Unit6
II. Listening Skills
Listening to People Talk About Health
1.M: I haven’t been to see my doctor for a very long time. I’m worried that he’ll be angry???? with me for not having a physical examination for so long.
? W: Which is more important, the doctor’s feelings or your health? You’d better go if you want to make sure everything is all right with you.
It seems that the man worries more about the doctor’s feelings than his own health.
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2.W: Oh, I’ve got a cold. I’m not used to the cold weather, and it often gets the best of me.???? What I need now is some good medicine.
?M: The best medicine is to keep healthy. I promise you that if you get involved with some sort of physical exercise, you’ll get sick a lot less. Why don’t you try joining a gym?
The woman catches cold easily and believes in taking some good medicine, but the man thinks physical exercise is more important.
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3.W: Exams are coming up soon. I’ve been so busy with schoolwork that I’ve had a lot of??? trouble sleeping.
? M: School is important, but so is your health. Maybe you should talk to a doctor. Doctors see people all the time for this very problem. They can help you.
The woman has been so busy with schoolwork that she has had difficulty sleeping. The man believes that health is important that she should see a doctor.
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4. M: Do you mind if I have a cigarette before we eat?
? W: Well, actually, I do. If you don’t mind, could you smoke outside? If you want to poison your body and shorten your life, that’s your business. But as for me, I want to live long and healthy.
The woman asks the man to smoke outside because she wants to live long and healthy. She believes second-hand smoke causes cancer too.
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5. W: Robert, when we last talked, you promised there would be less television and junk food, and more exercise in your life. But now you’re becoming quite overweight.
? M: I know it’s bad, but I really like watching TV. After all we should enjoy ourselves while we are young.
? W: But you’re risking your health watching TV so much.
? M: Oh, yes: heart trouble, high blood pressure. But I’d rather die than give up TV.
??? The man once promised he would watch TV less, eat less junk food and have more exercise. But he believes it is more important to enjoy himself, although the woman says he’s risking his health watching TV so much.
III. Listening In
Task 1: Diets
If you’re a young lady in your twenties, you may be either on a diet or wondering which diet to follow. Indeed, people are so concerned with their appearance that the word “diet” has lost its original meaning. It now has the same meaning as “weight loss diet”. There was a time when women bound their waists to have a nice figure. Them came Twiggy, a British supermodel most famous in the 1960s, and since then everyone has wanted to look like a twig. Because of this trend, many diets have become popular. It is not uncommon to meet young girls who look weak enough to be blown away in the wind, yet they are still talking about diets! However, extreme diets can lead to health problems. Many such dieters may end up with very serious disorders. Princess Diana suffered from an excessively strong appetite; Karen Carpenter, a popular singer of the 1970s, died of the less of appetite. You should know that looking good is important but not when it comes at he risk of your health and life. Better eating habits and proper exercise are all you need to be fit and look good.
1.A?? 2.C?? 3.B?? 4.B?? 5.C
Task 2: Culture Shock
(D=Doctor; S=Student)
D: Hello, I’m Dr. Black. How’re you feeling?
S: I’m not feeling well, doctor.
D: What seems to be the problem?
S: I don’t know. I just feel tired all the time. I want to sleep all day. I’m not interested in studying or being with people.
D: How long had this been going on?
S: Almost one month now.
D: Are there any other symptoms?
S: I’m just tired.
D: Do you have many friends?
S: I don’t really have many here. I’m an international student.
D: I imagine that many things about your life here are different from your home.
S: Yeah, my life’s changed a lot. Foods, customs, socializing…even body language and gestures are all different from those in my own country.
D: How long have you lived here?
S: Almost three months now. It seems much linger; it’s a struggle for me to get used to the new way of life here.
D: Hmm. Well, let’s check you over. (a few minutes later) Well, I don’t see anything physically wrong with you. Your heart is strong. Lungs are clear. Your blood pressure is normal.
S: Then what do you think is wrong with me, doctor?
D: Your problem seems to be culture shock. Sometimes when people move to a new location, especially a new country, they experience culture shock. Sometimes this culture shock can be serious, and people become very depressed. I suggest that you try to spend some time each week with people from your own culture.
S: But my teachers tell me to speak English all the time.
D: I understand, but right now we need to deal with your symptoms. Follow my advice, and you’ll feel better.
