English Language Practice: Work, Health, and Grammar

English Listening Practice: At the Dentist

Hello? Hello, Mr. Savage? Is John there? Yes, Mr. Savage. What is the matter? Why have you come late? Well, it depends. What is the problem? I have a toothache. I will ring for a dentist appointment. I see. I am sorry. What did you say? Don't worry about it now. Yes, goodbye.

Improving Workplace Efficiency

At present, I am working in an office. I like my job very much; I earn proper money and I have a good relationship with my workmates. However, I think that my company should change something. In my opinion, people waste their time going out to have a cigarette. If we had a smoking room, we would return faster to our workplace. Moreover, we could work one extra hour per day; then on Friday, we could go home sooner and have a longer weekend. In conclusion, I am very happy working for my company, but we could improve many things.

My Experience with the Kissing Disease

The last time I was sick was in March. It all started when I was at school; I was dizzy and I had a fever. I phoned my father to come to Tudela, and then he went to my house. When my mother came from work, she decided to take me to the doctor because she was worried. The doctor told me that I had the kissing disease (mononucleosis) and I couldn't kiss anybody. I was sick for two weeks with vomiting and dizziness. I couldn't go to school. After two weeks, I was better and the doctor told me that I could go to school. I was happy because I was really bored at home and I wanted to see my friends.

English Grammar and Vocabulary Reference

Common Prepositions

• To: hacía
• Into: en
• Out of: fuera de
• On: dentro o sobre
• Off: fuera
• From: desde
• By: por

Action Verbs

• Walk: paseo
• Take: tomar
• Get: coger
• See: ver
• Call: llamada

Verb Tenses and Usage

Present Simple

She comes from Wales. I am a student. Do you work? Does he work?

Present Continuous

She is running a marathon. Is she running a marathon? (Used with: now, at the moment, today, tonight, this afternoon, this evening).

Future Tense

Am I going to see John tomorrow? (Used with: today, this afternoon, tomorrow, next week).

Health and Sickness Vocabulary

• Backache: dolor de espalda
• A cold: resfriado
• Flu: gripe
• Stomach upset: dolor de estómago
• Toothache: dolor de muelas
• Headache: dolor de cabeza
• Stress: estrés
• A broken ankle: tobillo roto

Common Verb Phrases for Health

• Stay (estar): at home, inside
• Take (tomar): vitamins, a pill, an aspirin, it easy, something for it
• Feel (sentir): ill, sick, well, better, okay