My stomach had other plans
Introduction
Warm up
Have you ever experienced sudden stomach pain or indigestion?
Why do people sometimes use humor or exaggeration to describe pain or discomfort?
What kinds of food usually cause digestive problems?
Speaking
Dialog
Ethan:
Good morning, Doctor. I wasn’t planning to see you today, but apparently my stomach had other plans.
It seems to have declared independence from the rest of my body.
And I’m not sure I approve of its leadership.
Dr. Harris:
I see. Your stomach scheduled an emergency appointment without consulting you?That’s quite inconsiderate of it.
We should file a formal complaint with your digestive department.
Ethan:
Exactly. It started with a dull ache, but then it escalated into something that felt like a tiny dragon breathing fire inside me.
And unfortunately, this dragon seems very motivated.
It’s acting as if it’s training for a championship.
Dr. Harris:
That’s quite a vivid description. On a scale from one to ten, how intense is this “dragon”?
Is it more of a campfire or a full volcanic eruption?
Or are we approaching mythical catastrophe levels?
Ethan:
Around a seven. It’s not unbearable, but it’s definitely not friendly.
Let’s just say it’s aggressively uncomfortable.
It’s distracting enough to ruin my entire morning.
Dr. Harris:
Have you experienced nausea, dizziness, or a fever?
Any other symptoms that might help me tame this dragon?
Details matter in detective work like this.
Ethan:
I felt slightly nauseous earlier, but I haven’t fainted or anything dramatic.
No heroic collapses in public, thankfully.
My dignity remains mostly intact.
Dr. Harris:
Good. Let me examine you. Please lie down and try to relax.
Take a slow breath; we’ll investigate this scientifically.
Medicine is less about panic and more about precision.
(After examination)
Dr. Harris:
It doesn’t appear to be anything serious. Most likely, it’s indigestion. Did you eat anything unusual yesterday?
Perhaps something your stomach considered… controversial?
Anything involving extreme levels of cheese, perhaps?
Ethan:
Well… I may have participated in an ambitious pizza experiment. Four different types of cheese.In hindsight, it was a bold but questionable decision.
I now realize my digestive system prefers moderation.
Dr. Harris:
Ah, culinary bravery often has consequences.
Your digestive system prefers diplomacy over revolution.
Next time, negotiate with it before declaring war.
Vocabulary
[file a formal complaint, dull ache, vivid description, unbearable, collapses, tame this dragon, That’s quite inconsiderate of it, campfire, fainted, dizziness, scheduled an appointment, In hindsight]
| Definition (English) | Portuguese Translation | Sample Sentence |
|---|
file a formal complaint | To officially report a problem to an authority or organization | registrar uma reclamação formal | She decided to file a formal complaint about the poor service. |
dull ache | A continuous, mild but uncomfortable pain | dor leve e constante | I had a dull ache in my back after sitting for hours. |
vivid description | A detailed and clear explanation that creates a strong image | descrição vívida / detalhada | His vivid description made the story feel real. |
unbearable | Too painful or unpleasant to tolerate | insuportável | The heat was unbearable during the afternoon. |
collapses | Suddenly falls down, often due to weakness or illness | desmaios / colapsos | The runner collapses after crossing the finish line. |
tame this dragon | (Figurative) To control or reduce a strong problem, pain, or emotion | controlar esse “dragão” (metáfora para dor/problema) | The medicine helped tame this dragon in my stomach. |
That’s quite inconsiderate of it | A humorous way to say something is inconvenient or rude | Isso é bastante inconveniente / falta de consideração | My alarm clock rang at 5 a.m. — that’s quite inconsiderate of it! |
campfire | A small outdoor fire used for warmth or cooking | fogueira | We sat around the campfire telling stories. |
fainted | Lost consciousness briefly | desmaiou | She fainted because she hadn’t eaten all day. |
dizziness | The feeling that everything is spinning or that you may fall | tontura | He experienced dizziness after standing up too quickly. |
scheduled an appointment | Arranged a specific time to meet a professional | agendou uma consulta | I scheduled an appointment with the dentist for next week. |
In hindsight | Looking back and understanding a situation better afterward | em retrospectiva | In hindsight, I should have studied more for the exam. |
Critical Thinking
Why does Ethan describe his stomach pain as a “dragon breathing fire”?
How does Dr. Harris use humor during the consultation? Do you think this makes him more professional, less professional, or more relatable? Why?
What lesson can be learned from Ethan’s “ambitious pizza experiment”?
Exercises
Why does Ethan say his stomach “declared independence” from the rest of his body? What does this expression suggest about how he is feeling?
How does Dr. Harris respond to Ethan’s dramatic descriptions of pain? What does this tell us about the doctor’s personality and communication style?
How intense is Ethan’s pain, and how does he describe it on a scale from one to ten?What clues show that the pain is uncomfortable but not severe?
What symptoms does Dr. Harris ask about, and why are those details important for diagnosis?
What caused Ethan’s indigestion, and how does he reflect on his decision afterward?What does the phrase “In hindsight” reveal about his perspective?
What message about moderation and consequences can be learned from Ethan’s “ambitious pizza experiment”?
Fill in the blanks
Instructions: Complete the sentences using the words from the vocabulary section. Use each expression only once.
Word bank: file a formal complaint • dull ache • vivid description • unbearable • collapses • tame this dragon • That’s quite inconsiderate of it • campfire • fainted • dizziness • scheduled an appointment • In hindsight
I had a __________ in my shoulder after carrying my backpack all day.
The pain became so intense that it was almost __________.
His __________ of the accident made everyone imagine the scene clearly.
She decided to __________ after receiving poor customer service.
The runner suddenly __________ after crossing the finish line.
The doctor gave me medicine to help __________ in my stomach.
I felt sudden __________ when I stood up too quickly.
He __________ during the ceremony because he hadn’t eaten anything.
We sat around the __________ and told stories late into the night.
My phone rang at 3 a.m. — __________!
I __________ with the dentist for next Monday.
__________, I probably shouldn’t have eaten that entire pizza alone.
Challenge Section
Story telling
Storytelling is the art of communicating ideas, emotions, or messages through a story instead of just giving information.
Tell short story about someone who issues with food and had to visit a doctor.
Role play
For this exercise, you will practice using the vocabulary related to this dialog by acting out a role-play scenario.
Include the words provided in the vocabulary section.
Produce
Create Your Own Dialog
Instructions:
Using the new words/expressions you’ve learned.
Personal experience
Talk about your past experience with the topic.
