IELTS Topic Vocabulary: Health (Free PDF)
Useful health chunks for Speaking and Writing Task 2. Learn collocations, not isolated words. Free printable PDF with DailyEnglishPro.com branding.
How to use this list
Health is one of the most frequent IELTS topics in Speaking Part 3 and Writing Task 2. This mini-list covers lifestyle, diet, medical care, public health, mental wellbeing and fitness.
Learn chunks with a personal example. Collocations score better for Lexical Resource than single words with a translation.
Health questions reward concrete causes and solutions more than general opinion. Examiners listen for precise partners such as chronic illness, preventive care and raise health awareness, and for your ability to move from personal habits in Part 1 to government policy in Part 3.
- Choose two mini-lists and pick 6-8 chunks you can use naturally
- Write two Task 2 sentences about health using three chunks
- Say one Part 2 or Part 3 answer aloud with at least four chunks
- Check your draft in Writing Checker, then download the PDF for offline review
- Follow the recycling steps and the 20 minute practice loop below before you add new chunks
- Keep a notebook with three columns: chunk, your own example sentence, and the mistake you made last time
How to recycle health chunks in Speaking Part 2 and Task 2
A topic list only helps if the same chunks work in more than one place. The health chunks below can be reused in a two-minute Part 2 talk, in Part 3 follow-up answers, and in a Task 2 body paragraph. You change the sentence frame, not the vocabulary. That repetition is what turns a recognised phrase into one you can produce under pressure.
| Task | Sample prompt | Chunks to recycle |
|---|---|---|
| Speaking Part 2 | Describe a healthy habit you have developed. | build healthy habits, get enough sleep, stay in shape, work-life balance |
| Writing Task 2 | Governments should spend more on preventive care than on treating illness. To what extent do you agree? | preventive care, chronic illness, public health campaign, healthcare system |
Part 2 model: "One habit I am proud of is getting enough sleep. I used to stay up late, which left me exhausted at work, but now I keep a regular schedule because it helps me stay in shape and keep a healthy work-life balance." Notice that the chunks sit inside a personal story with a reason and a result. That is more convincing than a string of topic words.
Task 2 model: "Investing in preventive care, such as a public health campaign against smoking, is more cost-effective than treating chronic illness once the healthcare system is already under pressure." The same vocabulary appears here, but the sentence is formal and balanced, with a cause or a consequence attached.
- 1Choose three chunks, not tenPick three chunks from the health tables below that you could say about your own life. Personal relevance is what makes them stick.
- 2Say them in a story firstSpeak for 90 seconds on a cue card. Add one reason and one example for every chunk. Record it on Speaking practice.
- 3Rewrite the same ideas formallyTurn two of your spoken sentences into Task 2 sentences. Replace personal examples with general ones such as 'in many countries' or 'for example, in cities'.
- 4Repeat on a different promptUse the same three chunks on a new question the next day. If you can reuse them naturally, they are now part of your active vocabulary.
Health collocation tips, common mistakes and a practice loop
Most Lexical Resource errors on this topic are not wrong words. They are wrong partners: the wrong verb, preposition or noun form around a correct word. Learn each chunk as a unit and check the verb that goes with it. The table shows slips we see often in health answers, with a safer version you can copy.
| Common slip | Better chunk | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| do sport every day | take regular exercise / play sport | Exercise takes 'take', and sport takes 'play'. 'Do sport' sounds unnatural. |
| make a diet | follow a balanced diet / go on a diet | Diet partners with 'follow' or 'go on', not 'make'. |
| the obesity rate are rising | obesity rates are rising | Rates is plural and pairs with rise, fall or soar. Match the verb. |
| cure the stress | relieve stress / cope with pressure | You relieve or reduce stress. 'Cure' is for diseases. |
| the life expectancy is longer | life expectancy has risen | Do not add 'the' for the general idea, and use a trend verb. |
| suffer from a lack of exercise | lead a sedentary lifestyle | A fixed chunk is shorter, clearer and scores better for precision. |
Use the loop below for one study block. It takes about 20 minutes and combines speaking, writing and feedback, so each chunk is tested in both skills before you move on.
| Step | Time | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Select | 3 min | Choose one health mini-list and highlight six chunks you could use about your own experience. |
| 2. Speak | 4 min | Answer one cue card or Part 3 question aloud with at least four chunks, then record it with Speaking practice. |
| 3. Write | 8 min | Write one Task 2 body paragraph: topic sentence, reason, example. Use three chunks and keep sentences clear. |
| 4. Check | 3 min | Paste the paragraph into Writing Checker and note any chunk used with the wrong verb or preposition. |
| 5. Log | 2 min | Add two corrected chunks to your notebook with an example sentence of your own. |
| 6. Retest | Weekly | Sit a timed mock test and see whether the chunks come back naturally under exam pressure. |
Healthy lifestyle
Daily habits, exercise and balance.
