Ugh! My sinuses!

 [A B2-C1 listening practice]

 * The answer keys and the text transcript are at the end of this page.    

NOTE to teachers: you're free to use this practice in your classes, but please make sure you mention the source so that other people can use the material and learn English for free. Thanks! Source:

http://anascatena.blogspot.com

         

Pre-Listening Activity: True or False                 

A neti pot

 

 I. Before listening to the story, read the statements below about sinus problems. Decide if each statement is True (T) or False (F). Then, discuss your answers with a partner.

1️⃣ Sinus infections can cause headaches and pressure around the eyes and forehead. (T / F)

2️⃣ Drinking cold beverages helps clear up sinus congestion. (T / F)

3️⃣ Sinuses are connected to your teeth, which is why sinus problems can sometimes cause tooth pain. (T / F)

4️⃣ Using a neti pot or saline spray can help relieve sinus congestion. (T / F)

5️⃣ Sinus issues only happen in the winter and are not related to allergies. (T / F)

Listening:

II. Click here to listen to the story and review your true or false statements and make any necessary changes.

                   

Post-Listening Activity: Answer the Questions

III. Now that you’ve listened to the story, answer the following questions in complete sentences. Listen to it as many times as necessary. Then, check your answers in the answer key .

1️⃣ What are the first symptoms the speaker notices when her sinuses act up?
2️⃣ Why does the speaker feel both congested and have a runny nose at the same time?
3️⃣ What home remedies and treatments does the speaker try?
4️⃣ How does the speaker describe the feeling of a sinus headache?
5️⃣ What does the speaker wish she could do about her sinuses?

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Vocabulary Practice: Match the Words

IV. Match the words from the story to their definitions. Then, check your answers in the answer key below:

Word	Definition
1️⃣ Congested	a) A pain or pressure in the head, often caused by sinus issues
2️⃣ Sinuses	b) A thick liquid that comes from the nose when you’re sick
3️⃣ Headache	c) Feeling blocked or full, making it hard to breathe
4️⃣ Nasal spray	d) Spaces inside the face connected to the nose
5️⃣ Mucus	e) A medicine that helps clear the nose when congested

📝 Extension Activity: Use at least three of these words in original sentences!

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🔹 Answer Key: Pre-listening

1️⃣ Sinus infections can cause headaches and pressure around the eyes and forehead. (✅ True)

2️⃣ Drinking cold beverages helps clear up sinus congestion. (❌ False – Warm drinks like tea help more.)

3️⃣ Sinuses are connected to your teeth, which is why sinus problems can sometimes cause tooth pain. (✅ True)

4️⃣ Using a neti pot or saline spray can help relieve sinus congestion. (✅ True)

5️⃣ Sinus issues only happen in the winter and are not related to allergies. (❌ False – Allergies can also cause sinus problems, even in warm weather.)       

Answer key: Post-Listening

1️⃣ What are the first symptoms the speaker notices when her sinuses act up?
✅ She feels pressure in her face, a stuffy nose, and a sinus headache.

2️⃣ Why does the speaker feel both congested and have a runny nose at the same time?
✅ Because mucus builds up inside her sinuses but also drips down, making her nose run.

3️⃣ What home remedies and treatments does the speaker try?
✅ She drinks warm tea, uses a nasal spray, and takes steam showers to help clear her sinuses.

4️⃣ How does the speaker describe the feeling of a sinus headache?
✅ Like a heavy pressure around her forehead, nose, and eyes that makes her head throb.

5️⃣ What does the speaker wish she could do about her sinuses?
✅ She wishes she could breathe normally and not have to deal with sinus problems every season.

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🔹 Answer Key: Vocabulary Practice

Word	Definition
1️⃣ Congested	c) Feeling blocked or full, making it hard to breathe
2️⃣ Sinuses	d) Spaces inside the face connected to the nose
3️⃣ Headache	a) A pain or pressure in the head, often caused by sinus issues
4️⃣ Nasal spray	e) A medicine that helps clear the nose when congested
5️⃣ Mucus	b) A thick liquid that comes from the nose when you’re sick Transcript:     Ugh! My sinuses!  Ugh, my sinuses are acting up again 🤧. It always starts the same way— this awful pressure around my eyes and forehead 😣, like someone's squeezing my face 🤯. Then my nose gets all stuffed up 🤢, but at the same time, it won’t stop running 🤦‍♀️. How is that even possible?! One minute I can’t breathe 😤, the next, I’m reaching for tissues every five seconds 🤧🤧. And the worst part? The headaches 😵‍💫. It’s like a dull, constant throb right between my eyes, and no matter how much I rest 😴, it doesn’t go away. I feel so tired and foggy 🫠, like I can’t think straight. Even my teeth hurt sometimes 😬, which is weird, but I guess it's all connected. I’ve been trying everything—steam 🚿, saline spray 💦, decongestants 💊, even one of those neti pots (which is kind of gross but actually helps a little). My doctor 👩‍⚕️ said to take antihistamines because allergies 🤧 might be making it worse, and I’m drinking tons of tea ☕ with honey 🍯. But honestly? I just want this to be over 😩. Every time my sinuses get inflamed, it feels like I’m fighting a losing battle ⚔️. I swear, if I could trade my sinuses for a new set, I would 😤.