Getting a Cold

A. Reading – Cloze Exercise – Fill the blanks with the word that you think
best fits.

Lucy has a cold. Her nose is blocked, she coughs a lot, and she has a sore throat. She felt fine last
night, but now she is very _____. Lucy wants to go ______ and rest, but she thinks she can’t. She is a
student and her essay is due today. She needs to proof read it and print it so the teacher gets it on
time. Lucy’s ________ is very strict. He told Lucy that the _______ must be handed in on time. There
are eighteen _________ in the class, and they are all very busy writing their essays. Hopefully, they
won’t catch Lucy’s _______. If the other students catch colds, they might take several days off
school and miss out on study.

B. True, False or Not Given

1. ________ Lucy is sick.

2. ________ All twenty students are busy.

3. ________ Lucyr’s teacher is on holiday.

4. ________ Students need to be good at writing.

C. Yes or No? – Share your opinion.

1. ________ Lucy should stay at school.

2. ________Lucy should go home immediately and rest.

3. ________ The other students should avoid touching their nose, eyes, and mouth.

4. ________ Lucy should cover her mouth when she coughs.

5. ________ It’s okay if Lucy hands her essay in late.

6. ________ Lucy should ask the teacher if she can go home.

7. ________ Lucy should go straight to the doctor.

D. Writing – Brainstorm – What do you think Lucy should do? Give reasons for your decisions.

A. Cloze exercise - Answer

Lucy has a cold. Her nose is stuffed up, she coughs a lot, and she has a sore throat. She felt fine
last night, but now she is very sick. Lucy wants to go home and rest, but she can’t. She is a
student and her essay is due today. She needs to proof read it and print it so the teacher gets it
on time. Lucy’s teacher is very strict. He told Lucy that the essay must be handed in on time.
There are eighteen students in the class, and they are all very busy writing their essays.
Hopefully, they won’t catch Lucy’s cold. If the other students catch colds, they might take
several days off school and miss out on study.

B. True, False or Not Given

1. ______T__ Lucy is sick.

2. ______F__ All twenty students are busy.

3. ______F__ Lucy’s teacher is on holiday.

4. _____NG___ Students need to be good at writing.

Note: In section C & D try to elicit correct procedures for students who are feeling ill whilst at
school – i.e. asking to visit the school nurse.

It may also be useful to elicit a response from students as to what procedures they should
follow if they are too ill to attend school in a situation such as that given above.