The IELTS Speaking test often includes questions about people who have influenced various aspects of our lives. One common topic is describing someone who has impacted your approach to health and wellness. This article will provide you with strategies and sample answers to help you excel in this type of question.
Understanding the Task
Before we dive into the sample answers, it’s important to understand what the examiner is looking for. They want to assess your ability to:
- Speak fluently and coherently about a personal experience
- Use a range of vocabulary related to health and wellness
- Employ varied grammatical structures
- Pronounce words clearly and use appropriate intonation
IELTS Speaking Test
Part 1: Introduction and Interview
In Part 1, the examiner might ask general questions about health and wellness. Here are some potential questions:
- Do you think you have a healthy lifestyle?
- What do you do to stay healthy?
- Has your attitude towards health changed in recent years?
Let’s look at a sample answer for the third question:
Examiner: Has your attitude towards health changed in recent years?
Sample Answer (Band 7-8):
“Yes, I’d say my attitude towards health has significantly evolved in recent years. I used to be quite nonchalant about my health, often indulging in junk food and rarely exercising. However, after experiencing some minor health issues, I’ve become much more health-conscious. I now prioritize regular exercise and a balanced diet, and I’m much more attuned to my body’s needs.”
Key vocabulary: significantly evolved, nonchalant, indulging, health-conscious, prioritize, balanced diet, attuned
Part 2: Long Turn
In this part, you’ll be given a cue card with a topic to speak about for 1-2 minutes. Here’s a sample cue card related to our theme:
Describe a person who has influenced your approach to health and wellness.
You should say:
- Who this person is
- How you know them
- What they have taught you about health and wellness
- And explain how this has changed your approach to health and wellness
Sample Answer (Band 7-8):
“I’d like to talk about my aunt Sarah, who has profoundly influenced my approach to health and wellness. She’s been a part of my life since childhood, but it wasn’t until I reached my early twenties that her impact on my health habits became significant.
Aunt Sarah is a nutritionist and yoga instructor, and her passion for holistic health is truly infectious. What sets her apart is her balanced approach to wellness, emphasizing not just physical health but also mental and emotional well-being.
One of the key things she’s taught me is the importance of mindful eating. She introduced me to the concept of listening to my body’s hunger cues and choosing foods that nourish rather than just fill. She’s also shown me how incorporating meditation and regular exercise can significantly reduce stress and improve overall quality of life.
Her influence has revolutionized my approach to health. I’ve moved away from fad diets and quick fixes, instead focusing on sustainable lifestyle changes. I now view health as a long-term investment rather than a short-term goal. Thanks to her guidance, I’ve developed a much more balanced and holistic view of health, considering not just my physical condition, but also my mental and emotional state.
This shift in perspective has led to tangible improvements in my life. I feel more energetic, sleep better, and have a more positive outlook overall. Aunt Sarah’s influence has truly been transformative, helping me cultivate habits that I believe will serve me well for years to come.”
Key phrases: profoundly influenced, nutritionist, yoga instructor, passion for holistic health, balanced approach, mindful eating, listening to my body’s hunger cues, nourish, incorporating meditation, reduce stress, revolutionized, fad diets, sustainable lifestyle changes, long-term investment, balanced and holistic, tangible improvements, transformative
Examiner’s Follow-up Questions:
- How has this person’s influence affected your daily routine?
- Do you think it’s important for everyone to have a health mentor?
Sample Answers (Band 8-9):
“Aunt Sarah’s influence has permeated every aspect of my daily routine. I now start my day with a short meditation session, followed by a nutritious breakfast. I’ve also incorporated regular exercise into my schedule, alternating between yoga and more high-intensity workouts. Perhaps most significantly, I’ve become much more mindful of my food choices, often meal prepping to ensure I have healthy options readily available. Her influence has helped me create a routine that prioritizes my well-being without feeling restrictive or overwhelming.”
