Worksheet for teachers and learners: both levels, with quiz and answer key. Free to print and share in class.

    ← Back to story

    Free Daily English · Level A2 (Elementary) · Topic: buying medicine at the pharmacy

    Nina Buys Medicine at the Post Office

    Name: ______________________   Date: ____________

    Nina does not feel well. Her head hurts and her throat is sore. She needs medicine. Nina looks in her bag, but she has no medicine at home. She decides to go out and find some. There is a pharmacy near her apartment, but it is closed today. Nina walks down the street and looks for another place to buy medicine. She sees a post office nearby. Nina knows that some post offices also sell basic medicine. She walks inside and looks around. The post office is busy. There are people waiting in line. Nina joins the line and waits. She feels a little dizzy, but she stays calm. She takes a number from the machine by the door. After a few minutes, it is Nina's turn. She walks up to the counter. A sales clerk smiles at her.

    "Good morning," the clerk says. "How can I help you?" Nina speaks slowly. "Hello. I have a headache and a sore throat. Do you have any medicine for that?" The clerk nods. "Yes, we do. We have pain relief tablets and throat lozenges." Nina is happy. "Can I have both, please?" she asks. The clerk takes the items from a small shelf behind the counter. "Of course," he says. "Do you have any allergies?" Nina thinks for a moment. "No, I don't," she says. The clerk puts the medicine in a small paper bag. He tells Nina the price. Nina pays with her card. "Thank you so much," Nina says. The clerk smiles. "I hope you feel better soon," he says.

    Nina walks out of the post office. She feels glad she found the medicine. She sits down on a bench outside. She reads the instructions on the box carefully. The label says to take one tablet with water. Nina takes a bottle of water from her bag. She takes one tablet right away. She also reads about the throat lozenges. The label says to let one dissolve slowly in her mouth. Nina puts one lozenge in her mouth. She waits and rests on the bench for a little while. After ten minutes, she feels a little better. She is grateful for the kind sales clerk. She thinks it was lucky that the post office had medicine. Nina stands up slowly. She smiles and starts to walk home. She plans to rest for the rest of the day.

    Key vocabulary

    pharmacy (noun)a store where you can buy medicine“Nina goes to the pharmacy to buy medicine for her headache.”
    sore (adjective)painful, especially a part of the body“Her throat is sore, so she needs a lozenge.”
    lozenge (noun)a small tablet you let dissolve in your mouth to help a sore throat“The sales clerk recommends throat lozenges for Nina's sore throat.”
    tablet (noun)a small, solid piece of medicine you swallow“The label says to take one tablet with a glass of water.”
    allergy (noun)a bad reaction your body has to certain foods or medicines“The clerk asks Nina if she has any allergies before selling the medicine.”
    counter (noun)a long, flat surface in a store where a clerk serves customers“Nina walks up to the counter and speaks to the sales clerk.”
    dissolve (verb)to slowly mix into a liquid or melt in your mouth“The lozenge dissolves slowly in Nina's mouth.”
    instructions (noun)directions that tell you how to use something“Nina reads the instructions on the medicine box carefully.”

    Useful phrases

    • feel well — to be in good health“Nina does not feel well, so she needs to buy medicine.”
    • wait in line — to stand behind other people and wait for your turn“There are many people at the post office, so Nina has to wait in line.”
    • How can I help you? — a phrase a sales clerk uses to ask what a customer needs“The clerk smiles and says, "How can I help you?"”
    • pain relief — medicine that stops or reduces pain“The post office sells pain relief tablets for headaches.”
    • I hope you feel better soon — a kind phrase said to someone who is sick“The clerk says, "I hope you feel better soon," as Nina leaves.”
    • read the instructions — to look at and understand the directions on a product“Nina reads the instructions on the box before taking the tablet.”
    • pay with your card — to use a bank or credit card to buy something“Nina does not have cash, so she pays with her card.”
    • take a tablet — to swallow a medicine tablet“The instructions say to take one tablet with water.”

    Word search

    Find all 8 key words from the story. They can read forwards, backwards, up, down or diagonally.

    ABCDEFGHIJKLMN
    1LOSLFZPRTRPOHF
    2DUYNPQXAAEWWFE
    3OZCMOTQJBTZUKV
    4WNAFKIGRLNVICL
    5VUMYGPTREUQUAO
    6DIRGCEECTOPYLS
    7JLARYDDOUCJOSS
    8AFHEDJZOJRZBKI
    9ISPLJVNEVETWZD
    10QVZLWFCSNGLSFD
    11RFZAEGKGCPJEND
    12GMQMZYEAYKLRYI
    13BKYNYATOZEYOZF
    14PGXBFKSQOSKSVM

    Comprehension quiz

    1. Why does Nina need medicine?

      • A) She has a headache and a sore throat.
      • B) She has a broken arm.
      • C) She has a stomachache.
      • D) She feels dizzy and cannot walk.
    2. Why does Nina go to the post office instead of the pharmacy?

