GM6: Health, Illness and Wellbeing
Parts of the body, illnesses, at the doctor/pharmacy; health advice; modal verbs
🥗 Health, Illness and Wellbeing
Parts of the body, illnesses, at the doctor/pharmacy; health advice; modal verbs
Key Fact: This topic covers key vocabulary and structures for health, illness and wellbeing. You need to know topic vocabulary, use it in all four skills, and express opinions with reasons.
📋 Key Vocabulary and Structures
- Topic-specific vocabulary (nouns, verbs, adjectives)
- Key grammar structures for this topic area
- How to express and justify opinions (ich finde... weil...)
- How to describe past, present and future related to this topic
- Cultural knowledge about German-speaking countries (DACH)
❓ Practice Questions
Q1: Write 4 sentences in German about health, illness and wellbeing.
Q2: Write a paragraph (40-60 words) giving your opinion on health, illness and wellbeing.
Q3: Translate into German: "I think health, illness and wellbeing is important because..."
✅ Answers
- Four sentences using topic vocabulary with correct case endings, verb position and adjective endings. Include at least two different tenses for Higher tier.
- A structured paragraph: Meiner Meinung nach... (in my opinion), ich finde... weil... (I think... because...), aber/allerdings... (however), zusammenfassend... (in summary). Use connecting words and varied vocabulary.
- "Ich finde, dass health, illness and wellbeing wichtig ist, weil..." — ensure correct word order (verb at end after dass), correct case endings, and give a specific reason.
🎯 Exam Tips
- Use a range of tenses (present, past, future) to access higher marks
- Include opinions with reasons (ich finde... weil... / meiner Meinung nach...)
- Check case endings (nominative, accusative, dative) before finishing
- Get word order right: verb-second in main clauses, verb-at-end after dass/weil/wenn
- Use complex structures: subordinate clauses, modal verbs, separable verbs
- Include cultural references to German-speaking countries (DACH)
📝 Exam Technique
German Exam Tips — Health, Illness and Wellbeing:
1. For Health, Illness and Wellbeing, use a range of vocabulary and complex grammatical structures to access higher marks
2. Check verb tenses, agreements and word order carefully in your written work
3. In translation tasks, translate meaning rather than word-for-word
4. When writing about Health, Illness and Wellbeing, include opinions and justifications, not just descriptions
5. For listening and reading, focus on key words and cognates to extract meaning
1. For Health, Illness and Wellbeing, use a range of vocabulary and complex grammatical structures to access higher marks
2. Check verb tenses, agreements and word order carefully in your written work
3. In translation tasks, translate meaning rather than word-for-word
4. When writing about Health, Illness and Wellbeing, include opinions and justifications, not just descriptions
5. For listening and reading, focus on key words and cognates to extract meaning
⚠️ Common Errors
Watch Out!
Students often confuse gern/lieber/am liebsten. Wrong: Ich spiele gern Fußball = I like playing football. Ich spiele lieber Fußball = I prefer football. Ich spiele am liebsten Fußball = I like playing football the most. Correct: gern = gladly/like; lieber = prefer; am liebsten = most preferably. They go AFTER the verb, not before.
✍️ Model Answer
Full-Mark Response
Writing task: Write about parts of the body, illnesses, at the doctor/pharmacy; health advice; modal verbs.
A grade 9 answer will: use at least three tenses accurately; include complex structures (subordinate clauses, modal verbs, separable verbs); show precise grammar (cases, word order, adjective endings); express and justify opinions; include cultural knowledge about DACH countries; use a wide range of vocabulary; be well-organised with connecting words (außerdem, jedoch, trotzdem, zusammenfassend).
Mark scheme: Content (relevance and detail) + Quality of language (accuracy and range) = total marks
📊 AO Deep Dive
Assessment Objective Focus: Health, Illness and Wellbeing
AO1 — Knowledge: Show understanding of Health, Illness and Wellbeing by demonstrating accurate vocabulary and grammatical structures in the target language.
AO2 — Application: Apply your knowledge of Health, Illness and Wellbeing to understand and produce language in listening, reading, speaking and writing contexts.
AO3 — Analysis & Evaluation: Analyse and evaluate linguistic features related to Health, Illness and Wellbeing, demonstrating critical awareness of meaning, context and cultural references.
Detailed Notes
Describing Illness and Symptoms
At GCSE level, you must be able to describe illness and symptoms accurately. Key vocabulary includes: der Kopf (head), der Bauch (stomach), der Hals (throat), die Nase (nose), das Auge (eye), das Bein (leg), der Arm (arm). Common illnesses: die Erkältung (cold), die Grippe (flu), Kopfschmerzen haben (to have a headache), Halsschmerzen haben (to have a sore throat), Fieber haben (to have a fever).
Use the construction Ich habe ...-schmerzen for pain: Ich habe Kopfschmerzen (I have a headache), Ich habe Bauchschmerzen (I have a stomachache), Ich habe Rückenschmerzen (I have backache). Alternatively, use mir tut weh: Mir tut der Kopf weh (My head hurts), Mir tut der Bauch weh (My stomach hurts). This uses the dative pronoun mir.
The German healthcare system is excellent and culturally significant. Germany has a statutory health insurance system (die gesetzliche Krankenversicherung) and many people also have private insurance. In Austria, the system is similar. Switzerland has a mandatory private insurance system (die Krankenkasse). In the exam, mentioning the Apotheke (pharmacy) versus the Drogerie (drugstore, which does not sell medicines in Germany) shows cultural knowledge.
