IELTS Speaking Practice Question Set on Health

Yes, I’d say I’m generally healthy. I try to eat a balanced diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables, and I exercise regularly by running and doing yoga. Getting enough sleep is harder with my busy schedule, so there’s always room for improvement.

Useful language:a balanced dietroom for improvement

Running in the park near my home. It clears my head, it’s free, and I can do it whenever I have half an hour.

Useful language:clears my head

Every day. I have fruit with breakfast and try to include vegetables in both lunch and dinner, although I could probably eat more greens.

Useful language:include

I rest, drink lots of water and hot tea with honey and lemon, and try to sleep more. I only see a doctor if it lasts more than a week.

Useful language:catch a cold

I’ve tried acupuncture once for back pain. I’m not sure it worked, but it was relaxing. Generally, I trust conventional medicine more.

Useful language:conventional medicine

Partly. There are good parks and sports facilities, but air pollution from traffic is a problem, especially in winter.

Useful language:sports facilitiesair pollution

I schedule exercise like an appointment, prepare healthy meals at the weekend, and try not to work late at night, although exam periods make that difficult.

Useful language:schedule exercise

I think they’re useful for people with specific deficiencies, like vitamin D in winter, but most people can get what they need from a good diet. Some supplements are heavily overhyped.

Useful language:deficienciesoverhyped

I’d like to talk about a healthy habit I’ve developed over the past year: meditation.

I started meditating because I was feeling overwhelmed with work and studies. My mind was constantly racing, I was sleeping badly, and I wanted a simple way to calm down that didn’t cost anything.

To develop the habit, I started small — just five minutes each morning using a guided meditation app on my phone. I did it straight after waking up, before checking messages, so it became part of my routine. Gradually I increased the time, and now I meditate for fifteen to twenty minutes every day. On busy days I do a short breathing exercise instead, so I don’t break the streak.

This habit has had a significant effect on my life. I’m more patient in stressful situations, I fall asleep more easily, and I’m more aware of my thoughts and emotions instead of reacting immediately. It has also improved my productivity, because I can concentrate for longer without getting distracted.

I think it’s important because mental health is just as essential as physical health, yet we often neglect it. Meditation has become an essential part of my day, and I’d recommend it to anyone who feels stressed — the key is to start with just a few minutes and be consistent.

Useful language:overwhelmedmy mind was constantly racingstarted smallbreak the streakneglectbe consistent

The concept of health has become much more holistic. Traditionally, health meant physical wellbeing and the absence of disease, but now there’s recognition that mental, emotional and social factors matter too. There’s more emphasis on prevention and lifestyle — nutrition, sleep, stress — rather than just treating illness, and mental health in particular is now seen as equally important as physical health.

Useful language:holisticthe absence of diseasepreventionequally important

A central role. Poor mental health affects sleep, energy and physical health, and it influences relationships and performance at work. Conditions like chronic stress can even weaken the immune system, so physical and mental health are closely linked.

Useful language:chronic stressclosely linked

Definitely. It can motivate people through fitness challenges and healthy recipes, but it also spreads unreliable diet advice and unrealistic body images. So it influences habits in both positive and harmful ways.

Useful language:fitness challengesunrealistic body images

Genetic research could make healthcare much more personalised, with treatments designed for a person’s genetic profile and earlier detection of inherited risks. It also raises concerns about privacy and whether insurers or employers might misuse genetic information.

Useful language:personalisedinherited risksmisuse

Investing in prevention is one of the most effective solutions — reducing smoking, obesity and other risk factors lowers long-term costs. Using technology for remote consultations, negotiating lower drug prices and reducing administrative waste would also help.

Useful language:remote consultationsadministrative waste

Schools can serve healthy meals, provide daily physical activity and teach practical lessons about nutrition and mental wellbeing. Limiting sugary snacks on school premises and offering counselling services are also important.

Useful language:daily physical activitycounselling services

Cultures differ in diet, attitudes to exercise and how openly mental health is discussed. Some rely more on traditional or herbal medicine, while others trust mainly modern medicine. These differences affect how people seek treatment and follow medical advice.

Useful language:herbal medicineseek treatment