New here? This is lesson 107 of a free 240-lesson English course.
The doctor's questions in English
Ana is at Dr. Okafor's clinic across from the Blue Plate. Her ears still hurt from the loud L train.
The doctor asks about pain, from one to ten, and about allergies. Ana lists food, medicine, and even loud trains.
By the end, you'll give a pain number, name an allergy, say a medicine did not help, and ask about tests, a next visit, and if other people can catch this.
By the end of this lesson
Answer the doctor about pain, allergies, and what to do next.
- On a scale from 1 to 10, it's about ___.You give the pain a number from one to ten.
- I'm allergic to ___.This medicine or food makes you sick.
- I took medicine, but it didn't help.You already tried a drug and still feel bad.
- Do I need any tests?Ask if the doctor must check blood or scans.
- When should I come back?Ask the date of the next visit.
- Is it contagious?Can other people catch this from you?
Scene — across the street
The clinic sits across from the Blue Plate. Pale walls, a high exam couch, and a window onto Larch Street.
Ana sits with her teal tote. Dr. Okafor wears a white coat and a stethoscope. She has a clipboard and a kind, calm face.
The jukebox is not here. This visit is about pain, allergies, and what to do next.
Learn — pain, allergies, next steps
These six lines help you talk with a doctor. You will rate pain, name an allergy, and ask what happens next.
You'll also say a medicine did not help.
On a scale from 1 to 10, it's about ___.
You give the pain a number from one to ten.
When to use it: Say this when the doctor asks how bad the pain is.
Put a number in the blank, from one to ten.
Say it: 'It's' has one syllable; 'it is' has two.
I'm allergic to ___.
This medicine or food makes you sick.
When to use it: Use this to name a food or medicine that makes you sick.
Name the food or medicine in the blank.
Say it: The stress is on the second part.
I took medicine, but it didn't help.
You already tried a drug and still feel bad.
When to use it: Say this after you tried a drug and still feel bad.
This is past tense for a drug you already tried.
Say it: The n't sound is short and quiet.
Do I need any tests?
Ask if the doctor must check blood or scans.
When to use it: Ask this if you want blood work or a scan.
Tests here means blood work or scans.
When should I come back?
Ask the date of the next visit.
When to use it: Ask this to learn the day of your next visit.
Come back means return for another visit.
Is it contagious?
Can other people catch this from you?
When to use it: Ask this to learn if other people can catch it.
You will hear this when people worry about a cold.
Say it: The stress is on the second part.
Story — loud trains
Watch Ana with Dr. Okafor at the clinic. The doctor asks about pain and allergies.
Ana answers a little too fully, and Dr. Okafor shortens it kindly.
The highlighted words are the lines you just learned.
- Across the street from the diner, Ana sits on the exam couch.
Dr. OkaforHave a seat. How bad is the pain, from one to ten?She asks Ana to sit, then asks how bad the pain is.
AnaOn a scale from 1 to 10, it's about a six.You give the pain a number from one to ten.- Dr. Okafor writes a number on her clipboard.
- Dr. OkaforAny allergies to food or medicine?She asks if a food or a drug makes Ana sick.
- AnaI'm allergic to peanuts, penicillin, and loud trains.This medicine or food makes you sick.
- Dr. OkaforI'll write down that you're allergic to penicillin. Trains aren't an allergy.She notes the medicine and says trains are not an allergy.
- AnaI took medicine, but it didn't help.You already tried a drug and still feel bad.
- Dr. OkaforOkay. So that didn't work.She heard that the drug did not help.
- AnaCan I ask a question? Do I need any tests?She checks it is okay to ask, then asks about blood or scans.
- Dr. OkaforNo tests today. Rest should be enough.She does not need blood work or a scan this visit.
- AnaWhen should I come back?Ask the date of the next visit.
- Dr. OkaforNext week, if it still hurts.Return in seven days if the pain is still there.
- AnaIs it contagious?Can other people catch this from you?
- Dr. OkaforNo. You can't give this to anyone.Other people will not catch this from her.
Practice — the doctor's questions
Ten short exercises wait here. You'll listen, pick, match, fill a gap, and build a line.
They stay short, so the round moves fast.
0 of 10 done
What did you hear?
What did you hear?
Match the pairs
English
I took medicine, but it didn't help.Drop the Simple English hereDo I need any tests?Drop the Simple English hereWhen should I come back?Drop the Simple English hereIs it contagious?Drop the Simple English hereSimple English
What do you say?
What do you say?
The doctor asks if a food or medicine makes you sick.
What does it mean?
What does it mean?
Is it contagious?
Fill the gap
Fill the gap
Ask the date of the next visit.
____ should I come back?
Build the line
Build the line
You already tried a drug and still feel bad.
, .
Tap the words in order.
Pick the reply
Dr. Okafor says:
Pick the reply
I can check your blood or do a scan, or we can wait.
She can do blood work or a scan, or you can wait.
And you reply with:
Which one doesn’t belong?
Which one doesn’t belong?
True or false?
True or false?
This line asks the date of the next visit.
Pick the reply
Dr. Okafor says:
Pick the reply
I still have a minute. What is on your mind?
She has a little time, and she wants to hear you.
And you reply with:
Say it — tell the doctor
Now you're Ana in Dr. Okafor's exam room. When it's your turn, tap the microphone and speak the line.
Tap play first if you want to hear the line. Your recording stays on your device.
- Dr. OkaforHave a seat. How bad is the pain, from one to ten?She asks you to sit, then asks how bad the pain is.
- Ana (you)Tell her the pain number. Use six.
Tell her the pain number. Use six.
On a scale from 1 to 10, it's about ___.
You give the pain a number from one to ten.
0 of 6 said
Recap — what you can say now
| English | Simple English | Play |
|---|---|---|
| On a scale from 1 to 10, it's about ___. | You give the pain a number from one to ten. | |
| I'm allergic to ___. | This medicine or food makes you sick. | |
| I took medicine, but it didn't help. | You already tried a drug and still feel bad. | |
| Do I need any tests? | Ask if the doctor must check blood or scans. | |
| When should I come back? | Ask the date of the next visit. | |
| Is it contagious? | Can other people catch this from you? |
Save your progress — it’s free
Keep your place in the course and see which lines you’ve learned.
Want the next lesson in your inbox?
Get the next lesson by email, one a day.
Join the newsletterDaily lesson emails are coming soon. Newsletter subscribers get them first.
Keep practicing with Yak Cards
Want to keep these clinic lines handy? Grab the Yak Cards for this lesson and review them anywhere.
A quick round with the Yak Cards each day keeps your doctor visit lines ready.
Open Yak Cards