Listening Exercises A1 – Health

a

matter

feel … cough

sorry

b

What’s

aches

Ah, poor

c

feeling

cold

better

Transcript

a   (A and B = American)

      A: What’s the matter?

      B: I don’t feel very well. I’ve got a bad cough.

      A: Oh, dear. I’m sorry to hear that.

b   (A and B = Australian)

      A: What’s wrong?

      B: My back aches.

      A: Ah, poor you!

c   A: Are you feeling OK?

     B: Not really. I think I’ve got a cold.

     A: I hope you feel better soon.

Adli Zaid: Thursday, 10.30, Dr Brown

Fernando Silva: Wednesday, 3pm, Dr Williams

I’d like to make an appointment, please.

Transcript

(Adli = Saudi Arabian; Fernando = Spanish)

Receptionist:      Hello.

Adli:       Oh, hello. I make an appointment please?*

Receptionist:      Yes, of course. When would you like?

Adli:       Thursday is OK. In the morning if possible.

Receptionist:      OK … You can see Doctor Brown at 10.30. Is that all right?

Adli:       Yes, that’s OK.

Receptionist:      And your name is …?

Adli:       Adli Zaid. That’s Z-A-I-D.

Receptionist:      Thank you. That’s fine.

Adli:       So that’s Doctor Brown on Thursday at 10.30.

Receptionist:      That’s right.

Adli:       OK. Thank you. Bye

Receptionist:      Hello

Fernando:            I’d like to make an appointment please.

Receptionist:      Certainly. Who’s your doctor?

Fernando:            Doctor Williams.

Receptionist:      OK … Er, Doctor Williams is busy all day today but Wednesday at 3pm is possible.

Fernando:            Great.

Receptionist:      And you are …?

Fernando:            Fernando Silva.

Receptionist:      That’s S-I-L-V-A?

Fernando:            Yes, that’s right.

Receptionist:      OK. Thank you. I’ve put you in.

Fernando:            So that’s Wednesday at 3pm, with Doctor Williams.

Receptionist:      Yes, that’s fine.

Fernando:            Thanks a lot. Bye.

*Did you notice?

Notice that Adli says I make an appointment, please? A native speaker would say Can I make an appointment, please? or I’d like to make an appointment, please.

a   1 F       2 F (you should take one tablet twice a day)      3 T

b   1 T      2 F (use it at night)      3 F (you should go again next week)

c   1 F (the doctor doesn’t think it’s the flu)      2 T      3 T

Transcript

a  

Hmm. OK, well I think you have a very bad sore throat. I’ll give you a prescription for some tablets. I want you to take two of these every day … that’s one in the morning and one at night. Oh, and drink lots of water as well. That will help.

b  

(The doctor = Indian)

Yes, well a problem like backache is always very hard to deal with … there are so many reasons why people get backache. However, it’s painful, so I’ll give you some cream. Use it at night before you sleep, and see me again next week.

c  

(The doctor = South African)

Well, the good news is that I don’t think it’s the flu, but you do have a bad cold and cough. You don’t need any medicine, just stay in bed and take it easy. Oh, and I wouldn’t recommend going to work for three days or so.