TRANSCRIPT
1. INTRODUCTION TO THE EPISODE
Host Brian: Welcome to English on the Go, where we believe in learning everywhere and speaking everywhere! I'm your host Brian, and today we're talking about something we all experience - being sick.
Host Brian: Whether you have a cold, the flu, or just feeling under the weather, this episode will help you learn useful English phrases for talking about illness and health.
Host Brian: Perfect for beginners who want to explain their symptoms or understand what to do when they're not feeling well!
Host Brian: Being sick is never fun, but knowing how to talk about it in English is important. Today, we'll hear from Lisa, a family doctor, and Tom, who recently recovered from the flu.
Host Brian: They'll share simple tips and common expressions used when talking about illness and recovery.
2. PRE-LISTENING QUESTIONS
Host Brian: : Before we start, think about these simple questions:
Host Brian: What do you usually do when you're sick?
Host Brian: Who do you call first when you don't feel well?
Host Brian: What medicines do you keep at home?
Host Brian: Take a moment to think about these questions - they'll help you understand our conversation better.
3. MAIN CONVERSATION
Host Brian: Brian: Let's join Lisa and Tom as they discuss what to do when sick. Lisa has been a family doctor for 10 years, and Tom just got better after having the flu.
Tom: Hi Dr. Lisa. I'm so glad I'm feeling better now. Last week, I was really feeling under the weather.
Lisa: Yes, I remember when you came in. You were as white as a sheet!
Tom: I felt terrible! It started when I woke up on the wrong side of the bed last Monday. I had a headache and my throat was killing me.
Lisa: That's usually how the flu starts. What did you do first?
Tom: Well, I tried to tough it out and went to work anyway. Big mistake!
Lisa: Oh no! That's not good. What happened?
Tom: By lunchtime, I was dead on my feet. My boss took one look at me and said I should hit the hay.
Lisa: She was right! When you're sick, you need to take it easy. What did you do next?
Tom: I finally called it quits and went home. Then I remembered what my mom always says - "Feed a cold, starve a fever!"
Lisa: laughs That's an old saying! But really, what's most important is to drink plenty of fluids and get rest when you're under the weather.
Tom: Yeah, I learned my lesson. I spent three days in bed, drinking hot tea and soup. My neighbor was nice enough to lend me a hand with getting groceries.
Lisa: That's great! It's important to have people watch your back when you're sick. Did you take any medicine?
Tom: Yes, I took the medicine you prescribed and some vitamin C. After a few days, I started to feel like myself again.
Lisa: Good! Next time, don't wait so long to see a doctor. It's better to nip it in the bud.
Tom: You're right. Now I know what to do if I come down with something again.
Lisa: Just remember these basic steps: rest, fluids, and medicine if needed. And always listen to your body!
Tom: Thanks, Dr. Lisa. I'll try not to push myself too hard next time I'm sick.
4. VOCABULARY ANALYSIS
Host Brian: Let's look at some important expressions we heard in that conversation:
Feel under the weather - feel sick or unwell . For example: I'm feeling under the weather today - I might have a cold.
As white as a sheet - very pale . For example: When Tom came to the clinic, he was as white as a sheet.
Killing me - causing a lot of pain . For example: My throat is killing me!.
Tough it out - try to continue despite difficulty . For example: Don't tough it out when you're sick - get some rest!.
Dead on my feet - extremely tired . For example: After working while sick, he was dead on his feet.
Hit the hay - go to bed . For example: I'm not feeling well, so I'm going to hit the hay early.
Take it easy - rest and avoid stress . For example: When you're sick, you need to take it easy.
Call it quits - stop doing something . For example: He felt so sick that he called it quits and went home.
Lend a hand - help someone . For example: My neighbor lent a hand by bringing me medicine.
Feel like myself - return to normal health . For example: After a week of rest, I started to feel like myself again.
5. QUIZ
Host Brian: Time for a quick quiz! Remember, I'll share the answers at the end of the episode.