“While I don’t believe it’s absolutely essential for everyone to have a dedicated health mentor, I do think having someone knowledgeable to guide you can be incredibly beneficial. A health mentor can provide personalized advice, offer motivation during challenging times, and help you navigate the often confusing world of health information. However, what’s truly important is having a reliable source of accurate health information and the motivation to make positive changes. This could come from a mentor, but it could also come from reputable health professionals, well-researched books, or even online resources. The key is finding what works best for you and your lifestyle.”
Part 3: Two-way Discussion
In this part, the examiner will ask more abstract questions related to the topic. Here are some potential questions and sample answers:
Examiner: How has society’s approach to health and wellness changed in recent years?
Sample Answer (Band 8-9):
“There’s been a paradigm shift in society’s approach to health and wellness in recent years. We’ve moved from a reactive model, where people only addressed health issues when they became problematic, to a more proactive and preventive approach. There’s now a greater emphasis on holistic wellness, considering not just physical health, but also mental, emotional, and even spiritual well-being.
One significant change is the increased focus on mental health. It’s no longer taboo to discuss mental health issues, and there’s a growing recognition of the interconnectedness between mental and physical health. This has led to more integrated approaches to wellness, incorporating practices like meditation and mindfulness alongside traditional exercise and nutrition.
Another notable shift is the rise of personalized health solutions. With advancements in technology and our understanding of genetics, we’re moving away from one-size-fits-all health advice. Instead, there’s a growing trend towards tailored nutrition plans, genetic testing for health predispositions, and personalized fitness regimens.
Lastly, there’s been a significant change in how health information is disseminated and consumed. The digital revolution has made health information more accessible than ever, leading to more informed and empowered consumers. However, this has also created challenges in terms of misinformation and information overload, highlighting the need for critical thinking skills when it comes to health advice.
Overall, while these changes have brought many positives, they also present new challenges. The key moving forward will be balancing these innovative approaches with evidence-based practices to ensure that our evolving approach to health and wellness is both effective and sustainable.”
Key phrases: paradigm shift, reactive model, proactive and preventive approach, holistic wellness, increased focus on mental health, interconnectedness between mental and physical health, integrated approaches, rise of personalized health solutions, tailored nutrition plans, genetic testing for health predispositions, personalized fitness regimens, digital revolution, informed and empowered consumers, misinformation and information overload, critical thinking skills, evidence-based practices
Vocabulary and Phrases for High Scores
Here are some advanced vocabulary and phrases related to health and wellness that can help boost your score:
Holistic approach /həʊˈlɪstɪk əˈprəʊtʃ/ (noun phrase): Considering all aspects of health, including physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
Example: “My aunt taught me the importance of taking a holistic approach to health.”Wellness paradigm /ˈwelnəs ˈpærədaɪm/ (noun phrase): A model or pattern of ideas and practices related to maintaining good health.
Example: “The new wellness paradigm focuses on prevention rather than cure.”Mindful eating /ˈmaɪndfʊl ˈiːtɪŋ/ (noun phrase): The practice of being fully aware and present while eating, paying attention to hunger cues and the eating experience.
Example: “Practicing mindful eating has helped me develop a healthier relationship with food.”Lifestyle modification /ˈlaɪfstaɪl ˌmɒdɪfɪˈkeɪʃn/ (noun phrase): Changes made to one’s daily habits to improve health and well-being.
Example: “The doctor recommended several lifestyle modifications to help manage my blood pressure.”Nutritional literacy /njuːˈtrɪʃənl ˈlɪtərəsi/ (noun phrase): The ability to understand and use information about nutrition to make healthy food choices.
Example: “Improving my nutritional literacy has helped me make better decisions about what I eat.”
Examiner’s Advice
To score highly on this topic, focus on:
- Personal examples: Relate your answers to your own experiences for authenticity.
- Specific details: Provide concrete examples to support your points.
- Varied vocabulary: Use a range of health-related terms and avoid repetition.
- Complex sentence structures: Demonstrate your linguistic abilities by using a mix of simple and complex sentences.
- Coherent ideas: Ensure your thoughts flow logically from one point to the next.
- Pronunciation and fluency: Speak clearly and confidently, with natural pauses and intonation.
Remember, practice is key. Regularly discussing health and wellness topics in English will help you feel more comfortable and fluent during the actual test.