15. THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM AND ITS DISEASES
EXERCISE 1 Label the picture with the following:
sigmoid colon spleen bile duct salivary glands descending colon
trachea/windpipe diaphragm stomach small intestine pharynx/throat
cecum appendix anus esophagus/gullet transverse colon
rectum liver pancreas oral/buccal cavity duodenum
ascending colon gallbladder
EXERCISE 2 Complete the text with the following verbs. Put them in the correct form.
regulate provides contain refer result produce
consist begin
The digestive system 1) ____________________ the body with water, nutrients, and
minerals. After the nutrients are available to the body cells, they are used for growth,
generation of energy, and elimination of wastes that 2) ____________________ from this
process (metabolism). The digestive system accomplishes its role by several activities:
ingestion, digestion, absorption, and elimination. The digestive system is divided into the
digestive/alimentary tract and several accessory organs: the liver, gallbladder, pancreas,
and salivary glands.
The digestive tract, basically a long, muscular tube that is lined with mucous membrane,
3) ____________________ at the mouth and ends at the anus. Gastrointestinal
4) ____________________ to the stomach and the intestines. The upper gastrointestinal
tract (UGI) ____________________ of the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, and stomach. The
lower gastrointestinal tract (LGI) is made up of the small intestine (duodenum, jejunum,
and ileum) and large intestine (cecum, colon: ascending, transverse, descending, and
sigmoid, rectum, and anus).
The liver is the largest organ in the body. It 5) ____________________ bile, which breaks
down fats before absorption by the small intestine. Bile is continuously produced by the
liver and is either stored by the gallbladder or conveyed to the small intestine for
immediate use.
The pancreas is a small organ with two important functions. It produces pancreatic juice,
which is important in the digestion of food. The pancreases also produces insulin, a
hormone that 6) ____________________ the blood sugar level.
The salivary glands produce saliva (spit) which 7) ____________________ amylase, the
enzyme responsible for the breakdown of starch.
EXERCISE 3 Match digestive diseases with their descriptions.
stomach/gastric and duodenal ulcers gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
celiac disease irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
1 ____________________ is caused by gastric acid that backs up from the stomach and into
the esophagus, where it can burn sensitive tissue, and over time can lead to cancer. The
most common symptom is heartburn.
2 ____________________ is a disorder of the large bowel (colon) in which the bowel
overreacts to a mild stimulus  such as eating or the presence of gas  by going into spasm.
It is characterised by abdominal pain, bloating and irregular bowel habits  including
alternating diarrhoea and constipation.
3 ____________________ are open sores or lesions found in the mucous membrane of the
stomach or duodenum. They are caused by hydrochloric acid and pepsin that are contained
in the stomach and duodenum. Many of them are caused by the bacteria H. pylori, and can
be cured with antibiotics. The symptoms include abdominal pain, heartburn, nausea,
vomiting, and blood in the stool.
4 _____________________ is an autoimmune disorder of intolerance to gluten, a protein
found in wheat, rye, and barley. The body's immune system reacts to gluten by attacking
and damaging the lining of the small intestine. The signs include diarrhea, malabsorption,
weight loss, abdominal pain, and food intolerance.
EXERCISE 4 Here are words used to describe taste. Think of an example of a food or drink
for each.
hot and spicy - & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & ..
rich - & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & ..
bitter - & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & ..
sour - & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & ..
stodgy - & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & &
sickly - & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & ..
crunchy - & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & .
bland/tasteless - & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & .
savoury - & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & &
greasy - & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & .
salty - & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & .
stale - & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & &
EXERCISE 5 Complete the column on the right with a word from the list below. Use each
word once only.
bake grate beat melt chop pour cut
serve divide sprinkle
1. & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & the meat into thin slices.
2. & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & the onion finely.
3. & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & some cheese to use as a topping.
4. & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & .& ..half of the milk into a large bowl
5. & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & .the eggs thoroughly.
6. & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & .the dough into 2 balls.
7. & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & the butter in a frying pan.
8. & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & ..in a hot oven.
9. & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & ..sugar over the top of the cake.
10. & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & ..on a warm plate.
LISTENING You will hear an interview about health and diet in some countries around the
world. For questions 1-10, complete the sentences.
1. A growing problem in Britain today is the number of & & & & & & & & & & ............ children.
2. Penny believes that improving the quality of & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & . will have a big
effect on the nation s health.
3. At the moment, the British spend four times as much on food for & & & & & .& & & & & & & & .
than for schoolchildren.
4. In a traditional Japanese diet, & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & .& of their calories come from
carbohydrates.
5. The Inuit of Greenland are an extremely & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & . population.
6. A link between omega-3 oils and better & & & & & & & & ..& & & & & & & & . has only just been
found.