What was Tom's first mistake when he got sick?
a) He didn't take medicine b) He went to work c) He didn't drink waterWhat did Tom's boss tell him to do?
a) Take medicine b) Go home and rest c) See a doctorWhat helped Tom feel better?
a) Working through it b) Rest and fluids c) Exercise
6. POST-LISTENING QUESTIONS
Host Brian: Think about these questions:
What do you usually do differently from Tom when you're sick?
Which new English phrases from today would be useful for you?
What advice would you give to someone who's sick?
Hint: Think about both good and bad habits when you're sick!
7. CONCLUSION
Host Brian: Now, let's reveal those quiz answers:
b) He went to work
b) Go home and rest
b) Rest and fluids
Host Brian: Don't forget to download your free PDF vocabulary list from our website! It includes all of today's health-related expressions, plus bonus examples.
Host Brian: Remember, taking care of your health is important in any language! Keep learning, keep practicing, and remember - learn everywhere, speak everywhere!
VOCABULARY SUMMARY
EXERCISE
EXERCISE 1: Fill in the Blanks
Instruction: Listen to the conversation and fill in the blanks with the appropriate words
Brian: Let's join Lisa and Tom as they (1)_______ what to do when sick. Lisa has (2)_______ a family doctor for 10 years, and (3)_______ just got better after having the flu.
Tom: Hi Dr. Lisa. I'm so glad I'm (4)_______ better now. Last week, I was really (5)_______ under the weather.
Lisa: Yes, I remember when you came (6)_______. You were as white as a sheet!
Tom: I felt terrible! It started when I (7)_______ up on the wrong side of the (8)_______ last Monday. I had a headache and (9)_______ throat was killing me.
Lisa: That's usually how the flu starts. What (10)_______ you do first?
Tom: Well, I tried to tough it (11)_______ and went to work anyway. Big mistake!
Lisa: Oh no! That's not good. What (12)_______?
Tom: By lunchtime, I was dead on my (13)_______. My boss took one look at me (14)_______ said I should hit the hay.
Lisa: She was right! When you're sick, you (15)_______ to take it easy. What did you (16)_______ next?
Tom: I finally called it quits and went (17)_______. Then I remembered what my mom always (18)_______ - "Feed a cold, starve a fever!"
Lisa: laughs That's an old saying! But really, what's (19)_______ important is to drink plenty of fluids (20)_______ get rest when you're under the weather.
Tom: Yeah, I learned my lesson. I spent (21)_______ days in bed, drinking hot tea and (22)_______. My neighbor was nice enough to lend (23)_______ a hand with getting groceries.
Lisa: That's great! It's important to have people watch (24)_______ back when you're sick. Did you take (25)_______ medicine?
Tom: Yes, I took the medicine you prescribed (26)_______ some vitamin C. After a few days, (27)_______ started to feel like myself again.
Lisa: Good! Next time, don't wait so long to (28)_______ a doctor. It's better to nip it (29)_______ the bud.
Tom: You're right. Now I know what to (30)_______ if I come down with something again.
Lisa: Just remember these basic steps: rest, fluids, and (31)_______ if needed. And always listen to your (32)_______!
Tom: Thanks, Dr. Lisa. I'll try not to (33)_______
1 . discuss
2 . been
3 . Tom
4 . feeling
5 . feeling
6 . in
7 . woke
8 . bed
9 . my
10 . did
11 . out
12 . happened
13 . feet
14 . and
15 . need
16 . do
17 . home
18 . says
19 . most
20 . and
21 . three
22 . soup
23 . me
24 . your
25 . any
26 . and
27 . I
28 . see
29 . in
30 . do
31 . medicine
32 . body
33 . push
EXERCISE 2: True, False, Not Given
Instruction: Read each statement carefully and mark it as True, False, or Not Given based on the conversation.
Tom felt fine until lunchtime when he realized he was sick.
Lisa believes "Feed a cold, starve a fever" is a scientifically proven saying.
