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Listen and Read: Listen to the recording, answer the questions, and then read along with the audio recording.

Last week, I suddenly became really sick, and I was feeling a great deal of pain in my side, so my father rushed me to the emergency room at the nearest hospital. I started feeling a strong pain in my side, and there wasn’t any sign that I was getting better. We didn’t feel that we needed to call an ambulance because we lived so close to the hospital. When we arrived, my dad helped me into the emergency room, and the doctor on duty realized I had appendicitis. I was quickly admitted to the hospital. A nurse took my vital signs (blood pressure, temperature, and pulse) while my dad filled out all the necessary paperwork. Soon thereafter, I was prepared for emergency surgery. The surgery didn’t last that long, but I felt sore afterwards. I was released the following day from the hospital, and I was back on my feet in a couple of days. No one likes to visit a hospital, but I’m glad we have them. Having good health insurance is also extremely important because medical costs are so expensive. This is particularly true for international students who are traveling abroad.

Discussion

Has someone in your family been admitted to the hospital due to a serious illness or other medical problem? If so, please explain the circumstances and the outcome.

Online Investigation

Having good health insurance is critical for anyone, whether you are single or have a family. However, all insurance plans are not the same. Now, check online for at least one excellent health insurance plan that covers oversea travel. How much does it cost and what does it cover exactly? Do you have to pay a doctor or hospital up front to be later reimbursed? How does payment work?

Online Listening Practice (from www.esl-lab.com):

• Medical Advice: What’s the Matter? : Listening Conversation
• Doctor’s Visit : Vocabulary Building