Lesson 8: Health & Fitness – Writing Band 8 Vocabulary

Lesson 8: Health & Fitness

1. allergy – a medical condition that causes you to react badly or feel sick when you eat or touch a particular substance
2. anxiety – an uncomfortable feeling of nervousness or worry about something
3. appetite – the feeling that you want to eat food
4. artery – one of the larger tubes that carry blood from the heart to other parts of the body
5. asset – a valuable thing to have
6. craving – a strong or uncontrollable desire
7. depression – the state of feeling very unhappy and without hope for the future
8. diagnosis – the identification of the nature of an illness or other problem by examination of the symptoms.
9. dietitian – a person who scientifically studies and gives advice about food and eating
10. eating disorder – Any of a range of psychological disorders characterized by abnormal or disturbed eating habits
11. heart attack – a serious medical condition in which the heart does not get enough blood, causing great pain and often leading to death
12. ingredient – one of the things from which something is made
13. insomnia – the condition of being unable to sleep, over a period of time
14. intake – the amount of something such as food, breath, or a liquid that is taken in by someone or something
15. junk food – food that is unhealthy but is quick and easy to eat
16. nutrient – any substance that plants or animals need in order to live and grow
17. obesity – extreme fatness
18. onset – the moment at which something unpleasant begins
19. portion – (1) a part or share of something larger. (2) the amount of a particular food that is served to one person.
20. serving – the amount of one type of food given to one person
21. 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.
22. acute – very serious, extreme, or severe
23. alternate – every second, or every other
24. brisk – quick, energetic, and active
25. chronic – (esp. of a disease or something bad) continuing for a long time
26. infectious – (of a disease) able to be passed one person, animal, or plant to another
27. obese – excessively overweight
28. persistent – determined to do something despite difficulties.
29. vital – essential, important
30. counteract – to reduce or remove the effect of something by producing an opposite effect
31. curb – to control or limit something that is not wanted
32. diminish – to reduce or be reduced in size or importance
33. disrupt – to prevent something, esp. a system, process, or event, from continuing as usual or as expected
34. overdo – to do something in a way that is too extreme
35. overeat – to eat more food than your body needs
36. trigger – to cause something bad to start
37. tempt – to encourage someone to want to have or do something, esp. something wrong
38. miss out on – to lose an opportunity
39. excess – an amount that is more than acceptable, expected, or reasonable
40. mouth – to move the lips as if speaking a word
41. teethe – (of a baby or small child) to grow teeth
42. writhe – to make large twisting movements with the body
43. bathe – to wash something with water, esp. a part of your body
44. agony – extreme physical or mental pain or suffering
45. tablet – a small, solid piece of medicine
46. notion – belief or idea
47. staple – main or important, especially in terms of consumption
48. swap – exchange; to give something and be given something else instead
49. more or less – approximately
50. apt – suitable; appropriate
51. cope – to deal successfully with a difficult situation
52. wording – the exact choice of words
53. build-up – an increase, especially one that is gradual
54. debilitating – causing weakness
55. pace – the speed at which somebody/something walks, runs or moves
56. aspect – a particular part or feature of a situation or a problem
57. attitude – the way you feel about something or someone
58. creativity – the ability to produce original and unusual ideas
59. daily routine – typical or everyday activity
60. desire – a strong feeling that you want something
61. fulfilment – a feeling of happiness because you are doing what you intended to do in life
62. hobby – an activity that someone does for pleasure when they are not working
63. insight – the capacity to gain an accurate and deep understanding of someone or something.
64. leisure – the time when you are not working or doing other duties
65. lifestyle – the way that you live
66. optimist – someone who always believes that good things will happen
67. outlook – the likely future situation
68. opportunity – a chance to do something
69. personality – the type of person you are, shown by the way you behave, feel, and think
70. pessimist – someone who feels that bad things are more likely to happen than good things
71. priority – something that is very important and must be dealt with before other things
72. realist – a person who tends to accept and deal with people and situations as they are
73. risk taker – someone who often takes risks
74. self-expression – expression of your personality, emotions, or ideas, especially through art, music, or acting
75. sense – the ability to make reasonable judgments
76. intense – extreme
77. materialistic – believing that having money and possessions is the most important thing in life
78. outdoor – existing, happening, or done outside a building
79. recreational – relating to or denoting activity done for enjoyment when one is not working.
80. appeal – to make a serious or formal request
81. fulfil – to do something that is expected
82. motivate – to cause someone to behave in a particular way
83. regret – to feel sad about a lost opportunity
84. lead a happy life – having a purpose each day and achieving that goal.
85. live life on the edge – to have an adventurous or perilous lifestyle live
86. life to its fullest – often said to encourage people who are feeling down, a bit depressed, lonely or self-pitying.
87. make a choice – to select; to separate and take in preference.
88. make a decision – decide
89. make a living – to earn enough money to buy the things you need
90. meet a need – to do something that someone wants, needs, or expects you to do
91. take part – involve
92. do something for a living – to do something as your job or a way of making money
93. walks of life – various levels of social position or achievement
94. cost of living – the amount of money that a person needs to live
95. lifelong ambition – very strong desire
96. once in a lifetime – only likely to happen once in a person’s life
97. standard of living – the degree of comfort that people in a particular social class, country, etc. have
98. way of life – the manner in which a person lives
99. inevitable – unavoidable
100. arcade – a covered passageway usually lined with shops
101. quilt – a decorative cover for a bed
102. be spoilt for choice – to be unable to choose because there are so many possible good choices
103. ahead of time – sooner than was expected
104. upcoming – happening soon
105. delighted – very pleased
106. babysit – to take care of other people’s children in your own home as a job

Some questions asked in previous IELTS Writing Paper that you would be able to write with the help of the vocabulary in this lesson:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Do you think that an ageing society will disappear?
   What are the advantages and disadvantages of having more old people in society?
4. 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.

5. 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.