S: How long does this last?
D: Culture shock lasts for a while and then begins to disappear. The length of time varies from person to person. If you aren’t feeling better in two or three weeks, please call me again.
?
1.?????? The student feels tired all the time, wants to sleep all day, and is not interested in studying or being with people.
2.?????? Many things in the student’s life have changed, such as foods, customs, socializing, and even body language and gestures.
3.?????? Because the student’s heart, and blood pressure are all normal.
4.?????? Sometimes when people move to a new location, especially a new country, they experience culture shock.
5.?????? The doctor suggests that the student try to spend some time each week with people from her own culture.
Task 3: The Flu
There’s nothing gradual about the flu: it hits you like a hammer. One minute you’re feeling fine, and the next you can be shivering, burning up, and then shivering again. In minutes, your legs become weak and your body aches in places that have never hurt before. Influenza can break out so suddenly that people can sometimes say, “It hit me at exactly 9 last night.” But whether the flu strikes at night or on the bus to school, there’s just one thing a victim wants to do: lie down in bed. A healthy person can fight off the flu in three to five days, though a cough and tired feeling can last two more weeks. But often an attack of the flu is followed by another illness. Doctors recommend that old people, or people of nay age with heart or lung problems, get a flu vaccine every year. Because flu viruses change all the time, a new vaccine must be prepared each year to protect against future attacks.
The flu is such an infections illness that it can hit you any time and anywhere. One minute you can be feeling fine, and the next you can be shivering, burning up, and then shivering again. Soon your legs become weak and your body begins to ache. Once the flu hits you, you just want to lie down in bed. Usually, it lasts three to five days, buy is often followed by another illness. If you’re old or have heart or lung problems, you’d better get a flu vaccine every year so as to protect against it.
Task 4: An Announcement
Receptionist: Good morning. Dr. Black’s office.
Student: ???Hello, this is Albert Shaw. I’d like to make an appointment with Dr. Black for a checkup. Would 9:30 be all right?
Receptionist: Let’s see. He doesn’t have any openings in the morning. But there’s a cancellation in the afternoon at 3 o’clock.
Student:??? Hmmm, how about 3:30? I’ll have a class until 3:15.
Receptionist: OK, let’s make it 3:30 the day after tomorrow. That’s Thursday.
IV. Speaking Out
Now Your Turn
James: Hello, Nicky! Are you feeling better today?
Nicole: Well, the fever is gone, but I’m still feeling weak. You know, I can’t take it easy any longer. I’m worried about my class and the coming biology exam—it’s an important test.
James: Don’t worry. Everything will be OK. Are you still taking the medicine?
Nicole: Yeah. I’m following the doctors orders, but I hate taking pills. You can’t be sure about the side effects.
James: I know what you mean. Some medicines are not safe.
Nicole: You could say that again.
Model 2 Is it serious, doctor?
Now Your Turn
Doctor: Well, John, your blood pressure is a bit high. Is there a history of that in your family?
John:?? Is it serious, doctor? My grandpa died of a Stroke.
Doctor: Your condition is not that bad. But you have to take care. More rest, less work.
John:?? Do I have to drop some classes? The trouble is that my class schedule is so tight this semester.
Doctor: Take it easy. Take the prescription for three months, then come back for another checkup.
Model 3 What’s on your mind?
Now Your Turn
Katherine: What’s on your mind, Sarah?
Sarah:??? I’m really anxious. I’m afraid of the oral presentation tomorrow.
Katherine: There’s really no reason to be worried. You’ve practiced it so often with me that even I know it.
Sarah:??? But I can’t help worrying. I’ll get nervous when I speak in public.
Katherine: I know. When I did my first oral presentation, I went through the same thing. You’ll be fine.
V. Let’s Talk
Doctor: Well, your test results are back, Jim. Your blood tests are fine. Everything seems OK.
Jim:?? Huh. I still don’t have any energy, and I get headaches all the time.
Doctor: Mm. I see your weight is 180 pounds. You’ve gained five pounds since your last visit. That’s a little too much for your weight.
Jim:?? That’s funny. I’ve been eating the same as always.
Doctor: I think maybe we should talk about it.
Jim: ??Oh, well, I mean…now I eat the things students usually eat at school.
