Describe a Health Problem You Once Had - IELTS Cue Card

The IELTS Speaking Part 2, the cue card round, tests your ability to speak fluently for 1–2 minutes on a given topic. Many candidates find this section tricky due to the limited prep time and the need to organize thoughts quickly. To improve this skill, it’s essential to practice with real cue card questions, expand your vocabulary, and learn how to structure your responses effectively.

In this blog, we cover the topic “Describe a Health Problem You Once Had” – a commonly asked cue card question in IELTS Speaking Part 2. The blog includes a band 8+ sample answer, a list of useful IELTS Vocabulary (vocab), and tips to help you answer confidently and naturally in the actual test, to help you boost your overall IELTS band score.

Before you start, take a look at the useful idioms to answer IELTS Cue Cards!

Describe a Health Problem You Once Had - Sample Answer 1

Typhoid fever was one of the worst medical conditions I’ve ever experienced. I dealt with a severe fever a few months ago, followed by other symptoms and the health condition that struck me was caused by tainted food. Fortunately, now I am free of the illness.

I didn’t realize there was a problem until I got sick with a temperature and felt weak. My body was swollen in various places, and I had lost my appetite. The weariness and weakness just became worse. This occurred after I consumed a roll purchased from a street vendor. I normally avoid street food sellers, but I decided to give it a go because he was new to the neighborhood. The next day, I had a severe stomachache and a high fever. I believed I had food poisoning and attempted home treatments to get rid of it. However, it got increasingly harder to manage overtime, and the ache in my body became excruciating.

I went to the physicians, who told me that typhoid could not be readily healed and that I would have to be hospitalized to keep it under control. As a result, he prescribed certain medications and gave me some other helpful advice. I was hospitalized at the clinic for five days and had to continue taking the prescribed medicines for three months following discharge. I found it quite difficult to take medications for three months straight.

It had me worried that it would strike again. Then I visited a few physicians, who requested that I undergo some blood tests. Thanks to the Almighty, the health condition was now under control. The doctor encouraged me to keep taking the medications for another month because they take time to work on the body.

Describe a Health Problem You Once Had - Sample Answer 2

It is imperative for individuals to look after their health. Sickness creates tremendous discomfort, and when someone in the family gets affected, others also go through great anxiety. Here, I’d like to talk about my health problem. Although I’m as fit as a fiddle, I feel dehydrated and exhausted at times.  One day, during my regular jogging,  I fainted, which panicked everyone around the park. My father, who accompanied me, was shocked too.  Initially, he thought that I had fainted due to dehydration, but when he checked my pulse rate, it was less than 50 times a minute, which was a sign of a severe problem. So, he immediately rushed to a nearby hospital. The doctors examined me thoroughly and admitted me to the ICU. After a complete diagnosis, the doctor opined that it was Bradycardia. The doctor stated that my health issue was severe and advised me to get pacemaker surgery done. My family became worried about it. But the doctor assured me that it was best for my health. So, I underwent pacemaker surgery, and finally, after a day and a half of being under ventilators, I opened my eyes. My family and I were extremely grateful to God and the doctors for curing my health problem. At this point, I learnt that the human body is a fantastic thing, it does have the capacity to heal, but an individual needs to be patient to let it do so.

Describe a Health Problem You Once Had - Sample Answer 3

A health problem I once had was a severe case of gastritis that I experienced about two years ago. It was triggered by irregular eating habits, excessive caffeine intake, and high stress levels during my final semester at university.

The condition caused a range of uncomfortable symptoms. I had frequent stomach pain, bloating, nausea, and occasional vomiting. The most frustrating part was the constant burning sensation in my upper abdomen, especially after meals. It severely affected my concentration and productivity. I often had to skip lectures or leave midway because of the discomfort, and it even disturbed my sleep.

To manage it, I consulted a gastroenterologist who advised a combination of dietary changes, medication, and stress management. I completely cut down on spicy and oily food, limited coffee, and started eating smaller, more frequent meals. I also began practicing yoga and meditation to keep my stress in check. With time and consistency, my condition improved significantly over the next few months.

Looking back, I felt quite anxious and frustrated during that period. It was a wake-up call that made me realise the importance of a balanced lifestyle and mindful eating. In a way, it was a blessing in disguise because it pushed me to adopt healthier habits that I continue to follow even today.

Describe a Health Problem You Once Had - IELTS Vocabulary

Check out some IELTS Vocabulary to use while answering the cue card, "Describe a Health Problem You Once Had” with examples:

• Pacemaker
  • Meaning: a small device implanted in the human chest which helps maintain an average heart rate. 
  • Eg: Due to the unavailability of pacemakers in the rural hospital, many patients lose their life. 
• Fit as a fiddle
  • Meaning: In good physical condition 
  • Eg: Although Ram was paralysed during his childhood days, he’s now as fit as a fiddle to play the hockey match. 
• Dehydration 
  • Meaning: a harmful reduction in the amount of water in the body. 
  • Eg: Due to the scorching heat, the old man suffered from dehydration. 
• Capacity 
  • Meaning: the maximum amount that something can contain. 
  • Eg: The new car has a seating capacity of 4 people. 
• Exhaust
  • Meaning: very tired 
  • Eg:  I feel exhausted after a 5-hour journey. 
• Gastritis
  • Meaning: Inflammation of the stomach lining, often causing discomfort or pain.
  • Eg: My doctor diagnosed me with gastritis after I complained of frequent stomach aches and nausea.
• Bloating
  • Meaning: A condition where the stomach feels full or swollen, often due to gas.
  • Eg: After the heavy meal, I experienced severe bloating that made it hard to move around comfortably.
• Gastroenterologist
  • Meaning: A medical specialist who treats diseases related to the digestive system.
  • Eg: I had to visit a gastroenterologist when my digestive issues persisted for more than a month.
• Mindful eating
  • Meaning: The practice of being fully aware and attentive while eating, focusing on the taste and impact of food.
  • Eg: After adopting mindful eating, I was able to reduce my overeating habits and improve my digestion.
• Blessing in disguise
  • Meaning: Something that appears to be a problem at first but turns out to be beneficial.
  • Eg: Getting sick turned out to be a blessing in disguise, as it made me take my health more seriously.

In conclusion, the Describe a Health Problem You Once Had - IELTS Cue Card is a great opportunity to showcase storytelling, reflection, and descriptive vocabulary. Use the Band 9 sample answers and topic-specific words from this blog to speak confidently and boost your chances of achieving your desired IELTS Band Score.

Updated Cue Cards

Based on recent IELTS speaking topics, here is an updated list of cue cards to practice and prepare for the exam:

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