English For Today chapter 5: The Little Doctor

The Little Doctor

1.1 Look at the pictures. Ask and answer the following questions in pairs.

Figure

Labels: a Description: A doctor in a white coat holds a student's chin while another student in a white shirt stands by; a third person in a white coat holds a clipboard.

Figure

Labels: b Description: A girl in a blue dress with a clipboard measures a student's height against a wall marked with a measuring stick; another girl in a blue dress holds a flat object on the student's head.

Figure

Labels: c Description: A student in a white coat stands beside a girl in a blue dress standing on a weighing scale; another girl in a blue dress stands on the other side, and a clock hangs on the wall.

Figure

Labels: d Description: A student in a white coat points at a chart of letters on the wall, while a girl in a blue dress stands beside a boy who is covering one eye; another student sits in the foreground.

i) Who are they?

ii) What are they doing?

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1.2 Listen and Read.

Figure

Description: A doctor in a white coat and pink cap examines a student seated at a desk; other students sit at desks behind them beside a window.

Aliya is a student of class four. She is one of the little doctors of her school. A little doctor works for the physical wellbeing of students. She visits the classes and takes measurement of the height, weight and temperature of students. She helps to distribute deworming tablets and vitamin capsules among the students. She suggests the students to take the deworming tablets after a meal. She asks them to drink safe water. She also asks the students to wash hands before taking food. Aliya keeps the health records of the students. When a student feels sick or gets hurt, she responds quickly with a first aid box. She also informs teachers in case of an emergency. Aliya enjoys her work as little doctor.

2.1 Ask and answer the following questions in pairs. Write the answers in your exercise book.

a) What does Aliya do as a little doctor?

b) When should students take the deworming tablets?

c) What advice does Aliya give to students about water?

d) What does Aliya do if a student feels sick or gets hurt?

e) Why do you think Aliya enjoys her work as a little doctor?

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3.1 Language Focus: Use of Articles

We use 'a' or 'an' while talking of any person or thing.

• We usually use 'a' before words starting with consonants. For example: a pen, a book, a table, a flower, a mobile.
• We usually use 'an' before words starting with vowels. For example: an apple, an egg, an umbrella, an elephant, an orange.
• We use 'the' while talking of definite person, place or thing. For example: the sun, the moon, the earth, the river.

3.2 Fill in the blanks with appropriate articles.

a) She found __________ egg in her lunchbox.

b) We go to __________ playground in the afternoon.

c) There is __________ elephant at the zoo.

d) He lives in __________ old house.

e) I saw a cat in __________ garden. __________ cat was sleeping.

4.1 Imagine, you are a little doctor in your school. Write what you will do in your school as a little doctor. Mark articles (a, an, the) in your writing.

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5.1 Read the text.

Aliya's younger brother is sick. The doctor advised her brother to take oral saline. The doctor also told them how to make oral saline.

Instructions for making oral saline

1. First, clean a jug, a glass and your hands properly.

2. Then, pour in half a litre of pure drinking water into the jug.

Figure

Description: Two empty glasses (left) and a glass pouring water into a jug (right).

3. Next, take a handful of molasses (gur)/sugar and add it into the water.

Figure

Description: A handful of molasses (gur) or sugar above a jug of water.

4. After that, take a pinch of salt, as much as you can hold with three fingers.

Figure

Description: A pinch of salt being added from above into a jug of water.

5. Mix them well with a spoon.

Figure

Description: A spoon stirring the contents of a jug.

6. Now, serve the saline to the patient.

7. Remember, you need to finish the saline within 12 hours.

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Now, Aliya wants to make oral saline for her brother. She asks her mother to help him making the oral saline.

Aliya : Ma, can you help me make the oral saline?

Mother: Sure.

Aliya : Could you help me get the water and the jug, please?

Mother: Okay. Here they are.

Aliya : Thank you. Could you give me the salt and the sugar also?

Mother: Sure. Now, mix with a spoon properly.

Aliya : Thanks, Ma! The oral saline is ready.

Mother: Great! Now, give it to your brother to drink.

5.2 Language Focus: Use of Can/Could for Request

In the conversation, Aliya used different language expressions to make requests to her mother.

• Can you help me make the oral saline?
• Could you help me get the water and the jug, please?
• Could you give me the salt and sugar also?

When we make requests to someone for something we use can, could. Usually, we use can for known person and could for unknown person.

Examples:

• Can I borrow your pen?
• Can you open the window, please?
• Could you give me some paper, please?

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5.3 Read the sentences related to what you want from someone. Then, write the requests accordingly using 'can' or 'could'. One is done for you.

a) You want to know someone's name. Request sentence: Could you tell me your name, please?

b) You want to borrow a pen from your friend. Request sentence: __________________________________________ __________________________________________ ?

c) You want someone to open the window of your classroom. Request sentence: __________________________________________ __________________________________________ ?

d) You ask someone to switch on a light. Request sentence: __________________________________________ __________________________________________ ?

e) You ask your mother to get some water. Request sentence: __________________________________________ __________________________________________ ?

f) You need permission from your teacher to go to the washroom. Request sentence: __________________________________________ __________________________________________ ?

g) You want to know the price of a book in a shop. Request sentence: __________________________________________ __________________________________________ ?