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The doctor’s day
Module 8 · A bad dayGet to know the neighbours and practise what you've learned in a new story.
The storyMonday of festival week, the day you fall ill, seen from the other side of the desk: forty patients for Penny, the town doctor, no lunch, three calls from her mother, and a daughter who is waiting.
New words in the story
- exam a test at school or university
- patient a person visiting a doctor
- generation parents, children or grandparents as one age group
- bored unhappy because there is nothing interesting to do
- tonight this evening or night
- elderly old, used as a respectful description
Tap a word to see what it means.
Monday, half past seven. There are many people at the surgery.
Monday, half past seven. There are many people at the surgery.
LauraHello, Doctor. Forty patients today.
Hello, Doctor. Forty patients today.
PennyForty? We work until seven. First patient, please.
Forty? We work until seven. First patient, please.
- Patient
Hello. Me again.
Hello. Me again.
PennyHello. Twice a week. Where does it hurt?
Hello. Twice a week. Where does it hurt?
- Patient
My back, leg and head.
My back, leg and head.
- Penny
Breathe deeply. Once more.
Breathe deeply. Once more.
- Patient
My children live far away. I’m alone at home. I’m bored.
My children live far away. I’m alone at home. I’m bored.
- Penny
For that you need people. Go to May’s café every morning.
For that you need people. Go to May’s café every morning.
- Patient
Coffee and cake as medicine? I like that!
Coffee and cake as medicine? I like that!
The next patient is a student with a large bag.
The next patient is a student with a large bag.
StudentMy head hurts. Every day.
My head hurts. Every day.
- Penny
How many hours do you sleep?
How many hours do you sleep?
- Student
Four. I have an exam on Friday. I study at night.
Four. I have an exam on Friday. I study at night.
- Penny
Too little. You need enough sleep. Drink enough water too.
Too little. You need enough sleep. Drink enough water too.
It’s one in the afternoon. There are still many people.
It’s one in the afternoon. There are still many people.
- Laura
Doctor, no lunch again?
Doctor, no lunch again?
PennyI have no time. Later.
I have no time. Later.
- Laura
Your mother is calling. The third time today.
Your mother is calling. The third time today.
AnnePenny, not eating again? I know. Laura knows too.
Penny, not eating again? I know. Laura knows too.
- Penny
Mum, I know everything too.
Mum, I know everything too.
- Anne
What about tonight? Nicky is waiting.
What about tonight? Nicky is waiting.
- Penny
I’ll come at seven.
I’ll come at seven.
- Anne
Always seven. But you arrive at nine.
Always seven. But you arrive at nine.
It’s eight in the evening. Penny comes to her mother’s home.
It’s eight in the evening. Penny comes to her mother’s home.
NickyMum! It’s eight already!
Mum! It’s eight already!
- Penny
Sorry. Forty patients.
Sorry. Forty patients.
- Nicky
I see you only in the evening.
I see you only in the evening.
- Anne
Sit down. Eat first. A doctor has to eat too.
Sit down. Eat first. A doctor has to eat too.
- Penny
Mum, I’m not a child. I’m forty-four!
Mum, I’m not a child. I’m forty-four!
AnneYou’re my child.
You’re my child.
- Nicky
Why are you a doctor?
Why are you a doctor?
- Penny
Grandma was a teacher. She was tired in the evening.
Grandma was a teacher. She was tired in the evening.
- Penny
I was the doctor, she was the patient. The medicine: tea and sleep.
I was the doctor, she was the patient. The medicine: tea and sleep.
- Nicky
The festival is on Saturday. Can you come?
The festival is on Saturday. Can you come?
- Penny
I have to work on Saturday.
I have to work on Saturday.
- Nicky
Mum! Always work!
Mum! Always work!
PennyAll right. I won’t work on Saturday. I’ll come with the family.
All right. I won’t work on Saturday. I’ll come with the family.
- Anne
Me too. I see everything. I know everything!
Me too. I see everything. I know everything!
Three generations eat pancakes. Penny eats three.
Three generations eat pancakes. Penny eats three.
Practice 1/4 · Who says it
Who said it?
Who says it?
Hello, Doctor. Forty patients today.
Forty? We work until seven. First patient, please.
Hello. Me again.
Practice 2/4 · True or false
Right or wrong?
True or false?
Penny has forty patients.
Penny has forty patients.
Penny has lots of time for lunch.
Penny has lots of time for lunch.
The student sleeps four hours.
The student sleeps four hours.
Penny arrives at seven.
Penny arrives at seven.
Penny will come to the festival.
Penny will come to the festival.
Practice 3/4 · What happens
What happened first?
Put what happens in order.
Practice 4/4 · Questions
Understand the story
Answer the questions.
How old is Penny?
How old is Penny?
Penny tells her mother that she is forty-four.
When does she come home?
When does she come home?
She arrives at eight instead of seven.
What does everyone eat?
What does everyone eat?
Three generations eat pancakes together.
Unit complete
