At The Pharmacy

Language level: A2 – Pre-intermediate
Topic: Health and everyday services
Reading focus: Understanding important information and finding specific information
Estimated time: 30–40 minutes

 Before Reading
Preparation Task
Match the words (1–8) with the correct definitions (a–h).

Write the correct letter a–h next to each word.

Vocabulary

1._____ pharmacist.     

2._____ appointment.   

3._____ prescription

4._____ symptoms.   

5._____ advice

6._____ opening hours.   

 7._____ pharmacy. 

 8._____ medicine

Definitions (choose the correct one)

a. information that helps you decide what to do

b. a place where you can buy medicine

c. the times when a shop or service is open

d. a person who works in a pharmacy and gives information about medicines

e. a paper from a doctor that tells you which medicine you need

f. something you take when you are ill

g. signs that you are ill, for example, a cough or headache

h. a time that you arrange to see someone

 Reading Text
Green Street Pharmacy
Opening Hours
Monday–Friday: 8:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Sunday: Closed

 Information for Customers
You can visit Green Street Pharmacy to buy medicine, collect a prescription or ask the pharmacist for advice.

If your doctor gives you a prescription, bring it with you when you visit the pharmacy. The pharmacist can prepare your medicine for you.

The pharmacist can also give advice about common health problems, such as a cold, cough, headache or sore throat.

Please tell the pharmacist about any other medicines you are taking. This is important because some medicines should not be taken together.

If you have a serious health problem, contact your doctor. The pharmacist can give advice, but a pharmacist is not a doctor.

 Health Services
Green Street Pharmacy offers some simple health services.

You can ask for:

-a blood pressure check
-a weight check
-advice about healthy eating
-advice about stopping smoking
-Some services are free.

For some services, you need to make an appointment. Ask at the pharmacy counter if you need more information.

 Collecting Your Medicine
When your medicine is ready, the pharmacist will give it to you.

Before you leave the pharmacy, check:

-your name
-the name of the medicine
-the instructions for taking the medicine
-If you do not understand the instructions, ask the pharmacist to explain them.

Green Street Pharmacy is here to help.

 Tasks:
Task 1 – Choose the Correct Answer
Read the questions carefully. Choose A, B or C.

1. What time does Green Street Pharmacy open on Monday?
A. 8:00 a.m.
B. 8:30 a.m.
C. 9:00 a.m.

 2. When is Green Street Pharmacy closed?
A. Friday
B. Saturday
C. Sunday

 3. What should you bring when you collect medicine from a prescription?
A. Your prescription
B. Your passport
C. Your appointment card

 4. Who can give advice about a cough?
A. The pharmacist
B. The doctor only
C. The receptionist

 5. Why should you tell the pharmacist about other medicines you take?
A. Some medicines should not be taken together.
B. The pharmacy needs your medical history.
C. You cannot buy medicine without this information.

 6. Which health service does the pharmacy offer?
A. A blood pressure check
B. A dentist appointment
C. An eye operation

 7. What may you need for some health services?
A. A passport
B. An appointment
C. A prescription

 8. What should you do if you do not understand the medicine instructions?
A. Ask the pharmacist to explain them.
B. Stop taking the medicine.
C. Ask a friend to guess what they mean.

 Task 2 – True or False
Read the text again. Decide if each sentence is True or False.

Write True if the sentence agrees with the information in the text . Write False if the sentence does not agree with the information in the text.

1. Green Street Pharmacy is open on Sunday.  True / False

2. The pharmacy opens at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday.  True / False

 3. You can ask the pharmacist for advice about a headache.  True / False

 4. A pharmacist is a doctor. True / False

 5. The pharmacy offers a blood pressure check. True / False

 6. All the health services are free. True / False

 7. You may need an appointment for some services. True / False

 8. You should check your medicine before leaving the pharmacy. True / False

 Task 3 – Complete the Sentences
Choose the correct word from the box.

advice | appointment | medicine | pharmacist | pharmacy | prescription

1. You can buy __________ at Green Street Pharmacy.

2. A __________ can give you information about medicines.

3. You need a __________ from your doctor to collect some medicines.

4. You can ask the pharmacist for __________ about healthy eating.

5. You may need an __________ for some health services.

6. Green Street __________ is open from Monday to Saturday.

 Task 4 – Find the Information
Read the text and write short answers.

You do not need to write complete sentences.

1. What time does the pharmacy close on Friday?  
2. What time does the pharmacy close on Saturday? 
3. Name two common health problems the pharmacist can give advice about.
 4. Name two health services available at the pharmacy.  
5. What should you bring when you collect medicine from a prescription?
6. Who should you contact if you have a serious health problem?  
7. What three things should you check before leaving the pharmacy? 
 
 Task 5 – Vocabulary in Context
Read each sentence from the text. Choose the correct meaning of the bold word.

1. “You can visit Green Street Pharmacy to buy medicine, collect a prescription or ask the pharmacist for advice.”

What is a prescription? ___________

A. A paper from a doctor that tells you which medicine you need.

B. A bottle of medicine.

C. A meeting with a pharmacist.

 2. “Some services are free.”  What does free mean?

A. You need to pay.

B. You do not need to pay.

C. You need an appointment.

 3. “Check the instructions for taking the medicine.” What are instructions?

A. Information about how to use or take something.

B. Information about the pharmacy opening hours.

C. A doctor's name.

 4. “The pharmacist can give advice.” What does advice mean?

A. Information that helps you decide what to do.

B. A type of medicine.

C. A place where you buy medicine.

 Discussion
Talk to a partner or answer the questions yourself.

1. Do you often go to a pharmacy?_______________________

2. What can you usually buy at a pharmacy?________________

3. Have you ever asked a pharmacist for advice?_________________

4. What health problems can a pharmacist help you with?_______

5. Why is it important to understand the instructions on medicine?_________