do something despite difficulties.
vital – essential, important
counteract – to reduce or remove the effect of something by producing an opposite effect
curb – to control or limit something that is not wanted
diminish – to reduce or be reduced in size or importance
disrupt – to prevent something, esp. a system, process, or event, from continuing as usual or as expected
overdo – to do something in a way that is too extreme
overeat – to eat more food than your body needs
trigger – to cause something bad to start
tempt – to encourage someone to want to have or do something, esp. something wrong
miss out on – to lose an opportunity
excess – an amount that is more than acceptable, expected, or reasonable
mouth – to move the lips as if speaking a word
teethe – (of a baby or small child) to grow teeth
writhe – to make large twisting movements with the body
bathe – to wash something with water, esp. a part of your body
agony – extreme physical or mental pain or suffering
tablet – a small, solid piece of medicine
notion – belief or idea
staple – main or important, especially in terms of consumption
swap – exchange; to give something and be given something else instead
more or less – approximately
apt – suitable; appropriate
cope – to deal successfully with a difficult situation
wording – the exact choice of words
build-up – an increase, especially one that is gradual
debilitating – causing weakness
pace – the speed at which somebody/something walks, runs or moves
aspect – a particular part or feature of a situation or a problem
attitude – the way you feel about something or someone
creativity – the ability to produce original and unusual ideas
daily routine – typical or everyday activity
desire – a strong feeling that you want something
fulfilment – a feeling of happiness because you are doing what you intended to do in life
hobby – an activity that someone does for pleasure when they are not working
insight – the capacity to gain an accurate and deep understanding of someone or something.
leisure – the time when you are not working or doing other duties
lifestyle – the way that you live
optimist – someone who always believes that good things will happen
outlook – the likely future situation
opportunity – a chance to do something
personality – the type of person you are, shown by the way you behave, feel, and think
pessimist – someone who feels that bad things are more likely to happen than good things
priority – something that is very important and must be dealt with before other things
realist – a person who tends to accept and deal with people and situations as they are
risk taker – someone who often takes risks
self-expression – expression of your personality, emotions, or ideas, especially through art, music, or acting
sense – the ability to make reasonable judgments
intense – extreme
materialistic – believing that having money and possessions is the most important thing in life
outdoor – existing, happening, or done outside a building
recreational – relating to or denoting activity done for enjoyment when one is not working.
appeal – to make a serious or formal request
fulfil – to do something that is expected
motivate – to cause someone to behave in a particular way
regret – to feel sad about a lost opportunity
lead a happy life – having a purpose each day and achieving that goal.
live life on the edge – to have an adventurous or perilous lifestyle live
life to its fullest – often said to encourage people who are feeling down, a bit depressed, lonely or self-pitying.
make a choice – to select; to separate and take in preference.
make a decision – decide
make a living – to earn enough money to buy the things you need
meet a need – to do something that someone wants, needs, or expects you to do
take part – involve
do something for a living – to do something as your job or a way of making money
walks of life – various levels of social position or achievement
cost of living – the amount of money that a person needs to live
lifelong ambition – very strong desire
once in a lifetime – only likely to happen once in a person’s life
standard of living – the degree of comfort that people in a particular social class, country, etc. have
way of life – the manner in which a person lives
inevitable – unavoidable
arcade – a covered passageway usually lined with shops
quilt – a decorative cover for a bed
be spoilt for choice – to be unable to choose because there are so many possible good choices
ahead of time – sooner than was expected
upcoming – happening soon
delighted – very pleased
babysit – to take care of other people’s children in your own home as a job
IELTS Writing Task 2 Questions
- More people are now trying out different varieties of food which results in consumption of ingredients from different parts of the world.
Do you think this is a positive or negative development?
Provide specific reasons and examples to support your opinion. - In some countries, health care and education are only partially funded by the government.
Which do you think is better in terms of quality: free public healthcare and education or privately paid health care and education?
Provide specific reasons and examples to support your position. - Do you think that an ageing society will disappear?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of having more old people in society? - Which is better: to have children earlier or later in a woman’s life?
What are possible reasons and effects of these two tendencies on a personal scale and for society in general?
Support your answer with specific reasons and examples. - Some people, including medical workers argue against using animals and humans for clinical tests while others think it is necessary.
Which are you in favour of? Provide specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.