Tom’s neighbor helped him by bringing groceries.
Lisa recommended resting, drinking fluids, and listening to your body.
Tom’s boss advised him to go see a doctor immediately.
1. False .
2. False .
3. True .
4. True .
5. Not Given .
EXERCISE 3: Multiple Choice Questions
Instruction: Choose the correct answer for each question based on the information from the conversation.
What was the first symptom Tom experienced?
A. Stomachache
B. Sore throat and headache
C. Runny nose
D. FeverWhat did Tom initially do when he felt sick?
A. He stayed in bed.
B. He went to work.
C. He called a doctor.
D. He took medicine immediately.What advice does Lisa give about handling illness?
A. Ignore your symptoms and continue your routine.
B. Rest, drink fluids, and take medicine if needed.
C. Take vitamins and exercise.
D. Always call the doctor first.Who helped Tom while he was recovering?
A. His boss
B. His neighbor
C. His mom
D. LisaWhat lesson did Tom learn after being sick?
A. It’s okay to push through when feeling ill.
B. Listen to your body and don’t delay getting help.
C. Taking vitamins cures all illnesses.
D. Work is more important than health.
1. B .
2. B .
3. B .
4. B .
5. B .
EXERCISE 4: Matching Information
Instruction: Match each phrase to the correct point made by the speakers (Maria or David) in the conversation.
1 . A. Tom
2 . B. Lisa
3 . A. Tom
4 . B. Lisa
5 . A. Tom
EXERCISE 5: Sentence Rearrangement
Instruction: Rearrange the jumbled sentences to form coherent statements related to the conversation.
my / a / sheet / you / as / white / were.
under / the / was / weather / week / feeling / last / I.
need / take / to / you / easy / sick / are / you / when.
cold / my / mom / says / starve / a / fever / always / feed / a.
the / next / nip / bud / better / in / doctor / it’s / to / the.
1 . You were as white as a sheet.
2 . Last week, I was feeling under the weather.
3 . You need to take it easy when you are sick.
4 . My mom always says, "Feed a cold, starve a fever."
5 . It’s better to nip it in the bud next time.
EXERCISE 6: Choose the Correct Word
Instruction: Fill in the blanks with the correct word from the options provided.
Tom felt ___ (better/terrible) when he was under the weather.
Lisa said it’s important to ___ (listen/ignore) your body when you’re sick.
Tom’s boss told him to ___ (stay/go) home because he looked unwell.
Drinking plenty of ___ (soda/fluids) is essential when you’re ill.
Lisa advised Tom to see a ___ (doctor/friend) earlier next time.
1 . terrible
2 . listen
3 . go
4 . fluids
5 . doctor
EXERCISE 7: Sentence Reordering
Instruction: Put the sentences in the correct order to recreate a summary of the conversation.
Sentences to reorder:
Lisa told Tom to take it easy and rest when he’s sick.
Tom learned his lesson and spent three days in bed drinking hot tea.
Tom tried to work despite feeling sick and was sent home by his boss.
Lisa emphasized the importance of rest, fluids, and listening to your body.
Tom felt better after following Lisa’s advice and taking prescribed medicine.
. 3 → 1 → 2 → 4 → 5
EXERCISE 8: Word Match
Instruction: Match each term from the conversation with its correct definition by pairing the letters with the numbers.
B. As white as a sheet 12- Very pale .
C. Killing me 02- Causing great pain .
D. Tough it out 14- Endure a difficulty .
E. Dead on my feet 01- Extremely tired .
F. Hit the hay 07- Go to bed .
G. Take it easy 10- Rest and avoid stress .
H. Call it quits 03- Stop doing something .
I. Lend a hand 08- Help someone .
J. Feel like myself 13- Return to normal .
K. Come down with 15- Become sick .
L. Listen to your body 04- Pay attention to health signals .
M. Push yourself 11- Force yourself to do something .
N. Nip it in the bud 06- Stop something early .
O. Watch your back 09- Look out for someone .
