In this section you will watch, analyse and practise a short medical presentation.
1. A medical presentation.
Watch Part 1, the introduction of a medical presentation. What does the speaker do? Choose the correct options to complete the sentences. Then watch Parts 2 and 3 of the presentation and answer the questions further down the page.
Part 1
Watch the next section of the presentation. Are the sentences true or false, according to the speaker?
Part 2
Part 3
4. Linking ideas and information.
Choose the correct options to complete the last section of the presentation. Then watch the video again to check your answers.
5. Watch and read.
The phrases below introduce different sections of the speaker’s presentation. Put them in the order that they occur.
Now watch the video again and read the complete presentation.
6. Pronunciation: Pausing and phrasing.
Listen to part of the presentation. Where does the speaker pause? Select the word before each pause. The first one has been done for you.
Read the next part of the presentation. Where does the speaker pause? Select the word before each pause. The first one has been done for you.
7. Expressing facts and opinions.
Read the text below. What does each sentence express: a fact or an opinion? Choose the correct option after each sentence.
| It is |
arguably possibly perhaps undoubtedly surely |
becoming one of our most serious concerns. | |
|
It is a commonly held belief that ... Scientists believe that ... |
8. Expressing facts and opinions.
Choose the correct options to complete an article about garlic and cholesterol levels.
9. Linking ideas and information: Concession and contrast.
When we present an opinion we often link ideas with expressions of contrast or concession. With some linkers it is possible to change the word order to change the focus of the sentence:
Despite it being difficult to prove scientifically, there is a lot of circumstantial evidence to suggest a connection between stress and heart disease.
There is a lot of circumstantial evidence to suggest a connection between stress and heart disease, despite it being difficult to prove scientifically.
With other linkers this is not possible:
Garlic does not seem to have any effect on cholesterol levels. On the other hand, it may prevent cardiovascular disease in other ways.
NOT: On the other hand it may prevent cardiovascular disease in other ways. Garlic does not seem to have any effect on cholesterol levels.
Look at the examples below and decide if the sentences are correct or incorrect.
10. Linking ideas and information: Concession and contrast.
Choose the correct option to complete the sentences.
11. Describing cause and effect.
Describing cause and effect is a common feature in presentations and discussions.
For example:
A decrease in physical activity (a cause) results in an increase in weight problems of young people (an effect).
Watch part of the presentation again. You will hear a number of examples where the speaker describes the relationship between things, as well as causes and effects. How many examples of these can you hear?
Click here to see our answer.
Match the parts of the sentences describing cause and effect. This exercise is in two parts. Scroll down to see Part 2.
Part 1.
Part 2.
12. Cause and effect.
Use the words to complete the tables with more useful linkers.
When you provide evidence and give reasons in your presentation, you will need to use linkers. Look at the examples:
Young people are more overweight because they are less active.
Because young people are less active, they are more overweight.young people are more overweight = the effect
they are less active = the cause
Use the words to complete the tables with more useful linkers.
Cause 
Effect
Effect 
Cause
Relationships