Advanced Vocabulary for IELTS 7.0 + : Medical and Health Issues (Part 4)

Understanding medical and health-related vocabulary is essential for IELTS candidates aiming for a band score of 7.0 or above. Such vocabulary frequently appears in IELTS Speaking and Reading, especially when discussing health, well-being, and healthcare systems. This lesson will guide you through exercises like Odd One Out and Fifty : Fifty, along with practice sentences to strengthen your vocabulary.

Why Learn Medical and Health Vocabulary for IELTS?

Medical and health issues are commonly discussed in IELTS Speaking Part 2 (cue cards about health or lifestyle) and IELTS Speaking Part 3 (questions on healthcare systems, fitness, or global health problems). Mastering this vocabulary:

• Improves clarity and precision in your answers.
• Helps you demonstrate a wide lexical range.
• Boosts your chances of scoring Band 7.0 or higher.

Odd One Out – Medical Vocabulary Practice

This section helps you identify terms that don’t belong in a group. It improves your understanding of word families and nuances in meaning.

Exercise: Identify the Odd One Out

Choose the word that does not fit with the rest:

1. aching / bleeding / throbbing / nagging
2. scalpel / probe / forceps / bandage
3. break / crack / fracture / wound
4. sling / splint / syringe / brace
5. stretcher / crutch / drip / wheelchair
6. blister / fever / rash / spot
7. coherent / responsive / conscious / comatose
8. vomit / perspiration / phlegm / pus
9. constipation / indigestion / meningitis / diarrhoea
10. contagious / congenital / hereditary / genetic
11. recuperating / terminal / lethal / fatal
12. coroner / donor / consultant / physician

Fill in the Gaps with Correct Vocabulary

Now, use one of the words above (from a–d options) to complete the following sentences:

1. The patient is ____________ profusely from a wound to the lower abdomen.
2. Using his trusty ____________, the dentist carefully extracted the tooth.
3. Although incredibly painful, it proved to be little more than a hairline ____________.
4. He needed to wear a ____________ to support his back.
5. Why they brought out the ____________ is beyond me; the striker was back on his feet soon.
6. Don’t even think about bursting that ____________ – disgusting!
7. By midnight, without coffee for hours, I was virtually ____________.
8. I became more alarmed when I started to cough up blood in my ____________.
9. Despite ____________ being little more than an inconvenience here, it kills many in poorer countries.
10. The area was sealed off until it was established the disease was not ____________.
11. The deceased had ingested a ____________ dose of painkillers.
12. You need to register as a ____________ if you want your organs available after death.

Fifty : Fifty – Choosing the Correct Word

This exercise tests your ability to distinguish between closely related medical terms.

Exercise: Choose the Right Word

Fill in the blanks with the correct option:

1. I think you are at the wrong desk; this is for overnight stays, but you are an ____________.
   (outpatient / inpatient)
2. I’ve had the problem on-and-off for 20 years, but it hasn’t been a(n) ____________ complaint until now.
   (chronic / acute)
3. The ____________ supports your arm until it’s set in plaster.
   (cast / sling)
4. The ____________, or ‘fits’ as my doctor terms them, are a symptom of a brain tumour.
   (spasms / seizures)
5. Please tell me the ____________ is good – I’m not ready to die.
   (prognosis / diagnosis)
6. The good news is it’s ____________; the bad news is it’s inoperable.
   (malign / benign)
7. My grandmother has senile ____________, so she barely resembles her younger self.
   (dementia / amnesia)

Answer Key for the Above Exercises

Odd One Out

1. b – bleeding
2. d – bandage
3. d – wound
4. c – syringe
5. c – drip
6. b – fever
7. d – comatose
8. b – perspiration
9. c – meningitis
10. a – contagious
11. a – recuperating
12. b – donor

Fill in the Gaps

1. bleeding
2. forceps
3. fracture
4. brace
5. stretcher
6. spot
7. comatose
8. phlegm
9. diarrhoea
10. contagious
11. lethal
12. donor

Fifty : Fifty

1. outpatient
2. chronic
3. sling
4. seizures
5. prognosis
6. benign
7. dementia

Overall, mastering medical and health vocabulary is not only useful for IELTS but also for real-life conversations and academic discussions. By practicing exercises like Odd One Out and Fifty : Fifty, you sharpen your ability to choose precise words and improve your fluency. Consistent exposure to such advanced vocabulary will help you demonstrate a wide lexical range, boosting your chances of achieving a Band 7.0 or higher in IELTS Speaking and Reading. For those aiming for top scores, following the IELTS Exam Preparation Tips for Band Score of 8+ can further enhance your vocabulary and overall test performance.

Also Check: 

• Using Collocation to Boost Your IELTS Score – KeyWord: Reaction
• Grammar For IELTS: Expressions Of Quantity
• Grammar For IELTS : The Common Grammars And Sentence Structures In English (Part 1
• Grammar For IELTS : The Common Grammars And Sentence Structures In English (Part 2)
• Using Contrast in IELTS Speaking & Writing: Advanced Grammar in IELTS
• 100+ Advanced Vocabulary Word List for IELTS (PDF Available)
• Especially vs Specially for IELTS Grammar: Lessons, Examples, Usage & Exercises