At the doctor’s – A2 English Listening Exercise
Listening 1
Listen to the telephone conversation between a patient and a receptionist. Choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 Why is Alex calling the clinic?
(A) He wants to cancel his appointment today.
(B) He is stuck in a traffic jam and will be late.
(C) He forgot what time his appointment is.
2 What did the receptionist offer to do?
(A) Ask the doctor to wait for 15 minutes.
(B) Change his appointment to tomorrow.
(C) Let him see a different doctor today.
3 What does Alex decide to do?
(A) Go to the clinic and wait to see the doctor.
(B) Go back home because his stomach hurts.
(C) Come back to the clinic tomorrow morning.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: B
- Explanation: Alex clearly says, “there is a terrible traffic jam right now. I think I will be about 15 minutes late.”
- Trap A is wrong: He doesn’t want to cancel. In fact, he really wants to keep the appointment today.
- Trap C is wrong: He knows his time (“I have an appointment with Dr. Green at 9:30”).
2 Correct Answer: B
- Explanation: The receptionist says, “I can reschedule your appointment for tomorrow morning if you want.”
- Trap A is wrong: Alex asks if the doctor can wait, but the receptionist says the doctor has another patient at 9:45. She does not offer to make the doctor wait.
- Trap C is wrong: A different doctor is not mentioned in the audio.
3 Correct Answer: A
- Explanation: Alex says, “I need to see him today. I don’t mind waiting a long time at the clinic.”
- Trap B is wrong: His stomach hurts, which is the reason he wants to see the doctor today, not the reason to go back home.
- Trap C is wrong (The Twist): The receptionist offered tomorrow morning, but Alex rejected it (“No… I need to see him today”).
AUDIO SCRIPT
Receptionist: Good morning, City Medical Clinic.
Alex: Hi, this is Alex Turner. I have an appointment with Dr. Green at 9:30 today.
Receptionist: Yes, Mr. Turner. How can I help you?
Alex: Well, I wanted to arrive early, but there is a terrible traffic jam right now. I think I will be about 15 minutes late. Can the doctor wait for me?
Receptionist: Hmm. Dr. Green has another patient at 9:45. I can reschedule your appointment for tomorrow morning if you want.
Alex: No, my stomach really hurts. I need to see him today. I don’t mind waiting a long time at the clinic.
Receptionist: Alright, we will keep your appointment for today. Please drive safely!
Alex: Thank you so much. See you soon.
Listening 2
Listen to the conversation between a patient and a receptionist. Choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 Where is the patient’s health insurance card?
(A) In his wallet.
(B) On his desk at home.
(C) In his bag.
2 Which card does the patient give to the receptionist?
(A) His ID card.
(B) His driver’s license.
(C) His health insurance card.
3 What did the patient think he had to do?
(A) Call someone to bring the card.
(B) Pay extra money for the doctor.
(C) Go back home to get the card.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: B
- Explanation: The patient explicitly says, “I think I left it on my desk at home.”
- Trap A is wrong: The patient looked in his wallet, but he says “I can’t find it in my wallet.”
- Trap C is wrong (The Twist): He says “I wanted to put it in my bag… but I forgot.” It is not in the bag.
2 Correct Answer: A
- Explanation: The patient says, “Yes, I have my ID card right here,” and the receptionist accepts it.
- Trap B is wrong: The receptionist asks if he has an ID card or a driver’s license, but he only has the ID card.
- Trap C is wrong: The health insurance card is the one he left at home.
3 Correct Answer: C
- Explanation: At the end of the conversation, the patient says, “I was afraid I had to go back home to get it.”
- Trap A is wrong: Calling someone is a logical solution, but he doesn’t mention doing it.
- Trap B is wrong: Paying extra money is not mentioned in the audio.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Patient: Hi, I’m here for my appointment with Dr. Evans.
Receptionist: Good morning. Can I have your health insurance card, please?
Patient: Oh no! I can’t find it in my wallet. I think I left it on my desk at home. I wanted to put it in my bag this morning, but I forgot.
Receptionist: Don’t worry, sir. Do you have your ID card or a driver’s license with you?
Patient: Yes, I have my ID card right here.
Receptionist: Great. We can use that for today. You can just bring the insurance card next time.
Patient: Phew! Thank you so much. I was afraid I had to go back home to get it.
Receptionist: You’re welcome. Please have a seat in the waiting area.
Listening 3
Listen to the conversation between a receptionist and a patient. Choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 Why is there a delay at the clinic?
(A) The doctor has not arrived at the clinic yet.
(B) The doctor is busy treating an emergency.
(C) The patient arrived too late for his appointment.
2 What did Mr. Thompson think about doing when he heard the news?
(A) Coming back to the clinic the next day.
(B) Going into the doctor’s room immediately.
(C) Reading his magazine at home.
3 What does the receptionist ask Mr. Thompson to do?
(A) Call the clinic again tomorrow morning.
(B) Wait in the lobby for 20 minutes.
(C) Wait in the lobby for 15 minutes.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: B
- Explanation: The receptionist clearly explains, “Dr. Carter just got a sudden emergency. He is busy with another patient right now.”
- Trap A is wrong: The doctor is already at the clinic treating someone else, not late for work.
- Trap C is wrong: The patient says “I thought it was my turn now,” meaning he was on time for his 10:15 appointment.
2 Correct Answer: A
- Explanation: Mr. Thompson asks, “Should I just go home and come back tomorrow?”
