At the Pharmacy: Basic English
Practice everyday pharmacy conversations, from asking for products to understanding simple messages and labels.
Preview
Questions with solutions-
1. Chagua jibu sahihi.
You want medicine for a cough. What can you say?
- Do you have anything for a headache?
- Do you have anything for a cough?
- Do you have anything for an earache?
Use the health problem named in the situation.
Show solution
- Do you have anything for a cough?
“Do you have anything for…?” is a common way to ask for a product for a health problem.
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2. Chagua jibu sahihi.
What does the customer want?
Customer: "I'd like a small box of bandages, please."
- A small box of bandages.
- A large box of bandages.
- One bandage, without a box.
Notice both the size and the package.
Show solution
- A small box of bandages.
“I'd like…” is a polite way to ask for something in a store.
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3. Chagua jibu sahihi.
What is the customer asking about?
Customer: "Can I pay by card?"
- Whether the price is lower today.
- Whether a receipt is available.
- Whether the pharmacy accepts card payments.
The customer wants to know how they can pay.
Show solution
- Whether the pharmacy accepts card payments.
You can say “pay by card” or “pay with a card.”
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4. Chagua jibu sahihi.
Where is the toothpaste?
Employee: "The toothpaste is next to the shampoo."
- Below the shampoo.
- Beside the shampoo.
- Across from the shampoo.
The two products are side by side.
Show solution
- Beside the shampoo.
“Next to” and “beside” describe the same position.
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5. Chagua jibu sahihi.
When does the pharmacy close today?
Employee: "We close at six this evening."
- At six in the morning.
- At seven in the evening.
- At six in the evening.
Notice the time and the part of the day.
Show solution
- At six in the evening.
“This evening” means the evening of today, not tomorrow.
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6. Chagua jibu sahihi.
What form of medicine is the customer asking for?
Customer: "I can't swallow tablets. Do you have this medicine as a liquid?"
- Medicine in liquid form.
- Smaller tablets.
- A cream for the skin.
The customer asks for a different form, not a different tablet size.
Show solution
- Medicine in liquid form.
“Swallow” means to move food, drink, or medicine from your mouth down your throat.
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7. Chagua jibu sahihi.
What does the customer need to bring?
Customer: "Do I need a prescription for this?"
Pharmacist: "Yes, please bring one from your doctor."- A receipt from another pharmacy.
- A prescription from a doctor.
- A note with the medicine's price.
“One” refers to something the customer just asked about.
Show solution
- A prescription from a doctor.
A prescription is an order from a doctor for a patient's medicine.
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8. Chagua jibu sahihi.
What can the customer say next?
Customer: "The medicine is for my son."
Pharmacist: "How old is he?"- He's at home with his father.
- He's had a cough since yesterday.
- He's eight years old.
The pharmacist is asking about age.
Show solution
- He's eight years old.
In this exchange, “he” refers to the customer's son.
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9. Chagua jibu sahihi.
You have an allergy to a medicine. What can you say to the pharmacist?
- I'm allergic to this medicine.
- I don't like the taste of this medicine.
- I've never used this medicine.
Not liking a taste is different from having an allergy.
Show solution
- I'm allergic to this medicine.
Use “allergic to” before the name of a medicine or another thing that causes an allergy.
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10. Chagua jibu sahihi.
Why does the customer want a private place?
Customer: "I'd like to ask about a health problem. Could we speak somewhere private?"
- To speak after the pharmacy closes.
- To speak away from other customers.
- To speak with a different pharmacist.
Think about who can hear the conversation.
Show solution
- To speak away from other customers.
“Somewhere private” means a place where other people cannot easily hear or see you.
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11. Chagua jibu sahihi.
What does the pharmacist mean?
Pharmacist: "We're out of this shampoo, but we have a different brand."
- The requested shampoo is on another shelf.
- The requested shampoo is only available in larger bottles.
- The requested shampoo is not available now.
The pharmacist offers a different brand because the requested one is missing.
Show solution
- The requested shampoo is not available now.
“We're out of…” means a store has none of that product left.
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12. Chagua jibu sahihi.
What might happen after taking this medicine?
Pharmacist: "This medicine may make you feel sleepy."
- You might want to sleep.
- You might want to eat.
- You might want to drink.
Focus on the feeling the pharmacist names.
Show solution
- You might want to sleep.
“May” means something is possible; it does not mean it will definitely happen.
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13. Chagua jibu sahihi.
Which place matches the label?
Label: "Store in a cool, dry place."
- On a shelf above a hot stove.
- In a cupboard away from heat and water.
- In a bathroom that gets warm and wet.
The place must match both words: “cool” and “dry.”
Show solution
- In a cupboard away from heat and water.
On a label, “store” means to keep something in a place until you need it.
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14. Chagua jibu sahihi.
You understood most of the pharmacist's explanation, but missed the last part. What can you say?
- Could you repeat only the first part, please?
- Could you explain a different medicine, please?
- Could you repeat the last part, please?
Ask to hear the part you missed again.
Show solution
- Could you repeat the last part, please?
“Could you…?” makes a request polite. “Repeat” means to say something again.
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15. Chagua jibu sahihi.
What should the customer do to get the medicine?
Customer: "Is my medicine ready?"
Pharmacist: "We have your prescription, but the medicine isn't ready yet. Please come back after lunch."- Return after lunch to pick up the medicine.
- Bring a new prescription before lunch.
- Ask the doctor to send the prescription.
The pharmacy already has the prescription. Notice when the customer should return.
Show solution
- Return after lunch to pick up the medicine.
“Pick up” can mean to collect something that is waiting for you.