      • A) Nina prefers the post office.
      • B) The pharmacy is closed.
      • C) The pharmacy does not sell medicine.
      • D) The pharmacy is too far away.
    3. What does Nina buy at the post office?

      • A) Cough syrup and vitamins.
      • B) Pain relief tablets and throat lozenges.
      • C) A headache patch and ear drops.
      • D) Throat spray and allergy tablets.
    4. What does the sales clerk ask Nina before giving her the medicine?

      • A) He asks if she has any allergies.
      • B) He asks how old she is.
      • C) He asks for her ID.
      • D) He asks her name.
    5. How does Nina pay for the medicine?

      • A) She pays with cash.
      • B) She pays with her card.
      • C) She pays with a voucher.
      • D) She does not pay.
    6. What does the label on the lozenge say to do?

      • A) Crush it and mix it with juice.
      • B) Swallow it quickly with water.
      • C) Chew it slowly.
      • D) Let it dissolve slowly in your mouth.
    7. The word "dissolve" means to melt or slowly mix until it disappears. Which sentence uses this word correctly?

      • A) The tablet dissolves when Nina reads it.
      • B) Nina dissolves the counter at the post office.
      • C) The lozenge dissolves slowly in Nina's mouth.
      • D) The clerk dissolves the paper bag.
    8. Nina sits on a bench outside and rests after buying the medicine. True or false?

      • A) True
      • B) False
      • C) Not mentioned
      • D) Not stated
    9. Which word means "a store where you can buy medicine"?

      • A) counter
      • B) pharmacy
      • C) lozenge
      • D) allergy
    10. How does Nina feel after ten minutes on the bench?

      • A) She feels exactly the same.
      • B) She feels very hungry.
      • C) She feels much worse.
      • D) She feels a little better.

    Answer key (A2 (Elementary))

    1. A 2. B 3. B 4. A 5. B 6. D 7. C 8. A 9. B 10. D

    Word search answer key (A2 (Elementary))

    Columns are lettered from the left, rows numbered from the top. The arrow shows the reading direction from the word's first letter.

    allergy: D11 ↑ · counter: J7 ↑ · dissolve: N9 ↑ · instructions: N12 ↖ · lozenge: M6 ↙ · pharmacy: C9 ↑ · sore: L14 ↑ · tablet: I1 ↓

    Free Daily English · Level B1 (Intermediate) · Topic: buying medicine at the pharmacy

    Nina's Unexpected Stop at the Post Office

    Name: ______________________   Date: ____________

    Nina woke up feeling worse than usual, with a pounding headache and a throat so sore that swallowing was uncomfortable. She had planned to pick up medicine from the pharmacy on the corner, but when she arrived, she found a handwritten sign on the door saying it was temporarily closed for the day. Frustrated but determined, Nina looked up and down the street for alternatives. She noticed the post office just a short walk away and remembered that some post offices stock a limited range of over-the-counter medicine alongside their usual postal supplies. It seemed worth a try. She pushed open the heavy door and stepped inside, joining the line of customers waiting at the counter.

    When it was her turn, Nina approached the counter and explained her symptoms to the sales clerk, a calm and attentive man named Patrick. "I have a bad headache and a sore throat," she said. "Do you have anything that could help?" Patrick nodded and pointed to a small display of medicine on the shelf behind him. "We carry pain relief tablets and throat lozenges," he said, "but before I recommend anything, do you have any allergies to medication?" Nina shook her head and said she did not. Patrick selected one pack of each and placed them on the counter, briefly explaining the correct dosage for both products. Nina paid with her card, thanked him sincerely, and appreciated how thorough and professional he had been.

    Outside, Nina settled onto a bench and studied the instructions on both packages before taking anything. The pain relief tablet required water, which she had in her bag, and the lozenge was to be held in the mouth and allowed to dissolve gradually. She followed both sets of directions carefully, aware that taking medicine incorrectly can reduce its effectiveness. Within about ten minutes, the sharpest edge of her headache began to ease, and the lozenge brought a soothing sensation to her throat. Nina leaned back, relieved that such a practical solution had been so close at hand. She made a mental note to keep a small supply of basic medicine at home so she would never be caught in this situation again.

    Key vocabulary

    over-the-counter (adjective)describing medicine that can be bought without a doctor's prescription“The post office stocks a small selection of over-the-counter medicine for everyday ailments.”
    symptom (noun)a sign or feeling that indicates you are sick“Nina describes her symptoms to the sales clerk so he can recommend the right medicine.”
    dosage (noun)the amount of medicine you should take and how often“Patrick explains the correct dosage before Nina buys the tablets.”
    attentive (adjective)paying close attention and being helpful and considerate“The attentive sales clerk listens carefully before recommending any medicine.”
    dissolve (verb)to gradually melt or break down in liquid or in the mouth“The lozenge is designed to dissolve slowly, coating the throat with a soothing layer.”
    effectiveness (noun)the quality of producing the intended result“Taking medicine incorrectly can reduce its effectiveness significantly.”
    soothing (adjective)having a calming or pain-relieving effect“The lozenge brings a soothing sensation to Nina's irritated throat.”
    temporarily (adverb)for a limited period of time, not permanently“A sign on the door says the pharmacy is temporarily closed.”

