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 😤.

Carnaval em inglês é como?

 🟣 Carnival in English 🟣

Your essential vocabulary to talk about Carnival in English! 🎭🎉

🎭 General Terms 🎭

✨ Carnival – Carnaval
✨ Revelry / Festivities – Folia
✨ Reveler / Partygoer – Folião
✨ Street Parade / Carnival Block – Bloco de Carnaval
✨ Parade – Desfile
✨ Samba Venue / Sambadrome – Sambódromo
✨ Samba School – Escola de Samba
✨ Carnival March / Carnival Tune – Marchinha de Carnaval
✨ Sound Truck / Electric Trio – Trio Elétrico
✨ Carnival Ball – Baile de Carnaval 

✨ Ash Wednesday – Quarta-feira de Cinzas

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🎭 Costumes & Accessories 🎭
🎭 Mask – Máscara
🎭 Costume – Fantasia
🎭 Confetti – Confete
🎭 Streamers – Serpentina
🎭 Carnival Shirt – Abadá (specific to blocos in Brazil)

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🥁 Samba & Music 🥁
🥁 Samba – Samba
🥁 Drum Section / Percussion Group – Bateria
🥁 Samba Dancer/Singer – Sambista
🥁 Samba Theme / Storyline – Enredo
🥁 Lead Singer of a Samba School – Puxador de Samba

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🏆 Competitions & Rankings 🏆
🏅 Judging – Julgamento
🏅 Front Commission – Comissão de Frente
🏅 Master of Ceremonies & Flag Bearer – Mestre-Sala e Porta-Bandeira
🏅 Carnival Float – Carro Alegórico
🏅 Wing / Section – Ala

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🌍 Regional Carnival Variations 🌍 

In these cases we don't have a translation for the terms. To explain what they mean, you can say:
Frevo (Pernambuco) – A music & dance style
Maracatu – Afro-Brazilian music/dance
Axé Music (Bahia) – popular music genre originated in Bahia in the 1980s
Boi-Bumbá (Amazonas) – Folk festival

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🎉 Now you're ready to talk about Carnival in English!
Share this post with your friends! 🎭💃✨

Faltou alguma palavra que você queira saber? Deixe sua sugestão no campo dos comentários logo aqui embaixo.

#Carnival #EnglishVocabulary #LearnEnglish #BrazilianCarnival #Samba #CarnivalVibes

Valentine’s Day vs. Dia dos Namorados

    O Dia dos Namorados é o mesmo que Valentine's Day?

Descubra na atividade* de listening e reading que preparei para você. Se quiser compartilhar a tarefa ou usar em sala de aula, ficarei feliz. Só peço que cite a fonte [blog da Ana Scatena] para que mais pessoas possam ter acesso a aprendizagem de inglês com curadoria.

*O texto e as imagens deste post foram criados com ajuda de IA.

 

Valentine’s Day vs. Dia dos Namorados:

Before you listen to the text or read the audio script below, think about what you already know concerning the differences between Valentine’s Day and Dia dos Namorados.                       

    Listening Comprehension Practice

I. Pre-listening Questions:

1. What do you already know about Valentine’s Day?

2. How do Brazilians celebrate Dia dos Namorados?

3. Do you think Valentine’s Day is only for couples, or do other people celebrate it too?

II. Now listen to the text or read the audio script and answer the questions that follow. Then check your answers in the answer-key. 

Audio

Valentine’s Day vs. Dia dos Namorados: Similarities and Differences

Love is in the air at different times of the year, depending on where you are in the world. While in the United States and many other countries, Valentine’s Day is celebrated on February 14, in Brazil, Dia dos Namorados takes place on June 12.

But why are these dates different? And how do traditions vary?

Origins of the Celebrations

Valentine’s Day has its roots in Ancient Rome and is linked to Saint Valentine, a bishop who, according to legend, defied imperial orders by secretly performing weddings for soldiers. He was executed on February 14, becoming a symbol of romantic love.

In contrast, Dia dos Namorados in Brazil was established in 1948 by business owners looking to boost sales in a slow month. The date was chosen because June 12 is the eve of Saint Anthony’s Day, known as the “matchmaker saint.”

Traditions and Differences

• In the U.S. and Europe, Valentine’s Day is not just for couples. Friends, family members, and even colleagues exchange cards, chocolates, and flowers. Many students give small notes to classmates at school.

