Booking a doctor's visit: making simple requests

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90 min
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1

Think about these questions before listening. Share your ideas with a partner.

  1. What do you do when you feel sick?
  2. Who helps you when you are sick?
  3. What is a doctor's office or clinic like?
2

Making a Doctor's Appointment

Listen to the dialogue. Notice how the vocabulary and grammar from the lesson are used.

3

Listen to the dialogue and answer the questions.

01Why does Marco call the clinic?
Sample answerHe calls because he feels sick and wants to make an appointment to see a doctor.
02What is Marco's health problem?
Sample answerHe thinks he has a cold.
03When is Marco's appointment?
Sample answerHis appointment is tomorrow at 10 a.m.
04What does Marco need to bring to the clinic?
Sample answerHe needs to bring his health card.
4

Vocabulary

Vocabulary
These expressions will help you communicate more naturally about this topic.
Examples
make an appointment — to arrange a time to see a doctor.
This is a very common phrase. You can say: "I need to make an appointment with the doctor."
feel sick — to feel that you are not well.
You can use this for many different problems. For example: "I feel sick. I have a headache."
take medicine — to eat or drink something to help you feel better when you are sick.
We use the verb "take" with medicine, not "eat". For example: "Take this medicine two times a day."
get a prescription — to get a paper from the doctor for special medicine from a pharmacy.
After you see the doctor, you can take the prescription to the pharmacy to buy your medicine.
health card — a small card with your information that you show at a clinic or hospital.
The person at the front desk might ask for this. They can say: "Can I see your health card, please?"
5

Vocabulary for feeling sick

Learn these words to talk about your health.

Match each word on the left with the correct meaning on the right.

Drag or click to match
Definitions
6

Grammar: making requests with 'can'

Grammar
We use 'Can I...?' to ask for something in a polite way. It is very useful when you call a clinic to make a doctor's appointment.
Examples
Can I make an appointment for Tuesday?
Use 'Can I...?' + a verb (make, see, have) to ask for something.
I can come in the morning.
Use 'I can...' to say what is possible for you. This is a statement, not a question.
Can I see Dr. Evans, please?
Add 'please' at the end of your question to be extra polite.
Key points
  • Use 'Can I...?' to ask for things.
  • Use 'I can...' to say what is possible.
  • Remember the question mark (?) for questions.
7

Complete the sentences with words from the box. One word is extra.

Word bank
01I need to make an to see Dr. Smith on Tuesday.
02The will take your temperature before you see the doctor.
03I have a bad and my eyes hurt.
04The doctor gave me a for my cough.
05Please take this with water after you eat.
8

Choose the best answer for each question.

01You call a doctor's clinic. What is the first thing you say?
02The receptionist asks: 'What is the problem?' What is a good answer?
03You feel very sick and need to see a doctor today. What do you ask the receptionist?
04When you make a doctor's appointment, what information do you usually NOT give on the phone?
9

Discuss these questions with a partner. Try to use vocabulary from the lesson.

  1. In your country, do people usually go to a doctor or a pharmacy first when they feel sick? Why?
  2. When you feel a little sick, is it better to take medicine or to rest at home?
  3. What is one good thing and one bad thing about going to a doctor's clinic?