IELTS Speaking: Diet and Nutrition
Diet, nutrition and ultra-processed food
Answers and an explanation for each question appear once you add this activity to your own library.
🥗 Module 1: Vocabulary & Pattern Build-Up
Build confident words, natural combinations, and flexible sentence starters before you start speaking.
📋 How to use this lesson
👨🏫 Teacher Instructions
Use this 10-minute warm-up to guide learners through key topic vocabulary, collocations, and speaking frames.
Check answers together or have students review automated feedback before starting the recording tasks.
🎒 Learner Instructions
First, test your knowledge with the vocabulary blanks, collocation matching, and number quiz below.
Next, read the four speaking patterns out loud so you feel comfortable using them in Modules 2 and 3.
1. Unit Vocabulary Review
Complete each sentence using the most suitable word from the unit list.
Unit Word Bank:
1. Fresh green vegetables supply every essential ____ that your body requires to stay healthy.
2. Oats and lentils are loaded with dietary ____, which promotes good digestive health.
3. Grilled chicken, tofu, and beans are rich sources of ____, helping the body repair tissue.
4. Eating sugary sweets an hour before dinner can ruin your ____, so you won't want your main meal.
5. Drinking a glass of cold water can help fight off an intense afternoon sugar ____.
2. Natural Collocations
Match each common collocation to its correct meaning. No meaning uses the words from the phrase itself.
What does "curb a craving" mean?
What does "artificial additive" mean?
What does "nutritional deficiency" mean?
What does "control your portion" mean?
What does "daily intake" mean?
What does "spoil your appetite" mean?
3. Four Useful Sentence Patterns
Use these practical patterns to link your thoughts naturally when describing your eating habits and health opinions.
"I can either ... or ..."
Why this works: Gives you a quick way to talk about two daily meal options without pausing.
"Not only ..., but also ..."
Why this works: Connects two positive benefits in one smooth sentence.
"When I'm pressed for time, I tend to ..."
Why this works: Sounds very natural when describing your regular habits under stress.
"What makes it really work is ..."
Why this works: Draws your listener's attention right to the most important ingredient or step.
4. Guess The Number: Nutrition Facts
Pick the number you think is correct. The official fact will be revealed immediately after you choose!
Fact 1: Salt Intake
The World Health Organization (WHO) advises adults to keep their daily salt intake below which amount?
Fact 2: Ultra-Processed Diet
In a 2019 study by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), about how many more calories a day did people eat when they were on an ultra-processed diet compared to an unprocessed diet?
Part 2: Candidate Cue Card
Take one minute to think about your points, then record your talk for one and a half to two minutes.
Describe a meal that you think is healthy and that you eat or cook often.
You should say:
- • what the meal is
- • what it contains
- • how often you have it
- • and explain why you think it is good for you.
Graded Criteria:
[Bài tập luyện nói]
Spoken Sample Response
Well, to be honest, the healthy meal I cook most often is a simple chicken and vegetable stir-fry. It’s pretty straightforward to whip up when I get home after a busy day. Basically, it contains sliced chicken breast, some chopped broccoli, carrots, and sweet bell peppers. I always toss in a handful of spinach right at the end because it wilts in seconds. For seasoning, I just use a splash of low-sodium soy sauce, fresh garlic, and a bit of grated ginger instead of heavy oil. I usually make this dish about three times a week for dinner. Sometimes I eat it with brown rice, or I just have it on its own if it’s late. I think it’s really good for me because it’s packed with lean protein and fresh greens, which keeps me going until the next morning without feeling bloated. Cooking it myself also helps me cut down on unnecessary salt and processed ingredients.
Useful Spoken Phrases In This Answer
Why do many people find it hard to eat healthily every day?
Explain two clear everyday reasons why healthy routines are difficult to maintain.
Graded Criteria:
[Bài tập luyện nói]
Spoken Sample Response
Well, I think the biggest hurdle is definitely time. Most people work long hours nowadays, so when they get home feeling exhausted, they just want something fast. It’s so much easier to order a takeaway pizza or pop a ready meal in the microwave than to chop fresh vegetables from scratch. Another thing is cost. In many supermarkets, fresh berries or lean fish cost way more than cheap instant noodles or biscuits. So, people naturally end up choosing the cheaper, less nutritious options just to get by.
Useful Spoken Phrases In This Answer
Should schools be allowed to sell sweets and fast food to children?
State your viewpoint clearly and share an everyday observation to back it up.
Graded Criteria:
[Bài tập luyện nói]
Spoken Sample Response
Honestly, I don’t think they should. Children aren’t really mature enough to make healthy choices yet, especially when they see colourful candy or crispy chips sitting right in front of them at the cafeteria counter. If those sugary snacks are readily available, kids will naturally spend their pocket money on them instead of buying a balanced lunch. I remember my own school canteen used to sell chocolate bars, and everyone skipped their main meal. Schools really need to set a good example and encourage better habits early on.
Useful Spoken Phrases In This Answer
Do you think cooking at home is always healthier than eating out?
Weigh up the two sides naturally without sounding like an essay.
Graded Criteria:
[Bài tập luyện nói]
Spoken Sample Response
Well, to be honest, not necessarily. In most cases, making meals at home is better because you have complete control over how much salt, butter, and oil you use. But it really boils down to what you choose to cook. If somebody just fries frozen sausages, chips, and nuggets in deep fat at home, that’s clearly not healthy at all. Um, I’ve got a friend who buys ready-made frozen pizzas every single evening. So, home cooking is only truly wholesome if you rely on fresh, unprocessed ingredients.
Useful Spoken Phrases In This Answer
How much should food labels tell shoppers about what is inside the food?
Suggest a practical solution for shoppers and describe why clarity matters.
Graded Criteria:
[Bài tập luyện nói]
Spoken Sample Response
I think food labels should be as clear and straightforward as possible. Right now, a lot of brands use tiny text and complicated chemical names that an ordinary shopper simply can’t understand. It’d be much better to have a simple colour-coded system on the front of the packet showing sugar, salt, and fat levels at a glance. For instance, when I pick up a cereal box, I want to know right away whether it’s packed with added sugar. People have a right to know what they’re putting into their bodies.
Useful Spoken Phrases In This Answer
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