Everyday English (Vocabulary Building)

Topic: Health & Illness

Lesson Notes May 27, 2025 (Vocabulary Building)

Words & Phrases

• What’s the time difference between there and here?

• From the bus all we could see was farmland.

• Farmland surrounded both sides of the road.

• The road was surrounded by farmland on both sides.

• There was farmland on both sides of the road.

• On the first day of the trip a lot of people were (nodding / dozing) off because of jet lag.

• A lot of the side dishes were pickled cabbage, pickled beets, and other pickled vegetables.

• Pickled (adj); Preserved in a salty or vinegary liquid, often to enhance flavour and prevent spoilage.

• I love the sharp taste of pickled onions.

• Pickled vegetables are common in many cuisines.

• Pickles (noun, usually plural); Vegetables (often cucumbers) that have been preserved in vinegar or brine, commonly eaten as a condiment or snack.

• She added pickles to her sandwich.

• The jar was full of spicy pickles.

• How was your European tour? (Use “tour” for guided, scheduled trips with a group.)

• I took a trip to Italy for two weeks. (Use “trip” for general travel you plan yourself; NOT private tour)

• I had (high / big) expectations for Vienna, but it was crowded due to over-tourism. (‘High expectations’ is more common and idiomatic than ‘big expectations’)

Health & Illness

Section 5

• What seems to be the (matter / problem)?

• ‘Matter’ is polite and general, often used to ask if someone is okay or if something is wrong.

• ‘Problem’ is more direct and used when there is a clear issue or difficulty that needs fixing.

• ‘Anything that might have disagreed with you?’ (“Disagreed with you” means “did not agree with your body” — in other words, it caused some discomfort like stomach upset, allergy, or sickness.)

• Tablet (noun); A flat or round solid medicine, often have a smooth surface and can be split or coated.

• Pill (noun); A small round or oval solid medicine, usually swallowed whole. “Pill” is a more general, everyday word and can refer to any small medicine you swallow; such as tablets, capsules etc.