Doctor: The usual things?
Jim:?? Yeah, you know. In the morning, I grab a few doughnuts and a coffee on the way to school.
Doctor: Uh-huh. And for lunch?
Jim:?? Uh, a couple of hot dogs, fries, and a Coke…maybe an ice cream on the way back.
Doctor: And dinner?
Jim:?? Pizza, and a Coke.
Doctor: What about exercise?
Jim:?? Exercise? I’m just not into exercise. I just like to watch sports on TV. Anyway I wouldn’t have time for exercise…too much homework, you know.
Doctor: You should change your eating habits before you have a serious weight problem. I’ll give you this pamphlet with diet suggestions to follow, and I also want you to do some walking and some one-hour workouts at the gym. Maybe three times a week.
Jim:?? Diet? Exercise? But can’t I just take some pills to give me more energy and get rid of my headaches?
Column A????????????????????????????????? Column B
?????? The student’s test results????? 6????????????? 1. Headaches and lack of energy
?????? His problems?????????????? 1????????????? 2. Exercise and diet
?????? His breakfast?????????????? 4???????????? 3. Pizza and a Coke
?????? His lunch??????????? ?????5????????????? 4. A few doughnuts and a coffee
?????? His dinner??????????????? 3????????????? 5. A couple of hot dogs, fries, and Coke
?????? Suggestions to follow?????? 2 ?????????????6. Nothing physically wrong
For Reference
A
A, you see B in low spirits and ask for the reason.
? Hi, Jack. What’s up? You look unhappy.
B, tell A the result of your blood test.
? Well, I had a blood test last week. The doctor said that my blood was thick and sticky. I’m very worried.
A, comfort B, and give your suggestions.
? Don’t worry. More fruit and vegetables and regular exercises will improve your health.
B, say what you think about A’s suggestions.
??Hope so. Actually, the doctor said the same.
B
A, go to a stranger and introduce the diet pills.
? Excuse me, sir. Would you please have a look at our new diet pills? It helps you lose 20 pounds in one month.
B, show your surprise and ask whether the pills work for all people.
? Wow. But does it suit different kinds of people? I mean the old and the young alike?
A, answer affirmatively and ask for B’s persona; contact information.
? ?Good question. We’ve different prescriptions for different groups of people. Would you please fill in the form with your comtact information, so that we can mail you the detailed introduction to the diet pills?
B, write down your information and pass on the sheet to your partner.
? OK. Here you are!
VI. Furthering Listening and Speaking
Task 1: Medical Services on Campus
While every university in
1. medical service????? health insurance
2. medical advice
3. operation??? outside??? make the arrangements
4. medical assistance????? housing??? off campus
5. living on campus
Task 2: An Expensive Treatment
Steven had a temperature of 100. His head was stuffed; his bones ached and his throat was sore. He knew he had the flu. All his roommates had been sick with it. He had used up all the special creams and herbs that his mother had carefully packed and put in his suitcase, saying, “Just in case you get sick.” After three days of lying in bed, feeling miserable, Steven decided to go to the doctor. He described all his symptoms and was sure the doctor would give him a shot that would make him feel much better. Instead, the doctor told him to get plenty of rest and to drink lots of liquids. She gave him a prescription to fill and said in two or three days he would be feeling better. Ashe left, the receptionist told him his visit would cost $50. Steven paid the money in cash and left the doctor’s office feeling very angry
1. F?? 2.T?? 3.F?? 4.F?? 5.T
Task 3: Doctor’s Advice
Once an old gentleman went to see a doctor. The doctor examined him and said, “Medicine won’t help you.” You must have a complete rest. Go to a quiet country place for a month, go to bed early, drink milk, walk a lot, and smoke just one cigar a day.”
“Thank you very much,” said the old gentleman, “I shall do everything you say.”
A month later, the gentleman came to the doctor again, “How do you do!” said the doctor, “I am very glad to see you. You look much younger.”
“Oh, doctor,” said the gentleman, “I feel quite well now. I had a good rest. I went to bed early. I drank a lot of milk. I walked a lot. Your advice certainly helped me. But you told me to smoke one cigar a day, and that one cigar almost killed me at first. It’s no joke to start smoking at j\my age.”
1.D?? 2.B?? 3.A?? 4.B?? 5.D
