Touchstone 2nd Edition Language summary Level 2

Unit 3 Lesson B: Aches and pains

Vocabulary
Illnesses
cough
sneeze
get / have a (terrible) cold
get / have a headache
get / have a sore throat
get / have a stomachache
get / have the flu
get sick
have an allergy / allergies
have a bad cough
have a fever
have a toothache
have an upset stomach

(n / v)
(v)
(v)
(v)
(v)
(v)
(v)
(v)
(v)
(v)
(v)
(v)
(v)

Talking about health

medicine
sleep
feel awful
feel better
feel run down
feel sick
feel terrible
gargle salt water
suck on a cough drop
take medicine

(n)
(n)
(v)
(v)
(v)
(v)
(v)
(v)
(v)
(v)

Cambridge University Press 2014

Unit 3, Lesson B, Page 1

Touchstone 2nd Edition Language summary Level 2

Other words
if
when
honey
vinegar
stretch

(conj)
(conj)
(n)
(n)
(v)

Grammar
Joining clauses with if and when
You can join clauses with if and when:
I take medicine. I have a cold.
I take medicine if I have a cold.
or
I take medicine when I have a cold.
These sentences mean "I take medicine every time I have a cold."

You can also use if or when at the beginning of sentences. Put a comma at the end of the first
clause:
If I have a cold, I take medicine.
or
When I have a cold, I take medicine.
These sentences also mean "I take medicine every time I have a cold."

Cambridge University Press 2014

Unit 3, Lesson B, Page 2

Touchstone 2nd Edition Language summary Level 2

If or when?
If and when have similar meanings.
Use when for usual events or things you often or sometimes do:
A What do you take when you have a cold?
B I don't take anything when I have a cold.

Use if to talk about unusual events or things you don't often do:
A What do you do if you get a really bad cold?
B If I get a really bad cold, I drink hot vinegar with honey.

Cambridge University Press 2014

Unit 3, Lesson B, Page 3