Beispiel
Ich fühle mich nicht gut. Ich habe Kopfschmerzen und Halsschmerzen. Ich glaube, ich habe eine Erkältung. Ich muss zum Arzt gehen.
I do not feel well. I have a headache and a sore throat. I think I have a cold. I must go to the doctor.
At the Doctor's Surgery
The role-play card in the speaking exam often involves a visit to the doctor (beim Arzt). Key phrases you need: Ich fühle mich nicht wohl (I do not feel well), Ich habe seit drei Tagen Fieber (I have had a fever for three days), Können Sie mir ein Rezept geben? (Can you give me a prescription?), Ich muss im Bett bleiben (I must stay in bed).
The doctor may ask: Was fehlt Ihnen? (What is wrong with you?), Seit wann haben Sie diese Beschwerden? (Since when have you had these symptoms?), Haben Sie Allergien? (Do you have allergies?). To respond formally, use Sie forms. In Germany, you address the doctor as Herr Doktor or Frau Doktor — this title is very important in German culture.
In Germany, der Hausarzt (GP) is the first point of contact for health issues. Unlike in the UK, you can also go directly to a specialist (der Facharzt). The Apotheke (pharmacy) is the only place to buy medicines — unlike the UK, you cannot buy painkillers in a supermarket. In Switzerland, the Apotheke also sells some over-the-counter medicines that would require a prescription in Germany.
Beispiel
Herr Doktor, ich habe seit einer Woche starke Kopfschmerzen. Mir tut auch der Hals weh und ich habe Fieber. Können Sie mir etwas dagegen geben?
Doctor, I have had severe headaches for a week. My throat also hurts and I have a fever. Can you give me something for it?
Mental Health and Wellbeing
Mental health (die psychische Gesundheit) is increasingly discussed in German-speaking countries. Useful vocabulary includes: der Stress (stress), gestresst sein (to be stressed), die Angst (anxiety/fear), sich Sorgen machen (to worry), das Wohlbefinden (wellbeing), die Entspannung (relaxation). To discuss mental health: Ich bin gestresst wegen der Prüfungen (I am stressed because of the exams).
For Higher tier, use complex structures to discuss wellbeing: Es ist wichtig, dass man sich Zeit zum Entspannen nimmt (It is important that one takes time to relax). Ich versuche, jeden Tag zu meditieren (I try to meditate every day). Use sich entspannen (to relax) as a reflexive verb: Ich entspanne mich bei Musik (I relax with music).
In Germany, the Kur (spa treatment) is a cultural institution — health insurance can fund a stay at a Kurort (spa town) for stress-related conditions. Austria has a similar tradition with its Kurhotels. In Switzerland, the concept of Ausgleich (balance) between work and leisure is deeply valued.
Beispiel
Wegen der Prüfungen bin ich sehr gestresst. Ich mache mir Sorgen um meine Noten. Ich versuche, mich durch Sport und Musik zu entspannen.
Because of the exams I am very stressed. I worry about my grades. I try to relax through sport and music.
Key Vocabulary
| German | English | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| die Erkältung | cold (illness) | Ich habe eine schwere Erkältung. |
| die Grippe | flu | Die Grippe ist schlimmer als die Erkältung. |
| Kopfschmerzen haben | to have a headache | Ich habe furchtbare Kopfschmerzen. |
| Halsschmerzen haben | to have a sore throat | Mir tut der Hals weh. |
| Fieber haben | to have a fever | Sie hat hohes Fieber. |
| der Arzt / die Ärztin | doctor | Ich muss zum Arzt gehen. |
| die Apotheke | pharmacy | Ich hole die Medikamente aus der Apotheke. |
| das Rezept | prescription | Der Arzt hat mir ein Rezept gegeben. |
| krank / gesund | ill / healthy | Ich bin seit drei Tagen krank. |
| der Stress | stress | Der Stress in der Schule ist groß. |
| sich entspannen | to relax | Ich entspanne mich beim Lesen. |
| das Medikament | medicine | Ich muss dreimal täglich Medikamente nehmen. |
Additional Practice Questions
Q1: Du warst krank. Beschreibe deine Symptome und was du dagegen gemacht hast. (You were ill. Describe your symptoms and what you did about it.)
Q2: Übersetze ins Deutsche: I feel stressed because of the exams. I have headaches and I cannot sleep well. I should relax more and do sport.
Model Answers
- Letzte Woche war ich krank. Ich hatte starke Kopfschmerzen und Halsschmerzen. Ich hatte auch Fieber und ich habe mich sehr müde gefühlt. Ich bin zum Hausarzt gegangen und er hat mir ein Rezept für Medikamente gegeben. Ich habe drei Tage im Bett bleiben müssen und viel Wasser getrunken. Jetzt geht es mir wieder gut.
(Last week I was ill. I had severe headaches and a sore throat. I also had a fever and felt very tired. I went to the GP and he gave me a prescription for medicine. I had to stay in bed for three days and drank a lot of water. Now I am well again.) - Ich fühle mich gestresst wegen der Prüfungen. Ich habe Kopfschmerzen und ich kann nicht gut schlafen. Ich sollte mich mehr entspannen und Sport treiben.
📝 Exam Questions by Topic
- AQA Past Papers - Topic Questions -- AQA
- Edexcel Past Papers - Topic Questions -- Edexcel
- Eduqas Past Papers - Topic Questions -- Eduqas
- CCEA Past Papers - Topic Questions -- CCEA
🎬 Video Resources
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