• In Brazil, Dia dos Namorados is exclusively romantic. Couples exchange gifts such as chocolates, flowers, and jewelry and usually go out for a special dinner.

• On Valentine’s Day, there is a strong tradition of sending romantic cards (the famous “valentines”), while in Brazil, love declarations are more informal, usually accompanied by gifts.

• Another big difference is that in the U.S., marriage proposals are common on Valentine’s Day, whereas in Brazil, they usually happen on special dates like relationship anniversaries.

Whether in February or June, the important thing is to celebrate love.

What about you? Which of these dates do you prefer?

1. Post-listening Questions:

1. Why is Valentine’s Day celebrated on February 14?

2. Why was June 12 chosen for Dia dos Namorados in Brazil?

3. What is the main difference in how these holidays are celebrated

in Brazil and the U.S.?

4. How do people express their love on Valentine’s Day compared to

Dia dos Namorados?

5. In your opinion, which celebration is more interesting? Why?

                                                     Answer-key: 

Pre-listening Questions & Answers

1. What do you already know about Valentine’s Day?
• English: Valentine’s Day is celebrated on February 14. People exchange
gifts, chocolates, and cards. In some countries, it’s not just for couples
but also for friends and family.

• Portuguese: O Valentine’s Day é comemorado em 14 de fevereiro. As pessoas
trocam presentes, chocolates e cartões. Em alguns países, não é apenas para
casais, mas também para amigos e familiares.

2. How do Brazilians celebrate Dia dos Namorados?
• English: In Brazil, Dia dos Namorados is on June 12. It is mainly for
couples, who exchange gifts like flowers and chocolates and go out for
romantic dinners.

• Portuguese: No Brasil, o Dia dos Namorados é no dia 12 de junho. Ele é
principalmente para casais, que trocam presentes como flores e chocolates e
saem para jantares românticos.

3. Do you think Valentine’s Day is only for couples, or do other people
celebrate it too?
• English: In some countries, Valentine’s Day is for everyone, including
friends, family, and classmates. In others, it is mostly for romantic partners.

• Portuguese: Em alguns países, o Valentine’s Day é para todos, incluindo
amigos, familiares e colegas de classe. Em outros, é mais voltado para casais.

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Post-listening Questions & Answers

1. Why is Valentine’s Day celebrated on February 14?
• English: The date is linked to Saint Valentine, a Roman bishop who married
couples in secret. He was executed on February 14, and the date became a
symbol of love.

• Portuguese: A data está ligada a São Valentim, um bispo romano que casava
casais em segredo. Ele foi executado em 14 de fevereiro, e a data se tornou
um símbolo do amor.

2. Why was June 12 chosen for Dia dos Namorados in Brazil?
• English: June 12 was chosen because it is the day before Saint Anthony’s
Day. Saint Anthony is known as the matchmaker saint in Brazil.

• Portuguese: O dia 12 de junho foi escolhido por ser a véspera do Dia de
Santo Antônio. Santo Antônio é conhecido como o santo casamenteiro no Brasil.

3. What is the main difference in how these holidays are celebrated in Brazil
and the U.S.?
• English: In the U.S., Valentine’s Day is for couples, friends, and even
children at school. In Brazil, Dia dos Namorados is mostly for romantic partners.

• Portuguese: Nos EUA, o Valentine’s Day é para casais, amigos e até crianças
na escola. No Brasil, o Dia dos Namorados é principalmente para casais.

4. How do people express their love on Valentine’s Day compared to Dia dos
Namorados?
• English: On Valentine’s Day, people exchange cards, chocolates, and flowers.
In Brazil, couples give gifts, go out for dinner, and spend time together.

• Portuguese: No Valentine’s Day, as pessoas trocam cartões, chocolates e
flores. No Brasil, os casais trocam presentes, saem para jantar e ficam juntos.

5. In your opinion, which celebration is more interesting? Why?
• English: Answers will vary. Some may prefer Valentine’s Day for its inclusive
nature, while others may enjoy the romantic focus of Dia dos Namorados.

• Portuguese: As respostas podem variar. Alguns podem preferir o Valentine’s
Day pela inclusão, enquanto outros gostam do foco romântico do Dia dos Namorados.

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