IELTS Speaking: Traditional Medicine and Health Myths
Traditional medicine and health myths
Answers and an explanation for each question appear once you add this activity to your own library.
Module 1: Building Blocks & Language Tools
Build your vocabulary, learn key speaking patterns, and test your knowledge of traditional health facts before practicing speaking.
How to use this lesson
👨🏫 For Teachers
Usage: Use this 30-minute lesson to guide students from foundational vocabulary building to structured speaking practice.
Assessment: Review answer choices together in class and evaluate speaking recordings using the target feedback criteria.
🎓 For Students
First Step: Complete the vocabulary review and collocation matching exercises to master unit key terms.
Next Step: Learn the sentence patterns and guess the WHO fun facts to prepare for the speaking tasks.
📖 Part 1: Vocabulary Review
Review key vocabulary terms related to traditional medicine and health claims. Select the word that best fits each definition.
1. A plant or plant part used for its flavor, scent, or therapeutic properties is called a ___.
2. A substance with no active medical effect given to a patient to test a drug's real effectiveness is a ___.
3. A qualified person who regularly works in a specific medical or healthcare field is a health ___.
4. Traditional beliefs, customs, and stories of a community passed down through generations are known as ___.
5. A concentrated active substance obtained from a plant or natural source is an ___.
🔗 Part 2: Common Collocations
Match each useful collocation with its correct definition.
Select the correct definition:
Select the correct definition:
Select the correct definition:
Select the correct definition:
Select the correct definition:
Select the correct definition:
🗣️ Part 3: Sentence Patterns for IELTS Speaking
Use these 4 sentence structures to express general beliefs, common claims, and distance yourself from unverified statements in Speaking Parts 2 & 3.
... is said to ...
"Garlic is said to protect people from colds, but the evidence is weak."
Why this works: Great for introducing a common belief without saying whether you personally agree with it.
It is believed that ...
"It is believed that drinking warm honey lemon tea can soothe a sore throat quickly."
Why this works: Gives your answer a formal, high-level structure when describing general health practices.
Many people assume that ...
"Many people assume that natural treatments have no side effects whatsoever."
Why this works: Useful when pointing out a popular assumption before giving your own contrasting opinion.
There is a common misconception that ...
"There is a common misconception that eating spicy food causes stomach ulcers."
Why this works: Shows sophisticated vocabulary in Part 3 when discussing health myths and internet rumors.
📊 Part 4: WHO Fun Facts (Guess the Number)
Test your knowledge of global health data reported by the World Health Organization (WHO).
How many of WHO's 194 member states reported using traditional medicine according to WHO (2022)?
How many global malaria cases does WHO estimate occurred in the world in 2024?
Module 2: Individual Long Turn (Part 2)
Take one minute to prepare your ideas from the task card below, then record your spoken answer for up to two minutes.
IELTS Speaking Part 2 Task Card
Describe a traditional remedy or home treatment that someone in your family uses.
You should say:
- what it is
- when your family uses it
- how it is made or taken
- and explain whether you think it works.
Record your answer below:
[Bài tập luyện nói]
Well, to be honest, a traditional remedy that my family has been using for years is a simple warm honey and ginger drink. Whenever someone in our house catches a cold or gets a tickly cough, especially during the winter, my grandmother immediately prepares it for us.
To make it, she slices a small piece of fresh ginger root, boils it in water for about ten minutes, and then stirs in a big spoonful of natural honey. It is super easy to prepare, and we usually drink it warm twice a day.
As for whether I think it works, it does the trick for soothing a sore throat almost right away. I mean, it doesn't cure a bad virus overnight, but it definitely makes you feel much more comfortable. Personally, I've always felt that it comes in handy because it's completely natural and avoids unnecessary medication. All in all, I'd say it is a staple in our home whenever cold season rolls around.
Useful Phrases:
- • it does the trick: works effectively for a specific problem
- • it comes in handy: is useful or convenient to have
- • it is a staple: a main or regular item used constantly
Module 3: Two-Way Discussion (Part 3)
Answer broader, abstract questions about traditional medicine and online health claims. Record your voice and compare with the model answer.
Why do some people trust traditional remedies more than modern medicine?
Record your response:
[Bài tập luyện nói]
Well, to be honest, I think a lot of people feel that natural options are safer. Modern medicine can feel a bit cold or technical, and people worry about side effects from chemical drugs. Plus, many traditional cures have been passed down through families for generations, so there's a strong emotional trust there. People naturally stick with what they know, especially if their parents used it. Also, some folks just have a hunch that natural herbs are gentler on the body. So, it boils down to trust and personal comfort.
Useful Phrases:
- • stick with what they know: continue using familiar things
- • have a hunch: have an intuitive feeling or belief
- • it boils down to: the main or basic reason is
Should doctors be allowed to recommend traditional treatments?
Record your response:
[Bài tập luyện nói]
I'd say yes, but only if there's real scientific evidence behind them. I mean, if a herbal tea or simple remedy actually helps relieve symptoms without harm, why not? However, doctors should always err on the side of caution because patient safety comes first. They shouldn't replace proven medical care with unverified claims. But if a natural option works alongside standard treatment, it can really give patients peace of mind. So yeah, I think doctors can suggest them, as long as they keep a close eye on the evidence.
Useful Phrases:
- • err on the side of caution: choose the safer option when facing uncertainty
- • give patients peace of mind: make people feel calm and reassured
- • keep a close eye on: pay careful attention to or monitor
How can a person check whether a health claim is true?
Record your response:
[Bài tập luyện nói]
Well, the best way is to look for reliable sources instead of just believing posts on social media. People should check official health websites or consult a qualified doctor before trying anything new. It's really easy to take things with a grain of salt when you read crazy headlines online. You've got to look for actual scientific studies rather than personal stories. Basically, it pays to do your homework and double-check facts so you don't fall for fake health advice.
Useful Phrases:
- • take things with a grain of salt: view information with healthy skepticism
- • do your homework: research and investigate carefully
- • fall for: be tricked or misled by something untrue
Do you think the internet makes health myths spread faster?
Record your response:
[Bài tập luyện nói]
Oh, absolutely. Information moves at lightning speed nowadays, and catchy headlines spread like wildfire on social media. People often share dramatic posts about miracle cures without checking if they're actually true. And honestly, algorithms tend to push shocking stories because they get more clicks. So before anyone realizes it, a simple myth can take on a life of its own. It's pretty scary how quickly false information can take root online, especially when people are looking for quick health fixes.
Useful Phrases:
- • spread like wildfire: circulate or cover a wide area extremely quickly
- • take on a life of its own: become large or independent beyond initial control
- • take root: become firmly established or widely believed
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