| Word / chunk | Note or example |
|---|---|
| a balanced diet | maintain a balanced diet rich in vegetables |
| regular exercise | take regular exercise at least three times a week |
| sedentary lifestyle | a sedentary lifestyle increases health risks |
| stay in shape | stay in shape by cycling to work |
| work-life balance | struggle to keep a healthy work-life balance |
| get enough sleep | teenagers need to get enough sleep to concentrate |
| healthy habits | build healthy habits from childhood |
| peer pressure | peer pressure can lead to unhealthy choices |
Diet and nutrition
Food choices, junk food and eating habits.
| Word / chunk | Note or example |
|---|---|
| processed food | limit processed food high in sugar and salt |
| junk food | junk food is cheap, convenient and addictive |
| obesity rates | obesity rates are rising among children |
| nutritious meals | prepare nutritious meals at home |
| food additives | avoid food additives where possible |
| calorie intake | monitor your daily calorie intake |
| fast-food chains | fast-food chains target young customers |
| eating disorder | an eating disorder is a serious mental health issue |
Illness and medical care
Treatment, hospitals and medicine.
| Word / chunk | Note or example |
|---|---|
| chronic illness | cope with a chronic illness such as diabetes |
| infectious disease | prevent the spread of infectious disease |
| life expectancy | life expectancy has risen in recent decades |
| preventive care | invest in preventive care rather than cures |
| side effects | some drugs have serious side effects |
| routine check-up | book a routine check-up once a year |
| waiting lists | long waiting lists delay urgent surgery |
| alternative medicine | some patients turn to alternative medicine |
Public health and policy
Government action and healthcare systems.
| Word / chunk | Note or example |
|---|---|
| public health campaign | launch a public health campaign against smoking |
| universal healthcare | universal healthcare protects low-income families |
| health insurance | afford private health insurance |
| sugar tax | introduce a sugar tax on soft drinks |
| vaccination programme | roll out a nationwide vaccination programme |
| healthcare system | the healthcare system is under growing pressure |
| ageing population | an ageing population increases demand for care |
| health awareness | raise health awareness through schools |
Mental health and stress
Wellbeing, anxiety and coping.
| Word / chunk | Note or example |
|---|---|
| mental wellbeing | protect your mental wellbeing during exams |
| chronic stress | chronic stress affects both body and mind |
| burnout | workers face burnout after long hours |
| cope with pressure | learn to cope with pressure at work |
| social isolation | social isolation harms elderly people |
| seek professional help | do not hesitate to seek professional help |
| relieve stress | walking in a park can relieve stress |
| emotional resilience | build emotional resilience in teenagers |
Sport, fitness and habits
Gyms, team sports and bad habits.
| Word / chunk | Note or example |
|---|---|
| physical activity | encourage physical activity in schools |
| team sports | team sports build cooperation skills |
| gym membership | a gym membership can be expensive |
| cardiovascular health | swimming improves cardiovascular health |
| give up smoking | it is hard to give up smoking |
| alcohol abuse | alcohol abuse puts pressure on hospitals |
| take up a sport | take up a sport to meet new people |
| lead an active life | older adults should lead an active life |
Practise next
Frequently asked questions
Is this health list enough for the exam?+
It is a focused starter bank, not a full lexicon. Use it with your own examples and wider reading for depth. For other themes, start from the 100 topic vocabulary mini-lists.
How many of these chunks should I use in one Part 2 answer?+
Four to six is plenty for a two-minute talk. Put them inside a real story with a reason and an example. If you need a smooth opening line first, try the 100 Part 2 cue card starters, then drill the full answer on Speaking practice.
Should I use all of these words in one essay?+
No. Pick a handful that fit the question. Overloading an essay with topic words can hurt coherence and accuracy. Two or three well-placed chunks per body paragraph are enough.
Can I use these chunks in Speaking too?+
Yes. Most are natural in Part 2 and Part 3. Keep sentences conversational and avoid reading them like a list. Practise on Speaking practice, and see Part 3 question types for how to extend answers.
How can I check whether I used a chunk correctly?+
Write a short paragraph and run it through Writing Checker. Look for wrong verbs, missing prepositions and singular or plural slips around the chunk. Then confirm the pattern in your notebook before reusing it.
Which topic lists should I study after health?+
Pair it with Technology vocabulary and Media vocabulary because the themes overlap in Part 3 and Task 2. For a bigger spread, use the 100 topic vocabulary mini-lists and the Band 6 to 7 phrase swaps.
Do health chunks work for Part 3 policy questions?+
Yes. Phrases such as universal healthcare, sugar tax and raise health awareness suit Part 3 and Task 2 policy answers. Use personal habits for Part 1 and Part 2, then switch to policy language when the examiner asks about society.
How do I test whether this vocabulary is working under exam conditions?+
Sit a full timed mock test after a week of drills. If the chunks appear naturally in your Speaking and Writing without checking the list, they are working. If not, return to the practice loop.
Where is the free PDF?+
Use Download free PDF above the practice CTA. Every page includes DailyEnglishPro.com plus links to mock tests and Pro.