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

Download
Worksheet79.23 KB

Language level

Average: 4.2 (71 votes)
Do you need to improve your English listening skills?
Join thousands of learners from around the world who are improving their English listening skills with our online courses.

Submitted by César Árraga on Sun, 05/04/2020 - 01:26

Permalink
To be honest I got a cold the last week due to change of seasons (summer to autumn). I went to chemist, next he gave me a pair of tablets and then I came back home immediately because of the lockdown on throughout the country.
Profile picture for user Nikolaos Stavrianakis

Submitted by Nikolaos Stavr… on Sun, 22/03/2020 - 10:17

Permalink
Hi!! I don't get a cold or a cough very often. Anyway, if I have a cough or if I get a cold I drink green tea and buy from the chemist a box of lozenges or a syrup. Sometimes it's possible to have a fiver and a really bad headache then I have to see a doctor. I can't get antibiotics without a prescription. Finally at this time because of the situation of coronavirus everybody with cough and fever or a sore throat may have to self-isolate, again to reduce the spread of the coronavirus and call a doctor. Nikolaos

Submitted by Crunch01 on Mon, 09/03/2020 - 11:53

Permalink
I live in Jura Mountain, and the snow is too cold. I am not often sick because it is very dry. If you wear hot clothes and you eat good foods to our region ( cheese, meal) you are never sick.

Submitted by shahhoseini on Wed, 26/02/2020 - 14:29

Permalink
I haven't suffered a cold this year but occasionally cough. Currently, traditional medicine has progressed in the universities of Iran, and when I sick, use some medicinal plants.
Profile picture for user Smiley1

Submitted by Smiley1 on Thu, 13/02/2020 - 14:00

Permalink
I usually get a cold every year. But strangely enough, I haven't got a cold yet since I take a sauna regularly.
Profile picture for user mehrazin

Submitted by mehrazin on Sun, 02/02/2020 - 17:25

Permalink
How often do you get a cough or a cold? What do you recommend? fortunately i have seldom got a cold or a cough, but iv got a cold 3 month ago. I recommend the consumption of the natural vitamin c , strongly. I myself drink the mix of orange and kiwi juice . 4 glasses a day when I feel getting a cold. one of the other useful prescription for you is eating the steamed pomegranate and the steamed turnip, never forget to consume lemon and garlic as the so helpful in order to treat in time , it makes you revive and you see how you are energetic again ,then the symptoms of disease disappeared .as possible as you can you should avoid to consume chemical medication and antibiotic . they just make your immune system weak.

Submitted by JuanVillegas on Sat, 25/01/2020 - 14:19

Permalink
In very rarely I have a cough or cold, usually I eat very well and take multivitamins, but in order to prevent this type of symptoms I drink a lot of orange juice.

Submitted by vidialzara on Wed, 22/01/2020 - 12:05

Permalink
I don't know why but I usually get a cough during an exam. It disturbing me and makes me can't concentrate. I usually drink warm water with lime juice, honey, and cinnamon powder in it. It pretty much helping me to relieve the cough.
Profile picture for user Dieudonné

Submitted by Dieudonné on Sat, 28/12/2019 - 10:42

Permalink
I have a gastric reflux since august 2018 and so far I still have a reflux in the morning. because of of the acidity it really hurts, particularly my throat and tongue. I am tired with taking medicines. I can confirm that I loose the taste.