1. Match the illnesses and injuries with the treatments.
1 virus
2 chest infection
3 heartburn
4 sore throat
5 sprain
6 fracture
7 cut
8 bee sting
a antibiotics
b throat sweets / painkillers
c X-ray
d antacids
e antiseptic cream
f bandage / anti-inflammatories
g antihistamine
h rest and lots of liquids
Answer
1 h 2 a 3 d 4 b 5 f 6 c 7 e 8 g
Speaking Strategy
Do not get nervous if you’re unsure whether you’ve understood the question or what the other person has said. Simply ask the person for clarification.
2. Read the Speaking Strategy and complete the sentences with the phrases below.
could repeat that? like … ? mean by … ? quite catch that.
Same as … ? saying that again?
1 Sorry, do you think you …………………………………..
2 I’m afraid I didn’t …………………………………..
3 Would you mind …………………………………..
4 What do you …………………………………..
5 Is that something …………………………………..
6 Is that the …………………………………..
Answer
1 could repeat that? 2 quite catch that. 3 saying that again?
4 mean by … ? 5 like …? 6 same as …?
3. Listen to a student doing the task below. Which two sentences from exercise 2 did the student use?
While on holiday in the UK, you go and see the doctor because you have hurt your ankle. Have a conversation with him/her and discuss the following points:
– the injury
– how you did it
– X-ray and treatment
– a follow-up visit
Answer
4, 2
Transcript
See exercise 3.
4. Listen again. Make notes on the following topics.
The injury
……………………………………………
……………………………………………
How the person did it
……………………………………………
……………………………………………
Treatment
……………………………………………
……………………………………………
Follow-up visit
……………………………………………
……………………………………………
What the student needed clarification on
……………………………………………
……………………………………………
While on holiday in the UK, you suffer from a bad, itchy rash and go and see the doctor. Have a conversation with him/her and discuss the following points:
– when it appeared
– the possible causes
– treatment
– a follow-up visit
Answer
The injury foot hurts at the top of the foot, it is swollen and bruised
How the person did it dropped a box on the foot
Treatment keeping foot up, bandaging it, putting ice on it, take some anti-inflammatories
Follow-up visit in a week’s time
What the student needed clarification on the meaning of ‘fractured’; what to put on his foot to keep the swelling down
Transcript
Examiner What seems to be the matter?
Candidate Well, I’ve hurt my foot.
Examiner Let me see. Where exactly does it hurt?
Candidate Right here at the top of my toe.
Examiner Can you stand and put weight on it?
Candidate Not very well. It’s quite painful.
Examiner How did this happen?
Candidate I was helping to carry heavy boxes to the garage and I dropped one on my foot.
Examiner Oh dear. Well, it’s very swollen and bruised. I think I’m going to send you for an X-ray, just to check that nothing is fractured.
Candidate What do you mean by fractured?
Examiner Broken. There are many small bones in the foot. They can be quite easy to break.
Candidate Oh, I see.
Examiner It’s important to keep your weight off the foot in the meantime. Keep your foot up, preferably higher than your body.
Candidate What about a bandage?
Examiner Tight bandages are a good idea. The nurse will show you what to do. Also, put ice on it at regular intervals.
Candidate I’m afraid I didn’t quite catch all of that.
Examiner You need to put ice, something cold, over the bruising on your foot. It will help the swelling to go down.
Candidate Oh, I see.
Examiner I’ll just request an appointment for an X-ray. The nurse will take you.
Candidate Thank you.
Examiner And if the X-ray is fine, you need to come back in a week’s time. Meanwhile, I’ll give you a prescription for some anti-inflammatories.
Candidate And how often do I take them?
Examiner Once every four hours for the next three days.
Candidate Thank you, doctor.
5. Read the task. Prepare notes in answer to what the doctor will say. Ask for clarification on one of the questions. Try to give extra detail in your answers.
1 What seems to be the matter?
……………………………………………
……………………………………………
2 When did the rash appear?
……………………………………………
……………………………………………
3 What do you think might have caused it?
……………………………………………
……………………………………………
4 Do you have any allergies?
……………………………………………
……………………………………………
5 Well, I’m not sure. I’m going to write you a prescription for some antihistamine tablets and cream.
……………………………………………
6 If it’s still bothering you, or if you feel poorly, come back in a few days.
……………………………………………
Answer
your own answers
6. Now do the task using your notes from exercise 5.
Answer
your own answers
Extra exercises
Strategy
Try to use varied and advanced language where possible when describing a photo, e.g. modal verbs in present (they can’t be on a diet, he might be learning) and in the past (she must have left), continuous infinitives (they seem to be working). This will help you gain more points for variety.
1. Read the Strategy. Then rewrite the sentences.
1 It’s possible the man is the boy’s grandfather.
The man may ……………………………………..
2 I’m pretty sure they’ve just been shopping.
They must ……………………………………..
3 I think they’re having a good time.
They appear to ……………………………………..
Answer
your own answers
2. Look at the two photos below that show different people preparing food. Compare the photos using the points below.
– who is preparing the food
– what food is being prepared
– where it is being prepared
– who is probably going to eat it.
Related Posts
- English Speaking Exercises for B2 – Role-play
- English Speaking Exercises for B2 – Photo comparison
- English Speaking Exercises for B2 – Collaborative task
- English Speaking Exercises for B2 – Presentation
- English Speaking Exercises for B2 – Photo description and comparison
- English Speaking Exercises for B2 – Interview and stimulus-based discussion