7. Eating curries could be the reason why many elderly Indians still have good
& & & & & & & & & & & & & & & ..& & .
8. It is now thought that drinking & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & .. could be good for the health.
9. Penny says the French tend to eat fewer & & & & & & & & & & & & & & & ..& & . than the British.
10. Penny points out that French people may stay slim because of the timing of their
& & & & & & & & & & & & & ..& & & & .. .
GRAMMAR EXERCISE 1 Underlin5 the AorreAt word or phrase in eaAh sente?A5.
a) I liv5 h5r5 / I ve lived here sinA5 th5 5nd of last y5ar.
b) I'm afraid th5 last train l5ft / h0s left an hour ago.
A) Som5on5 h0s just stolen / h0s just bee? ste0li?g my biAyAl5.
d) "hank you for your off5r, but I deAided / I v5 decided not to aAA5pt.
5) Y5st53day I lost / I ve lost mC wall5t.
f) "ak5 your umbr5ll0 with Cou. It started / It s st0rted raining.
g) We re enjoying our trip. We visited / W5 ve visited two Aountri5s so far.
h) I m st0ndi?g here / I ve been st0?ding here for hours and I f55l tir5d.
i) "his w0s / h0s been a busy day and it isn t ov5r y5t!
j) I f55l r5ally tired. We went / We ve been to a partC last night.
EXERCISE 2 Put eaAh verb in braAkets into either the present perfeAt, past simple or
present simple.
a) Last w55k I (los5) ___________________ my sAarf, and now I (just los5)
___________________ my gloves.
b) I (work) ___________________ for Blu5 Bank at th5 moment but I (d5Aid5)
___________________ to Ahang5 jobs.
c) W5 (b5) ___________________ h5r5 for hours. Ar5 you sur5 w5 (Aom5)
___________________ to the right place?
d) (you see) ___________________ my calculator? I m sure I (leave) ___________________
it here earlier.
e) We (have) ___________________ some coffee and then (catch) ___________________
th5 bus hom5.
f) I (n5v5r 5at) ___________________ oAtopus, but onA5 on holiday I (5at)
___________________ som5 squid.
g) I (hop5) ___________________ you aren t a v5g5tarian. I (Aook) ___________________
you som5 lamb Ahops.
h) R5A5ntly a lot of young p5opl5 (tak5 up) ___________________ kite surfing.
i) Wh5n w5 (r5aAh) ___________________ th5 Ain5ma, th5r5 (not b5) __________________
any tiAk5ts l5ft.
i) Pl5as5 Aom5 quiAkly! NiAk (hav5) ___________________ an aAAident, and h5 (go)
___________________ to hospital.
EXERCISE 3 For eaAh question, Aomplete th5 seAond sentenA5 so that it means the same as
the first using no mor5 than three words.
a) I Aam5 t> liv5 h5r5 thr55 months ago.
I ______________________________________ h5r5 for thr55 months.
b) Sophi5 is out at the shops at th5 mom5nt.
Sophi5 __________________________________________ to th5 shops.
A) I v5 had Fr5nAh l5ssons sinA5 arAh.
I _______________________________________________ Fr5nAh sinA5 arAh.
d) I m still r5ading this book.
I ________________________________________________ r5ading this book y5t.
5) Paul l5ft th5 room a mom5nt ago.
Paul has __________________________________________ th5 room.
f) It's ag5s sinA5 I last w5nt to th5 Ain5ma.
I ________________________________________________ to the Ain5ma for ag5s.
g) This is th5 first tim5 I v5 5at5n snails.
I ________________________________________________ snails b5for5.
h) I don t r5m5mb5r H5l5n s phon5 numb5r.
I v5 _____________________________________________ H5l5n s phon5 numb5r.
EXERCISE 4 Underline the 5rrors in th5se sentenAes. Rewrite eaAh sentenAe.
a) y p5nfriend is writing to m5 for y5ars.
______________________________________________________________________
b) W5 have started this Aourse thr55 w55ks ago.
_______________________________________________________________________
c)  What hav5 you be5n doing all daC?  I ve been writt5n lett5rs .
_______________________________________________________________________
d) Wh5n hav5 you arriv5d in this Aity?
_______________________________________________________________________
e) You hav5 5v5r b55n to India?
_______________________________________________________________________
f) aula has b55n stay5d in a hot5l by th5 s5a.
_______________________________________________________________________
g) I v5 b55n f55ling ill thr55 w55ks ago.
_______________________________________________________________________
h) I liv5 in this Aity sinA5 I was born.
_______________________________________________________________________
i) I wait h5r5 for ag5s. Wher5 have you b5en?
_______________________________________________________________________
j) Tony has l5av5d his books on th5 bus.
_______________________________________________________________________