English Speaking Exercises for B2 – Role-play

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

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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 ________.

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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

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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

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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 foot.

Examiner  Let me see. Where exactly does it hurt?

Candidate Right here at the top of 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 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.

      ________

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your own answers

6. Now do the task using your notes from exercise 5.

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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 ________.

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your own answers