EnglishFeeling Unwell
Solve the words, then talk about a time you were ill.
- headache (pain in your head)
- cough (air that comes out of your throat suddenly)
- fever (a high body temperature)
- doctor (a person who helps ill people)
- rest (time to relax and recover)
Talk together
- When was the last time you were ill? What did you do?
- What symptoms did you have?
- Did you see a doctor?
- What helped?
Health Words
Say the words, point to the body part where possible, and use the examples.
- headache [/ˈhedeɪk/]
- pain in your head
I have a headache. - stomach ache [/ˈstʌmək eɪk/]
- pain in your stomach
I have a stomach ache. - sore throat [/sɔː θrəʊt/]
- pain in your throat
I have a sore throat. - cough [/kɒf/]
- air that comes out of your throat suddenly
I have a bad cough. - fever [/ˈfiːvə/]
- a high body temperature when you are ill
She has a fever. - backache [/ˈbækeɪk/]
- pain in your back
My backache is very painful. - runny nose [/ˌrʌni ˈnəʊz/]
- a nose with liquid coming from it
I have a runny nose. - medicine [/ˈmedɪsən/]
- something you take when you are ill
Take this medicine after food. - doctor [/ˈdɒktə/]
- a person who treats ill people
The doctor is busy today. - appointment [/əˈpɔɪntmənt/]
- an arranged time to see a doctor
I have a doctor’s appointment at ten. - patient [/ˈpeɪʃənt/]
- a person receiving medical care
The patient feels ill. - healthy diet [/ˌhelθi ˈdaɪət/]
- food that is good for your body
A healthy diet gives you energy. - exercise [/ˈeksəsaɪz/]
- physical activity to keep healthy
Exercise is good for your heart. - rest [/rest/]
- time to relax and recover
You need rest after a fever. - smoke [/sməʊk/]
- to use cigarettes or tobacco
Do not smoke in the hospital.
Useful patterns
Pattern | Example |
|---|---|
have a + symptom | I have a cough. |
have a + pain | I have a stomach ache. |
my + body part + hurts | My back hurts. |
have a fever | She has a fever. |
How Strong Is the Message?
The obligation scale
should → have to → must
Modal | Meaning | Source | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
should | advice; a good idea | a recommendation | You should rest. |
have to | an external obligation | a doctor, school, job, or rule | You have to show your appointment card. |
must | a very strong obligation | the speaker thinks it is extremely important | You must call the doctor. |
Negative forms
Form | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
mustn’t | prohibition: it is not allowed | You mustn’t smoke here. |
don’t have to | no necessity: it is optional | You don’t have to come early. |
shouldn’t | advice against something | You shouldn’t eat so much junk food. |
Important: mustn’t and don’t have to are very different.
Situation | Meaning |
|---|---|
You mustn’t smoke in the clinic. | Smoking is prohibited. |
You don’t have to bring food. | Bringing food is optional. |
Form
Subject | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
I / You / We / They | must + base verb | You must rest. |
He / She / It | must + base verb | She must take medicine. |
I / You / We / They | should + base verb | You should exercise. |
He / She / It | should + base verb | He should see a doctor. |
I / You / We / They | have to + base verb | We have to wear masks. |
He / She / It | has to + base verb | She has to make an appointment. |
Use the base verb after must and should.
You must go to the doctor.
You should rest.
Use have to / has to + base verb.
I have to take medicine.
He has to wear clean shoes.
Compare the situations
Situation | Best modal | Why? |
|---|---|---|
Your friend has a small headache. | You should drink water. | Friendly advice |
The clinic requires a mask. | You have to wear a mask. | An outside rule |
Someone has chest pain and cannot breathe well. | You must call emergency services. | Very strong, urgent obligation |
Common mistakes
Incorrect | Correct | Why? |
|---|---|---|
You don’t must smoke. | You mustn’t smoke. | Use mustn’t for prohibition. |
You must not to go. | You must not go. | No to after must. |
You should to rest. | You should rest. | No to after should. |
She have to rest. | She has to rest. | Use has to with he, she, and it. |
Choose the Best Modal
Connect each situation with its meaning
Read each health situation and connect it to the correct function.
Connect each situation with its meaning
- The clinic says patients have to wear masks.
- external obligation
- I think you need urgent medical help.
- strong obligation
- You have a mild cold and feel tired.
- advice
- Food is forbidden in this room.
- prohibition
Complete each sentence
Choose the modal that gives the intended meaning.
- The doctor says I [___] take this medicine twice a day.
- You have a small headache. You [___] drink some water and rest.
- Visitors [___] smoke in the hospital.
- You [___] bring food because the hospital café is open.
Type the correct modal
Choose from the words in brackets and complete each sentence.
- Choose must or should: You [___] see a doctor if you have a very high fever.
- Choose have to or should: My school says I [___] wear clean sports shoes in PE.
- Choose shouldn’t or mustn’t: You [___] eat so much sugar; it is bad for your teeth.
- Choose mustn’t or don’t have to: You [___] take medicine without reading the instructions.
Healthy Living Tips
Read this practical advice and look for should, must, and have to.
Healthy Living Tips
A healthy lifestyle does not have to be difficult. You should eat fruit and vegetables every day, drink water, and sleep for seven or eight hours. You should also exercise three times a week. At our local sports centre, members have to wear clean sports shoes and bring a towel. They do not have to join a class; they can exercise alone. At the clinic, patients must show their appointment card before they see the doctor. You must not smoke inside the building. If you have a high fever, a bad cough, or a sore throat for several days, you should call the doctor. You must take emergency symptoms seriously, especially chest pain or difficulty breathing. Ask the doctor if you have to take medicine, and follow the instructions carefully.
Mark the text
- Underline should.
- Circle must / must not.
- Box have to / do not have to.
Answer the questions
- What healthy habits does the text recommend every day?
- What do members have to wear at the sports centre?
- What is optional at the sports centre?
- When should a patient call the doctor?
Difficult words
- members — people who belong to a club or sports centre
- towel — cloth used for drying your body
- appointment card — a card with information about your arranged visit
- emergency symptoms — signs of a serious health problem needing quick help
- chest pain — pain in the front of your upper body
- difficulty breathing — problems getting enough air
- follow the instructions — do exactly what the directions say
What to Remember
The modal scale
Modal | Main message | Example |
|---|---|---|
should | good advice | You should rest. |
have to | outside rule or requirement | You have to show your appointment card. |
must | very strong obligation | You must take chest pain seriously. |
Negative meanings
Form | Meaning |
|---|---|
mustn’t | prohibited; not allowed |
don’t have to | optional; not necessary |
shouldn’t | a bad idea; advice against it |
Medical vocabulary card
- headache
- stomach ache
- sore throat
- cough
- fever
- backache
- runny nose
- medicine
- doctor
- appointment
- patient
- healthy diet
- exercise
- rest
- smoke
Decide if each statement is correct.
Say three health sentences
- One sentence with should.
- One sentence with have to.
- One sentence with mustn’t.
