IELTS Speaking Part 2 cue card · Hobbies, skills and daily life

Describe something you do to stay healthy

The full cue card, a one-minute plan for its prompts, a sample answer by Lingo Copilot and the vocabulary for this topic.

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Describe something you do to stay healthy.

You should say:

what you do
how often you do it
when you started doing it

and explain why you think this is good for your health.

How to plan your answer in 1 minute

A minute is short. Spend it on keywords for each prompt, in the order of the card:

0:00–0:10
Choose your answer
Decide on something you do to stay healthy. Pick something real that you know well, so the details come easily when you speak.
0:10–0:20
What you do
Write two or three keywords, not sentences: a name, a place, a time or a detail you can expand on.
0:20–0:30
How often you do it
Write two or three keywords, not sentences: a name, a place, a time or a detail you can expand on.
0:30–0:40
When you started doing it
Write two or three keywords, not sentences: a name, a place, a time or a detail you can expand on.
0:40–0:55
And explain why you think this is good for your health
Note one reason and one short example or story. This is the part you can keep developing until the examiner stops you at two minutes.
0:55–1:00
Check the order
Number your notes in the order of the prompts, then use them as a checklist while you talk.

Sample answer

Written for practice. Use it for ideas and phrasing rather than memorising it, then answer about your own experience.

Sample answer by Lingo Copilot · 235 words

I'd like to describe my habit of cycling to work, which has become a cornerstone of how I keep in shape. I cycle roughly twelve kilometres each way, five days a week, and I started about two years ago after my doctor pointed out that my sedentary lifestyle was beginning to take its toll on my heart health.

Before cycling, I'd tried the gym, but I found the strict schedule didn't really work because I kept skipping sessions when work ran late. Cycling solved that neatly since I had to commute anyway, so the physical activity was built into my day. Within the first month my routine was fully up and running, and I quickly noticed improvements in my stamina and energy.

What I value most is that the benefits build up over time. In the early weeks the rides felt exhausting, but through gradual progress I built endurance to the point where the commute now feels effortless. I also make a conscious effort to eat a balanced diet, because I've learned that nutrition and exercise go hand in hand. The combination has boosted my metabolism noticeably; I sleep better, concentrate more easily at work, and I've maintained a healthy weight without restrictive dieting.

In the long run, I believe this sustainable lifestyle will pay off well into my later years. It's taught me that small, consistent habits matter far more than dramatic short-term efforts.

Another sample answer (2 of 3)

Sample answer by Lingo Copilot · 249 words

The healthy practice I want to describe is intermittent fasting combined with moderate daily exercise. I do a brisk thirty-minute walk every morning and restrict my eating to an eight-hour window each day. I've been following this routine for approximately eighteen months, and it's honestly changed the way I think about health.

I was prompted to try it after a routine blood test uncovered a nutritional deficiency and borderline cholesterol. My doctor suggested I overhaul my eating patterns rather than rely on supplements. Once I'd researched the science, I discovered fasting can help the body regulate its hormonal balance and support natural recovery, which convinced me to give it a fair trial.

The first few weeks were tough. I had to strike a balance between pushing through hunger pangs and listening to my body so I wouldn't burn out. Gradually, though, the practice became so ingrained in my routine that skipping it feels unnatural. I also developed a habit of preparing nutritious meals in advance, which removed the temptation of processed food and helped me stay on track even on busy days.

From a health perspective, the results have been remarkable. My energy's more stable throughout the day, my mental well-being has improved, and my latest blood panel confirms I'm firmly on the right track. Perhaps the most effective aspect is the mental discipline it's built: managing impulses around food has spilled over into other areas of my life, making me more focused and deliberate in everything I do.

Another sample answer (3 of 3)

Sample answer by Lingo Copilot · 240 words

Well, I'd like to describe strength training, which I took up around three years ago and now practise four times a week. Each session lasts about an hour and follows a structured programme targeting different muscle groups on different days.

I started because a friend warned me that years of desk work were wearing down my posture and overall physical activity levels. When I experienced persistent back pain from my sedentary job, I decided to nip it in the bud before it got worse. A trainer helped me adjust the intensity so I progressed safely, and I soon understood the connection between training load and recovery.

Most of my early gains came from compound lifts like squats and deadlifts, which dramatically improved my coordination and body awareness. I also adopted a strict recovery routine that includes adequate sleep, foam rolling, and a balanced diet with sufficient protein. These elements work together to build stamina and support the physical adaptation my body needs.

What makes this practice so beneficial is its overall impact. Beyond the obvious endurance and strength improvements, I've noticed better mental well-being and sharper concentration. The discipline required to maintain a regular schedule has sparked positive changes in other areas of my life, from time management to stress resilience. I firmly believe that the body's ability to adapt is remarkable, and investing in strength training is one of the most effective things anyone can do for long-term health.

Useful vocabulary

nutritiousadjective: Containing substances necessary for growth, health, and physical condition
staminanoun: The ability to sustain prolonged physical or mental effort
moderateadjective: Average in amount, intensity, or degree; not excessive
endurancenoun: The ability to withstand prolonged hardship or exertion
designnoun: the plan or arrangement of something
sedentaryadjective: Characterised by much sitting and little physical activity
metabolismnoun: The chemical processes in the body that convert food into energy
regimentedadjective: Very strictly organised or controlled according to a set plan
calibrateverb: To adjust precisely according to a particular standard or purpose
counterproductiveadjective: Having the opposite of the desired effect; hindering progress
proprioceptionnoun: Awareness of the position and movement of one's own body
homeostasisnoun: The tendency of the body to maintain internal stability and balance
efficaciousadjective: Successful in producing a desired or intended result
catalyseverb: To cause or accelerate a process or change in the body
cumulativeadjective: Increasing by successive additions over time

Useful collocations

balanced diet
Maintaining a balanced diet rich in lean protein and fibrous vegetables forms the foundation of my health strategy.
physical activity
I aim for at least forty-five minutes of structured physical activity every morning before work.
mental well-being
My yoga practice addresses mental well-being just as effectively as it targets flexibility.
build stamina
Interval training on the rowing machine has been the most effective method to build stamina.
develop a routine
The most challenging step was to develop a routine that I could sustain alongside my work commitments.
sustainable lifestyle
I have come to appreciate that a sustainable lifestyle matters more than short-term transformation challenges.
physiological adaptation
The physiological adaptation my body underwent during the first six weeks was both humbling and motivating.
nutritional deficiency
A blood test revealed a subtle nutritional deficiency that explained my persistent fatigue.
recovery protocol
My recovery protocol includes foam rolling, adequate protein intake, and a strict nine-hour sleep window.
gradual progression
The principle of gradual progression has shielded me from the overuse injuries that plagued my earlier attempts.
nip it in the bud
If you notice a health issue, it's best to nip it in the bud early.
well-balanced lifestyle
A well-balanced lifestyle involves both physical activity and proper rest.
clean bill of health
The doctor gave me a clean bill of health at my last check-up.
make a conscious effort
I make a conscious effort to walk instead of driving when I can.
in tip-top shape
I've been exercising regularly and feel like I'm in tip-top shape.

Part 3 questions on this topic

In the test, Part 3 continues with wider questions linked to your Part 2 topic. Questions from our question bank:

Do you think people are healthier now than they were in the past?
How important is a healthy lifestyle for long-term well-being?
Should governments do more to promote healthy lifestyles?

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