- Trap B is wrong: He knows there is a delay, so he doesn’t expect to go in immediately.
- Trap C is wrong: He decides to read his magazine in the clinic’s lobby while waiting, not at home.
3 Correct Answer: B
- Explanation: The receptionist asks him, “Could you please wait in the lobby for another 20 minutes?”
- Trap A is wrong (The Twist): Mr. Thompson offered to come back tomorrow, but the receptionist said “No, you don’t need to do that.”
- Trap C is wrong (Number Trap): 15 is a plausible number for waiting (and relates to his 10:15 appointment time), but she specifically asks him to wait for 20 minutes.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Receptionist: Excuse me, Mr. Thompson? I am very sorry, but there is a slight delay with your appointment.
Patient: Oh? My appointment was for 10:15. I thought it was my turn now.
Receptionist: I know. We wanted to call you in, but Dr. Carter just got a sudden emergency. He is busy with another patient right now.
Patient: Oh, I understand. An emergency comes first. Should I just go home and come back tomorrow?
Receptionist: No, you don’t need to do that. He will finish very soon. Could you please wait in the lobby for another 20 minutes?
Patient: Alright, 20 minutes is fine. I’ll just sit here and read my magazine.
Listening 4
Listen to the conversation between a patient and a pharmacist. Choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 Who is the medicine for?
(A) The patient’s five-year-old son.
(B) The patient’s husband.
(C) The pharmacist.
2 How much medicine should the boy take?
(A) Two spoons.
(B) One spoon.
(C) Three spoons.
3 When should the boy take the medicine?
(A) Right before going to sleep.
(B) Before eating a meal.
(C) After eating a meal.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: A
- Explanation: The patient explicitly says, “I just bought this cough medicine for my son… He is five years old.”
- Trap B is wrong: An adult is mentioned when talking about the dosage (“two spoons are for adults”), but the medicine is for the son.
- Trap C is wrong: The pharmacist is the one giving advice, not the one taking the medicine.
2 Correct Answer: B
- Explanation: The pharmacist clearly instructs, “For a five-year-old child, you should only give him one spoon.”
- Trap A is wrong (Number Trap & The Twist): The patient thought it was two spoons, but the pharmacist corrects him, saying that two spoons are only for adults.
- Trap C is wrong: Three spoons is a plausible amount, but it is not mentioned in the audio.
3 Correct Answer: C
- Explanation: The pharmacist says, “It is better to take it after a meal.” The patient confirms: “One spoon after eating.”
- Trap A is wrong: Taking medicine before sleep is common, but it is never mentioned in this conversation.
- Trap B is wrong: The patient asks if it is “before or after a meal”, but “before” is the wrong option.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Patient: Excuse me. I just bought this cough medicine for my son, but I forgot the instructions.
Pharmacist: No problem. Let me look at the bottle. How old is your son?
Patient: He is five years old. I remember the doctor said two spoons, right?
Pharmacist: Ah, actually, two spoons are for adults. For a five-year-old child, you should only give him one spoon.
Patient: Oh, just one spoon. And should he take it before or after a meal?
Pharmacist: It is better to take it after a meal so his stomach doesn’t hurt.
Patient: Got it. One spoon after eating. Thank you for your help.
Pharmacist: You’re welcome.
Listening 5
Listen to the conversation between a patient and a nurse. Choose the correct answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
1 What did the patient think about doing this morning?
(A) Taking some medicine.
(B) Canceling his appointment.
(C) Calling his doctor.
2 What does the nurse tell the patient to do during the injection?
(A) Look at his phone.
(B) Look at the nurse.
(C) Close his eyes and breathe.
3 What does the nurse give the patient at the end?
(A) A small bandage.
(B) A prescription for medicine.
(C) A glass of water.
ANSWER KEY & EXPLANATIONS
1 Correct Answer: B
- Explanation: The patient explicitly says, “I wanted to cancel my appointment this morning.”
- Trap A is wrong: Medicine is a plausible health topic, but it is not mentioned in the audio.
- Trap C is wrong: Calling the doctor is something people do when they want to cancel, but he specifically mentions canceling the appointment, not just calling.
2 Correct Answer: C
- Explanation: The nurse gives a clear instruction: “Just close your eyes and take a deep breath.”
- Trap A is wrong (Action Trap): The patient asks, “Should I look at my phone…?” but the nurse rejects this idea (“No, don’t look at your phone.”).
- Trap B is wrong: The nurse tells him to close his eyes, not to look at her.
3 Correct Answer: A
- Explanation: At the very end of the conversation, the nurse says, “Here is a small bandage for your arm.”
- Trap B is wrong: A prescription is given by a doctor, but this is a nurse giving a vaccine, so a bandage is used.
- Trap C is wrong: Water is not mentioned in the audio.
AUDIO SCRIPT
Patient: Excuse me, I’m a little nervous today. I really hate needles. Actually, I wanted to cancel my appointment this morning, but I know I need this vaccine.
Nurse: That’s completely normal. A lot of people are afraid of injections. Don’t worry, it will be very fast.
Patient: Will it hurt a lot? Should I look at my phone to distract myself?
Nurse: No, don’t look at your phone. Just close your eyes and take a deep breath. It will be over in two seconds.
Patient: Okay...
Nurse: All done! See? That wasn’t so bad. You can open your eyes now. Here is a small bandage for your arm.