A2 · Elementary · Health and body care
At the pharmacy
4 short A2 English scripts to practise how to at the pharmacy. Read one out loud, record yourself, listen back and try again.
Key phrase Have you got something for…? (American English: Do you have something for…?)
The night before the interview
Hi, I've got a terrible cold. My nose is running, I can't sleep, and I have a really important job interview tomorrow. Have you got anything that can help?
These tablets? How often do I take them? Twice a day, after food. OK. Will they make me sleepy? I need to be awake for the interview! It's at nine, and it's online, so I have to look fresh on camera.
Oh, and one more thing. I'm allergic to penicillin. Is that a problem? No? Great, thank you. And do you have any throat sweets? Honey and lemon, if possible. I'm so glad this chemist's is open late. Everything else is closed!
American English
Hi, I have a terrible cold. My nose is running, I can't sleep, and I have a really important job interview tomorrow. Do you have anything that can help?
These pills? How often do I take them? Twice a day, after food. OK. Will they make me sleepy? I need to be awake for the interview! It's at nine, and it's online, so I have to look fresh on camera.
Oh, and one more thing. I'm allergic to penicillin. Is that a problem? No? Great, thank you. And do you have any throat sweets? Honey and lemon, if possible. I'm so glad this drugstore is open late. Everything else is closed!
Holiday first aid
Hello! We're on holiday, and it's been a bit of a disaster. First, I need something for sunburn. My back is bright red. Is this cream good for that?
Next, my son has a mosquito bite on his leg, and it's really itchy. He can't stop scratching. He's six, so telling him to stop doesn't work. Have you got anything for children?
And finally, a box of plasters, please. New sandals, long walk, big mistake. My feet are in pieces. Have you got waterproof ones? Perfect. I think that's everything. Oh, and sunscreen, factor fifty. We're learning!
American English
Hello! We're on vacation, and it's been kind of a disaster. First, I need something for sunburn. My back is bright red. Is this cream good for that?
Next, my son has a mosquito bite on his leg, and it's really itchy. He can't stop scratching. He's six, so telling him to stop doesn't work. Do you have anything for kids?
And finally, a box of Band-Aids, please. New sandals, long walk, big mistake. My feet are in pieces. Do you have waterproof ones? Perfect. I think that's everything. Oh, and sunscreen, SPF fifty. We're learning!
Wedding shoes, terrible shoes
Hi, thank goodness you're still open. This chemist's is my last hope. I'm the best man at my brother's wedding tomorrow, and I bought new shoes. Beautiful shoes. Terrible shoes. I wore them for one hour, and now my heels are red and sore.
Have you got plasters for this? Big ones? Thank you. And is there a cream for the red skin? Twice a day? OK, tonight and tomorrow morning.
Can I have two boxes? One for me and one for my brother. His shoes are new too. Yes, my mum says I should wear my old trainers. But the photos, you know? I'm going to smile and suffer.
American English
Hi, thank goodness you're still open. This drugstore is my last hope. I'm the best man at my brother's wedding tomorrow, and I bought new shoes. Beautiful shoes. Terrible shoes. I wore them for an hour, and now my heels are red and sore.
Do you have Band-Aids for this? Big ones? Thank you. And do you have a cream for the red skin? Twice a day? OK, tonight and tomorrow morning.
Can I get two boxes? One for me and one for my brother. His shoes are new too. Yes, my mom says I should wear my old sneakers. But the photos, you know? I'm going to smile and suffer.
The kitten problem
Hello, I think I need some tablets. My eyes are red and itchy, I keep sneezing, and my nose is running. No, it isn't a cold. Last week my girlfriend got a kitten. Now I'm allergic to my own flat.
Which tablets are best? These ones? Do I take them once or twice a day? Twice, with water. Can I drive after taking them? I'm a bus driver. Oh, good. No sleepy bus driver, then.
Great. And have you got anything for the itchy eyes? Drops? Perfect. The funny thing is, I don't want to give away the kitten. He's called Biscuit, and he sleeps on my head. I think I'm going to need a lot of tablets.
American English
Hi, I think I need some pills. My eyes are red and itchy, I keep sneezing, and my nose is running. No, it's not a cold. Last week my girlfriend adopted a kitten. Now I'm allergic to my own apartment.
Which pills are best? These ones? Do I take them once or twice a day? Twice, with water. Can I drive after taking them? I'm a bus driver. Oh, good. No sleepy bus driver, then.
Great. And do you have something for the itchy eyes? Eye drops? Perfect. The funny thing is, I don't want to give away the kitten. His name is Biscuit, and he sleeps on my head. I think I'm going to need a lot of pills.
Key words
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| chemist's / drugstore (US) noun | a shop that sells medicine |
| cold noun | a common illness: a runny nose and a sore throat |
| tablets / pills (US) noun | small round pieces of medicine |
| twice adverb | two times |
| allergic adjective | made ill by something, like a food or medicine |