Page 54 - Grasp English C1 (Workbook)

5 WELL-BEING

C. Read the essay. Fill in the blanks A–E with the sentences below.

1. Self-prescribing medication with over-the-counter drugs or antibiotics is even more serious.
2. As a result, it is paramount that health information on the Internet is accurate.
3. This is usually done by a doctor.
4. This can provide people with prompt, free advice and peace of mind.
5. People might mistake a brain aneurysm for a headache and reach for some pills when the truth is
far more serious.

Should people use the internet to self-diagnose their illnesses?

In order to treat a serious illness, a formal diagnosis is necessary. A_____ _____. However, more and more
people are using the Internet to look up symptoms when they feel under the weather or have a condition
which troubles them. 1 On the other hand / Consequently, there is an important debate as to whether
this practice does more harm than good and how the public should be educated as a result.

Self-diagnosis can result in serious problems, 2 therefore/ since most members of the general public
have little education in medical issues. Self-diagnosing can easily cause people to misdiagnose an
illness. B_____ _____. The reverse is also true. People could become anxious hypochondriacs, worrying
that the most minor ailment is a symptom of a life-threatening disease. C_____ _____. Doing so can 3 be
caused by / result in allergic reactions or resistance to medication.
4 Although / Nevertheless, many people have experienced situations when they have looked up their
symptoms online, and found a sensible explanation and a recommended course of action. D_____ _____.
It may also result in them seeking appropriate medical advice sooner. Sometimes, well-informed patients
are 5 subsequently / particularly able to correctly critique a doctor’s diagnosis and get a second opinion,
which could save their life.
To 6 sum up / be fair, self-diagnosis on the Internet is common, and it is unlikely that people could be
discouraged from this practice. E_____ _____. To this end, people must be taught about the dangers of
websites that are not credible and self-prescribing drugs.

D. Circle the correct linking words.

E. Write a for and against essay entitled: Should doctors be able to prescribe medication for
themselves and their families? Use ideas from the boxes below and/or your own ideas.

For Against

It is legal in many countries. It is not objective. Emotional attachment can
lead to misdiagnosis.
It is a doctor’s duty.
It can lead to addictions.
Doctors have enough knowledge to prescribe
appropriate medicines. Prescriptions are not recorded.

It avoids booking and waiting for Another doctor could unknowingly provide
appointments and can save costs. other medication which interacts with that
provided by the family member.

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