Lifestyle will be our topic in this article, and we will explore some related idioms and collocations. Students will also learn how to apply new vocabulary into practice through our sample questions and answers. Later, students are recommended to practice on the DET Practice Website to master everything and receive instantly detailed feedback for everyday transformation.
1. Get/keep/stay in shape (idiom)
Meaning: (of a person) (to get/stay) in good physical condition
Example: You don’t have to spend a fortune on gym membership to get in shape.
2. A (new) lease of life (idiom)
Meaning: The chance to live or last longer, or with a better quality of life
Example: Since her hip operation she’s had a new lease of life.
3. Go the extra mile (for somebody/ something) (idiom)
Meaning: To make a special effort to achieve something, help somebody, etc.
Example: He is willing to go the extra mile for his team to complete the project on time.
4. Kill two birds with one stone (idiom)
Meaning: To achieve two things at the same time with one action
Example: Doing this work will give me new knowledge and earn me a bit of money. It kills two birds with one stone.
5. On cloud nine (idiom)
Meaning: Extremely happy and excited
Example: My father was on cloud nine when my younger sister got approval to study at the medical institution.
6. Call it a night (idiom)
Meaning: To stop what you have been doing in the evening or night, often in order to go to bed
Example: Yesterday, I left the office early and wanted to call it a night because I was exhausted.
7. Laughter is the best medicine (idiom, used as a sentence)
Meaning: Said to mean that trying to be happy is a good way to stop worrying
Example: You know! People always say “Laughter is the best medicine”.
8. (Go) back to the drawing board (idiom)
Meaning: To start thinking about a new way of doing something after a previous plan or idea has failed
Example: The client just rejected our proposal, and we need to go back to the drawing board.
9. Live (from) hand to mouth (collocation)
Meaning: To spend all the money you earn on basic needs such as food without being able to save any money
Example: Since I started building my own company, I have been living from hand to mouth for years.
There are nine idioms for our study today, it’s time to put them into practice on the DET Practice Website.
Apply to real questions
Here is our first sample question: Read then Speak, Level 1, question number 39 on the DET Practice Website.
Describe a healthy lifestyle you know.
What it is
How do you know it
What one would do to live this healthy lifestyle
And explain why it is healthy
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Sample answer:
A healthy lifestyle, in essence, is about getting and staying in shape through balanced choices. It involves a combination of regular exercise, a nutritious diet, and mental well-being practices. From what I know, people who follow this lifestyle often have a new lease of life—they feel energized and vibrant, truly on cloud nine. To achieve this, one should go the extra mile by incorporating physical activity into their routine, eating whole foods, and ensuring ample rest. Additionally, making time for laughter and relaxation is crucial; after all, laughter is the best medicine. By balancing these elements, you can kill two birds with one stone—improve both physical health and mental resilience. Neglecting these practices might force someone to go back to the drawing board, struggling to break free from living from hand to mouth. Embracing this lifestyle leads to long-term well-being and happiness.
If you speak your answer to our DET Practice Website, you will receive the following detailed feedback including all the grading elements that the Duolingo English Test uses to assess your skills.
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Here is our second sample answer: Interactive Writing (the main question), Level 3, Question number 48 on the DET Practice Website.
Some people think it is more important for the government to spend public money on promoting healthy lifestyles to prevent illness than to spend it on treating people who are already ill. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
cre: TADE Hub
Sample answer:
From my point of view, I believe the government should prioritize spending public money on promoting healthy lifestyles to prevent illness, rather than focusing solely on treatment.
First of all, investing in preventive measures can help people get and stay in shape, which, in turn, improves overall public health. By promoting activities like regular exercise and balanced nutrition, individuals often experience a new lease of life, feeling on cloud nine with their improved well-being. This approach not only enhances quality of life but also can kill two birds with one stone by reducing future healthcare costs and boosting productivity.
Although treating existing illnesses is crucial, emphasizing prevention can help avoid the need to go back to the drawing board for chronic health issues.
In the long run, prevention might save money and improve lives more effectively than reactive treatment.
Similar to the first sample question, if you write your answer to the DET Practice Platform, you will also receive the following detailed feedback for improvement.
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Live-Interactive DET Practice Platform
The speaking passage above is an example of how these phrases and idioms get put into use. If students wish to achieve high DET scores, practising every day and trying to apply these phrases and idioms are truly vital.
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