    Useful phrases

    • stock a range of — to keep a variety of products available for sale“The post office stocks a range of over-the-counter medicine for everyday needs.”
    • explain your symptoms — to describe to someone how you are feeling physically“Nina explains her symptoms clearly so the clerk can suggest the right product.”
    • before I recommend anything — a phrase used before giving advice, to gather more information first“"Before I recommend anything," said Patrick, "do you have any allergies?"”
    • correct dosage — the right amount of medicine to take, as directed“Patrick explains the correct dosage to make sure Nina takes the medicine safely.”
    • close at hand — nearby and easy to access“Nina is relieved that a practical solution was so close at hand.”
    • make a mental note — to decide to remember something without writing it down“Nina makes a mental note to keep basic medicine at home in the future.”
    • be caught in this situation — to unexpectedly find yourself in a difficult or inconvenient situation“Nina does not want to be caught in this situation again without medicine at home.”
    • bring relief — to reduce pain or discomfort“The lozenge begins to bring relief to Nina's sore throat within minutes.”

    Word search

    Find all 8 key words from the story. They can read forwards, backwards, up, down or diagonally.

    ABCDEFGHIJKLMNO
    1TZDZEZCLDDFDSSS
    2RAQAEHNCNWZOYDS
    3BEPATSCMBDOMSKE
    4OXTUINYGLTPYBYN
    5FOANHUEEHTCEULE
    6MEDQUUSIOMDDCIV
    7APVLCONMEXOERRI
    8BXPLYGCYKFSBKAT
    9ZPJNOWYEIYAXXRC
    10XWBWYSLWHGGNVOE
    11XKPWPCSLWTEGMPF
    12TFSTSNTIKORQBMF
    13GSQPUSAQDCPEJEE
    14XIMITUWPJNBXVTN
    15ATTENTIVELDRROS

    Comprehension quiz

    1. Why can't Nina buy medicine at the pharmacy?

      • A) It has run out of medicine.
      • B) It is temporarily closed.
      • C) It is too far from her apartment.
      • D) It does not sell throat lozenges.
    2. What does "over-the-counter medicine" mean?

      • A) Medicine that is placed on top of a shelf.
      • B) Medicine that is sold across a counter only.
      • C) Medicine that requires a doctor's prescription.
      • D) Medicine you can buy without a prescription.
    3. Why does Patrick ask Nina about allergies before recommending medicine?

      • A) He is curious about her medical history.
      • B) He wants to make sure the medicine is safe for her.
      • C) It is a legal requirement at post offices.
      • D) He needs the information for his records.
    4. Which word best describes Patrick's manner while serving Nina?

      • A) Unfriendly
      • B) Distracted
      • C) Impatient
      • D) Attentive
    5. What does Nina do before taking the medicine outside?

      • A) She calls a friend for advice.
      • B) She reads the instructions on both packages.
      • C) She goes back inside to ask another question.
      • D) She checks the expiration date only.
    6. According to the story, taking medicine incorrectly can reduce its effectiveness. True or false?

      • A) False
      • B) Not stated
      • C) Not mentioned
      • D) True
    7. What does the word "soothing" mean as used in the story?

      • A) Loud and distracting
      • B) Calming and pain-relieving
      • C) Slow and ineffective
      • D) Sharp and painful
    8. What does Nina decide at the end of the story?

      • A) She will find a new pharmacy in a different area.
      • B) She will keep a supply of basic medicine at home.
      • C) She will avoid the post office in the future.
      • D) She will complain about the pharmacy being closed.
    9. The word "temporarily" means for a short time, not permanently. Which sentence uses it correctly?

      • A) The clerk temporarily has a sore throat every day.
      • B) The pharmacy is temporarily closed, but will open again.
      • C) Nina temporarily needs medicine for the rest of her life.
      • D) The lozenge is temporarily very hard and cannot dissolve.
    10. Nina's headache disappears completely within ten minutes of taking the tablet. True or false?

      • A) Not stated
      • B) True
      • C) False
      • D) Not mentioned

    Answer key (B1 (Intermediate))

    1. B 2. D 3. B 4. D 5. B 6. D 7. B 8. B 9. B 10. C

    Word search answer key (B1 (Intermediate))

    Columns are lettered from the left, rows numbered from the top. The arrow shows the reading direction from the word's first letter.

    attentive: A15 → · dissolve: I13 ↖ · dosage: K6 ↓ · effectiveness: O13 ↑ · over-the-counter: N15 ↖ · soothing: M1 ↙ · symptom: N1 ↙ · temporarily: N14 ↑

    Free Daily English · www.freedailyenglish.com/stories/nina-buys-medicine-at-the-post-office-2026-10-19