2. Read the two texts below and add more collocations to the box in task 4.

3. Work in pairs. Student a makes 6 questions about the characteristic features of the disease described in text 1, while student b does the same with text 2, then answer each other’s questions.

Text 1 In general influenza is an acute viral infection of the upper or lower respiratory tracts. Spanish Influenza Epidemic was the most severe influenza outbreak of the 20th century and, in terms of total numbers of deaths, possibly the most devastating epidemic in human history. The cause of the extreme virulence of this outbreak is not known. The outbreak apparently originated in Camp Funston, Kansas, U.S., in early March 1918. American troops that arrived in western Europe in April to participate in World War I are thought to have brought the virus with them, and by July it had spread to Poland. During the summer the virus mutated into a more lethal strain and a second more severe form of the disease emerged in August 1918. The onset of symptoms was abrupt, with sudden and distinct chills, fatigue, and muscular aches. The temperature rose rapidly to 40° C. People experienced diffuse headache and irritation in the throat. Pneumonia often developed quickly, with death usually coming two days after the first indications of the flu. Outbreaks of the flu occurred in nearly every inhabited part of the world. Altogether an estimated 30 million persons throughout the world perished.

Text 2 Shortly after The Golden Clipper left Pago Pago, several of the crew members became ill with enterocolitis. Diarrhoea was the most frequent symptom, while some of the sick complained of constipation and sharp pains in the stomach. Since everyone who suffered this intestinal disorder had eaten at the same cafe, the ship’s doctor surmised that the crew members had contracted this disease by eating tainted fish. The government of the Philippines, however, fearing the spread of a contagion, refused to let the ship dock in Manila Bay. Instead, the whole crew was transferred to a lazaretto floating three miles offshore. A staff of doctors and nurses cared for those who were ill and carefully observed the other members for any signs of the malady. The crew had their blood, urine and faeces tested regularly. Fortunately, none of them died of the disease. When no new cases developed after three days, the Philippine doctors ruled out any possibility of a contagion. The ailing crew members were then transferred to a hospital in Manila, and the others were permitted to return to The Golden Clipper and dock in Manila Bay.

Vocabulary II

TASK 6. Use the words from the box to diagnose the disorders the people complain about:

(a) swelling an itch a bruise a bump a lump a boil a sprain a scab a scratch a gash a rash a graze

1. I suddenly twisted my ankle joint and now it’s extremely painful.

2. I have bleeding marks of my cat’s claws all over my right arm.

3. I have an uncomfortable feeling on my skin that makes me scratch it with my nails all the time.

4. I was slicing ham and suddenly my knife slipped out. As a result there is a dramatically deep cut between my thumb and the index finger.

5. After colliding with my big brother in the dark hall both of us have raised and swollen skin on our foreheads.

6. After the fight I am all covered in purple spots that have started to turn yellow.

7. I’m in a mess! Look at me! My lower lip is much larger than it should be! I think it’s infectious. It looks disgusting!

8. My cut is getting better, but there is still a hard layer of dried blood over it.

9. I know I’m allergic to prawns or shrimps and after eating them I’ll be covered in small red spots.

10. When I press the inner part of my left thigh I feel something small and hard inside, under the skin.

11. Wearing uncomfortable boots resulted in some painful areas on my heels and toes that are full of liquid.

12. Don’t you worry about me, though I feel off my bike I only have a minor wound on my knee that doesn’t even bleed.

TASK 7. Fill in the gaps with one of the words from the task above.

1. After my awkward fall on the football pitch, I thought my wrist might be broken, but it was just a bad _____.

2. A thick piece of glass fell on Rebecca’s head and blood poured from a deep _____in her forehead.

3. After the kids’ attempt to wash the cat, there were deep _____ all over their faces.

4. You'll need to go to the doctor to have that _____ lanced. – What will he do with it? – He will puncture and clean it.

5. In comparison studies, babies wearing these nappies seem to have _____ less often and less severely.

6. Research shows that not only women after 50 but also those who are much younger should never ignore a breast _____.

7. The wound is healing very well but don't pick at your _____ – you might make it bleed.

8. After the wasp stung her, Susanne had a _____ on her leg for days.

9. Monica fell down the stairs and had a big purple _____ just under her eye.

10. Ouch! I hit my head on this thick branch! - It's only a little _____ – nothing serious.

11. Adam walked away from the crash with just a _____ on his left shoulder; it only slightly bled.

12. That's a nasty _____ and there is quite a lot of blood. You might need stitches.

13. I got a small _____ on my hand when I fell onto some gravel.

14. I've got a terrible _____ where the mosquito bit me. – Just use this ointment, it will help.

TASK 8. Read the poem about a little girl’s ‘desire’ to go to school and fill in the table with the names of diseases and complaints the author has mentioned: