Listening Exercises A1 - Health - English Practice Online

Health problems

1. Listen and complete these three conversations.

a

What’s the …………………….?

I don’t ……………………. very well. I’ve got a bad …………………….

Oh, dear. I’m ……………………. to hear that.

b

……………………. wrong?

My back …………………….

……………………. you!

c

Are you ……………………. OK?

Not really. I think I’ve got a …………………….

I hope you feel ……………………. soon.

Answer

a

matter

feel … cough

sorry

b

What’s

aches

Ah, poor

c

feeling

cold

better

2. Listen and check. Then look at the conversations. Find three expressions to write in each column below.

asking about someone’s health

Explaining a health problem

Showing sympathy

Answer & Transcript

asking about someone’s health

Explaining a health problem

Showing sympathy

What’s the matter?

What’s wrong?

Are you feeling OK?

I’ve got a …

My … aches

Oh dear. I’m so sorry to hear that

Ah, poor you!

I hope you feel better soon.

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.

Making an appointment

1. Adli, from Saudi Arabia, and Fernando, from Brazil, are phoning to make a doctor’s appointment. Listen to each conversation and complete the information.

	Day	Time	Doctor
Adli ………………..	Thursday	………………..	………………..
Fernando ……….	………………..	………………..	Williams

Answer

Adli Zaid: Thursday, 10.30, Dr Brown

Fernando Silva: Wednesday, 3pm, Dr Williams

2. Can you remember how Fernando asks for an appointment? Complete the expression below.

………………………… an appointment, please.

Answer & Transcript

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.

At the doctor’s

Imagine you are at the doctor’s, and the doctor is giving you advice. Listen to three doctors and tick True or False.

		True	False
a	1 You’ve got a bad cold.	◻	◻
	2 You should take two tablets twice a day.	◻	◻
	3 You should drink lots of water.	◻	◻
b	1 The doctor is not sure why you have backache.	◻	◻
	2 You should put some cream on every morning.	◻	◻
	3 You should go back to the doctor’s in two weeks.	◻	◻
c	1 You’ve got the flu.	◻	◻
	2 You should stay in bed and rest.	◻	◻
	3 You shouldn’t work for three days.	◻	◻

Answer & Transcript

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.