Exercise 1.
Match the words in italics with their opposites in the box on the right. The first one has
been done for you as an example.
Exercise 2.
Complete these sentences using the words from Exercise 1. Use one word from each pair
of opposites.
Extension. Work with a partner and test each other. One partner closes the book, while
the other asks questions such as "What's the opposite of back?".
Opposites 2
29
For reference see A & C Black Dictionary of Medical Terms (0 7136 7603 5).
1. The opposite of back is ……front……………………
2. The opposite of acute is ………………………………
3. The opposite of dead is …………………………………
4. The opposite of improve is ……………………………..
5. The opposite of healthy is ………………………………
6. The opposite of open is …………………………………
7. The opposite of major is ………………………………
8. The opposite of reduce is ……………………………..
9. The opposite of smooth is …………………………….
10. The opposite of benign is ……………………………….
alive
chronic
closed
deteriorate
front
ill
increase
malignant
minor
rough
1. She had an ________________ attack of shingles.
2. He became excited, causing his pulse rate to ________________.
3. He was very ill, but now his condition has begun to ________________.
4. The calf muscles are at the ________________ of the lower leg.
5. She put cream on her hands, which were ________________ from heavy work.
6. The tumour is ________________ and so may reappear even if removed surgically.
7. The hospital is ________________ to visitors from noon to five o'clock.
8. The doctor arrived too late: the patient was already ________________.
9. There's nothing wrong with you: you're completely ________________.
10. He had to undergo ________________ surgery on his heart.
These words are all used to talk about illnesses: their symptoms and effects. Tick the ones
you understand. Check the others in the dictionary.
Read the descriptions below and match them to the names of the illnesses in the box on
the right.
Symptoms & common illnesses 1
31
For reference see A & C Black Dictionary of Medical Terms (0 7136 7603 5).
1. allergic reaction 6. inflammation 11. resistance
2. blister 7. itchy 12. runny nose
3. cough 8. malformation 13. sneeze
4. fever 9. malaise 14. spot
5. infectious 10. rash 15. swelling
allergic rhinitis
coryza
infectious parotitis
influenza
pertussis
rubella
rubeola
varicella
1. An infectious disease of the upper respiratory tract with fever and
muscular aches, which is transmitted by a virus and can occur in
epidemics.
……………………………………………………………………
2. A common infectious viral disease of children, with mild fever,
swollen lymph nodes and a rash. It can cause stillbirth or
malformation of an unborn baby if the mother catches the
disease while pregnant.
……………………………………………………………………
3. An illness, with inflammation of the nasal passages, in which someone sneezes and coughs and
has a blocked and running nose.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
4. An infectious disease of children, caused by a herpes virus, and characterised by fever and red
spots which turn to itchy blisters.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
5. An infectious disease of children where the body is covered with a red rash. It can weaken the
body's resistance to other disease, especially bronchitis and ear infections. If caught by an adult it
can be very serious.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
6. An infectious disease of children, with fever and swellings in the salivary glands, caused by a
paramyxovirus.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
7. An infectious disease affecting the bronchial tubes, common in children and sometimes very
serious. The patient coughs very badly and makes a characteristic 'whoop' when inhaling after a
coughing fit.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
8. Inflammation in the nose and eyes caused by an allergic reaction to plant pollen, mould spores,
dust mites or animal hair.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
Exercise 1.
Many illnesses also have informal names. Match the informal and formal names listed
below. The first one has been done for you as an example.
Exercise 2.
Complete these six conversations between doctors and patients by writing in the name of
the illness. Use the informal terms from the table above.
Extension. Practise the conversations with a partner.
32
Symptoms & common illnesses 2
For reference see A & C Black Dictionary of Medical Terms (0 7136 7603 5).
INFORMAL FORMAL
1. Chickenpox is the same as allergic rhinitis
2. A cold is the same as infectious parotitis
3. The flu is the same as coryza
4. German measles is the same as influenza
5. Hay fever is the same as rubella
6. Measles is the same as rubeola
7. Mumps is the same as pertussis
8. Whooping cough is the same as varicella
1. What seems to be the trouble?
My eyes and my nose are running all the
time.
I feel terrible.
When did this begin?
At the beginning of July.
It's probably just ……………………………
2. What's the problem?
It's my son. He's got a rash and swelling in
his armpits.
Does he have a fever?
Yes.
Hmm. He may have………………………
3. How are you feeling?
I've got this terrible cough.
Mm-hmm.
And after I cough I make a noise when I try
to breathe.
Sounds like …………………………………
4. How are you today?
Oh, not very well. I've got a cough and a
terrible cold.
Do you have a fever?
Umm, yes I do.
It's probably a touch of ……………………
5. What's the problem?
It's my daughter. She's got a fever and this
swelling.
Where's the swelling?
In her throat.
It could be……………………………………
6. So, what can I do for you?
It's the twins. They're covered in these
dreadful red spots.
Are they experiencing any itching?
Yes, they are.
It may be……………………………………