Dialogue 1

Doctor: What seems to be the problem?

Patient: Well, it's my ankle. I was coming home from work and I slipped on some ice and twisted it. I think it's broken.

Doctor: When was this?

Patient: Last week.

Doctor: Are you able to walk on it?

Patient: Oh yes, but it's a little painful.

Doctor: If you are walking it's extremely unlikely it's broken. You really don't need to come to surgery with this.


Dialogue 2

Doctor: Good morning, how can I help you?

Patient: It's my toe, I tripped in the street and bent it forward, it's sticking out at a funny angle and it really hurts.

Doctor: Was this recent?

Patient: Yesterday, but my husband refused to take me to casualty, he said I was just fussing and it couldn't be anything serious.

Doctor: Let's have a look - oh that looks painful, I think you should have an x-ray; can you get to casualty today?

Patient: Yes, I'll go now. Thank you doctor.


Dialogue 3

Doctor: What can I do you for Mr Fedora?

Patient: My back doctor, it's killing me. Yesterday I was getting out of bed and ouch, I felt the muscle go. It must be because it's so cold in my house, the Gas company has put the price up and I really can't afford to have it on very often. All my aches and pains get worse and worse. I worked down the mines for 30 years and now I don't even get enough money to pay for decent heating it's a disgrace. This is one of the richest countries in the world and look how it treats its pensioners.

Doctor: I'll look at your back Mr Fedora, but I can't do much about society! You may have pulled a muscle in your back, I suggest some topical analgesic cream and painkillers, I'll write you a prescription.

Patient: Thank you doctor, but don't be surprised if you see me again soon, this weather brings out ill health in me.


Dialogue 4

Doctor: Good morning Mrs Smith how are you today.

Patient: Much better doctor, you told me to come back for a check up. My chest is much less decongested and I have no pain in my throat.

Doctor: Good, have you finished the course of antibiotics?

Patient: Yesterday and I was to have gone back to work next week, but I'm going tomorrow.

Doctor: Good, but you ought to take it easy, that was a nasty infection you had and many people find it knocks them out for quite a while.

Patient: Good thing I'm strong, all that time in the gym must be good for something.

Dialogue 5

Doctor: Miss Ambrose, how nice to see you, nothing serious I hope?

Patient: Well doctor, my niece insisted I come and see you, I don't think it's really anything worth bothering you about, but you know how young people fuss. Last week I was getting something from a cupboard when I must have slipped. I fell on my shoulder it hurt a bit at the time, but I didn't really think anything of it. I've got a lovely bruise, but at my age you have to expect that.

Doctor: I'll check if for you. Well, I don't think you have any broken bones; you must have fallen on something soft!

Patient: Yes, the bag of flour on the surface. I needn't have worried about the mess, it saved my bones.

Glossary:
miserable - przykre
shot - zastrzyk
draft - przeciąg
pneumonia - zapalenie płuc
twisted - skręcony
sore - obolały
slip - poślizgnąć się
casualty - izba przyjęć
fussing - robienie problemu
ouch - ał (okrzyk z bólu)
decent - przyzwoity
decongested - udrożniony
knocks them out - zwala z nóg
bother - zajmować czas

Part 2
Language Focus
Underline all the modal verbs used in the dialogues
e.g. Are you able to walk on it?

Which are a. ability, b. (un)certainty and c. obligation?
e.g. Are you able to - ability

Part 3
Now complete each of the sentences with a suitable modal verb from above.

1. You__________ an x-ray on your wrist, it is definitely not broken.
2. The doctor said I _________ to worry about the side affects as they were usually very minor.
3. According to the packet I _________ drink while I am on this medication.
4. I think I _________ have fallen on something sharp.
5. I ________ worried about my chest, according to the doctor, it was perfectly normal.
6. The doctor says he _______ do anything to relieve the pain, I just _______ wait.


Key
Part 1
1. c
2. e
3. f
4. d
5. b
a is the extra title

Part 2
Dialogue 1
Are you able to - ability
You really didn't need to come to surgery with this - obligation

Dialogue 2
can you get to casualty today - ability
you should have an x-ray - certainty
it couldn't be anything serious - certainty

Dialogue 3
it must be because it's so cold - certainty
you may have pulled - certainty
I can't do much about society - ability
I really can't afford to have it on - ability

Dialogue 4
you ought to take it easy - obligation
all that time in the gym must be good for something - certainty
I was to have gone back to work - certainty

Dialogue 5
you must have fallen on something soft - certainty
you have to expect that - obligation
I must have slipped - certainty
I needn't have worried about the mess - obligation

Part 3

1. don't need
2. didn't have to
3. mustn't/shouldn't
4. must/might/may
5. needn't have/shouldn't have
6. can't have to