Spanish
Grade 9
15 min
Simulacro en la Clínica (Clinic Simulation): Speaking Practice
Simulate a visit to a clinic and practice asking and answering questions about health problems.
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1
Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Describe common health symptoms using appropriate vocabulary and the verb 'doler'.
Formulate questions to ask a doctor about symptoms and treatments.
Give and receive medical advice and recommendations using the present subjunctive mood.
Understand and follow a doctor's instructions and prescription details.
Role-play a complete conversation between a patient and a doctor in a clinical setting.
Use expressions of duration, such as 'hace... que' to explain how long they have had symptoms.
Feeling sick but don't have the Spanish words to explain it? 🤒 Let's practice so you can confidently say more than just 'estoy enfermo'!
This tutorial will guide you through a simulated clinic visit, focusing on the key vocab...
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
Los SíntomasThe physical or mental signs that indicate a possible illness. These are the feelings you describe to the doctor.Tengo fiebre, tos y dolor de cabeza. (I have a fever, a cough, and a headache.)
El DiagnósticoThe identification of an illness or medical problem after an examination by a doctor.El diagnóstico es una gripe fuerte. (The diagnosis is a bad flu.)
La Receta MédicaA doctor's written instruction that authorizes a patient to be provided a medicine or treatment.Aquí tiene la receta médica para los antibióticos. (Here is the prescription for the antibiotics.)
El Subjuntivo para RecomendacionesA verb mood used to express recommendations, suggestions, or necessities, often following phrases like 'recomiendo que', 'sugiero que', o...
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Grammar Rules & Patterns
Using the Subjunctive for Advice
Trigger Phrase + 'que' + Different Subject + Verb in Subjunctive
When giving advice or making a recommendation, use trigger phrases like 'Recomiendo que...', 'Es necesario que...', 'Sugiero que...'. If the subject of the main clause is different from the subject of the subordinate clause, the verb in the subordinate clause must be in the subjunctive mood. For example, 'Yo recomiendo que tú descanses'.
Constructing Sentences with 'Doler'
Indirect Object Pronoun + duele/duelen + (article) + Body Part
To say something hurts, use an indirect object pronoun (me, te, le, nos, os, les) to indicate who is in pain. Use 'duele' for a singular body part and 'duelen' for a pl...
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Challenging
A patient tells the doctor: 'Me duele todo el cuerpo y tengo escalofríos. Hace un día que me siento así.' Based on this, what is the doctor's most logical response that uses the subjunctive?
A.Entiendo. Es probable que tenga la gripe. Recomiendo que usted descanse y beba muchos líquidos.
B.Gracias. Usted tiene la gripe y usted descansa y bebe muchos líquidos.
C.Bueno. ¿Por qué le duele el cuerpo? Es importante que usted me dice más.
D.Parece que usted tuvo la gripe. Recomiendo que usted descansó mucho.
Challenging
Evaluate the following sentences. Which one demonstrates the most advanced and accurate application of the concepts (doler, hace...que, subjunctive) taught in the tutorial?
A.Doctor, me duelen los ojos. Hace dos días que soy así. Recomiendo que me da una receta.
B.Tengo dolor de cabeza. Hace mucho que estoy enfermo. Es necesario que yo tomo medicina.
C.Me siento muy mal. A mí me duele la espalda y hace una semana que no duermo bien. ¿Es importante que yo tome algo para el dolor?
D.Estoy aquí porque me duele el oído. Hace un día que lo tengo. ¿Qué sugiere que yo hago?
Challenging
A patient has an ear infection. The doctor gives a diagnosis and says: 'Le voy a dar una receta para unas gotas. Es crucial que usted se las ponga cada doce horas.' What must the patient understand from this instruction?
A.The doctor is giving them a receipt for some pills to take every 12 hours.
B.The doctor is prescribing ear drops that must be used twice a day.
C.The doctor thinks it's a good idea to put drops in their ears every so often.
D.The doctor is giving them a prescription for a shot to be administered every 12 hours.
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