At the chemist

At the chemist

Listen to a conversation at a chemist's to practise and improve your listening skills.

Do the preparation task first. Then listen to the audio and do the exercises.

Preparation

Transcript

Chemist: Hello, can I help?

Customer: Yes, my wife sent me here. I, erm, need something for a sore throat … and I can't stop coughing. It really hurts.

Chemist: Do you have a headache too?

Customer: Not really, no.

Chemist: Well, we have this syrup. And these lozenges.

Customer: Which is better? 

Chemist: They're both good. The syrup is more expensive.

Customer: Oh, well … I'll take the lozenges, then. How many do I take?

Chemist: Just one.

Customer: Sorry, I'm sorry. Er, how often should I take it?

Chemist: Just one every four to six hours. Take it before mealtimes. Are you allergic to any medicine?

Customer: No.

Chemist: Then you'll be fine with this.

Customer: Can I get some antibiotics too?

Chemist: I'm afraid you need a prescription for that.

Customer: Ah.

Chemist: You know, you should really see a doctor if that cough continues.

Customer: Thanks. I know.

Chemist: Anything else?

Customer: No, thanks.

Chemist: That'll be £7.49 then, please.

Task 1

Task 2

Discussion

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Average: 4.1 (95 votes)

Submitted by OZalan on Fri, 20/02/2026 - 04:17

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How often do you get a cough or a cold? What do you recommend? I usually get cold once o twice a year, the most time of my life, but since a changed my diet, I have not get anymore. So I think people should get good food and avoid bad one.
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Submitted by Rodas12 on Mon, 16/02/2026 - 21:56

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How often do you get a cough or a cold? What do you recommend?

 

 I haven't had a cold since 2023, I remembered that to be sick was very terrible... I recomemded to rest and drink much water!

Submitted by Sinatra_Junior on Sun, 08/02/2026 - 14:41

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I haven't had a cough or a cold in recent years. But when I do get one, I drink a lot of water and try to rest and sleep. I can't work when I'm sick. When that happens, my ability to think is almost reduced to nothing. 

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Submitted by abukhater on Sat, 31/01/2026 - 12:10

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This usually happens at the beginning of autumn or during winter. If the symptoms are mis, I prefer using natural remedies rather than medicine. For example, drinking hot water can help: squeeze a whole lemon into hot water, let it sit for a few minutes, and then drink it. This can be soothing, and I hope you feel better soon, 

Submitted by Tseke on Sat, 24/01/2026 - 15:40

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I get colds once or twice a year. I would recommend nutritious food, good rest, and good medicine. 

Submitted by amir.masoud on Thu, 23/10/2025 - 18:42

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I usually cough in fall and spring but this seasons the weather change more and the weather got cold and hot. When I get cold I often don't go to the doctor, I drink more and rest

Submitted by Winnie0900 on Mon, 22/09/2025 - 20:09

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how often do you get a cough or a cold? What do you recommend?

I seldom get a cold which is a good thing. I guess I catch a cold 2-3 times every year.

I'd recommend, first of all, not trying to get antibiotics if you don't need them. I like to drink tea with honey and lemon, if I can't stand the pain, I take a pill to treat it. 

Also, it's pretty important to take some days off to rest at home. 

Submitted by Sadouki on Sun, 24/08/2025 - 12:56

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I had a lot of coughs in the fall, so I took natural remedies for this often.

Submitted by BryanMendezR. on Thu, 31/07/2025 - 15:54

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I always take a warm drinks because my mother told me "always it works and it is better to make it homemade" and I like it