Practice · Dr. Bashir

1 Corrections

How you said it, the natural version, and why. These are your own sentences.

How you said it

Take a decision.

The natural version

Make a decision.

In English we always "make" a decision — never "take" one. "Take a decision" is a direct translation from Arabic that doesn't work in English.

How you said it

They have a complexion.

The natural version

They have a complex.

"Complex" (a psychological insecurity or inferiority feeling) is different from "complexion" (skin colour). These are two completely separate words.

1b Already right

These needed no correction at all.

As a surgeon, you need to keep your composure.

Correct — 'keep your composure' is a very natural and professional expression. Well done!

When he shouted at me, I remained composed.

Correct — excellent use of 'remained composed.' This is exactly the right phrase for this situation!

2 Grammar tips

Don't have to ≠ Must not

"Don't have to" means it's NOT necessary — it's optional. It does NOT mean forbidden. This is very different from "must not" or "can't."

You don't have to wear the uniform tomorrow — it's a free day. (= optional, not forbidden)

Make vs Take — common collocations

Many actions that use "take" in Arabic use "make" in English: make a decision, make a suggestion, make a mistake. Watch for these — they are very common errors.

I will make the final decision by tomorrow.

Can't — strong prohibition

Use "can't" to say something is not allowed or is impossible in the situation.

You can't stay unemployed — you need to take action.

Maybe you can — soft suggestion

Use "maybe you can" for the gentlest kind of suggestion. It gives the person a choice and doesn't pressure them.

I don't have enough money. — Maybe you can take a small loan from the bank.

Have to — strong advice (informal)

Use "have to" for strong advice in everyday conversation. It feels urgent but less formal than "must."

You have to rest — you've been awake for 30 hours.

Must — formal, very strong advice

Use "must" for the strongest advice or necessity, usually in formal or serious situations.

You must see a doctor immediately — this cannot wait.

Should — general advice (neutral strength)

Use "should" for everyday advice and recommendations. It is less forceful than "must" or "have to" — it's a suggestion, not an order.

You should consult a specialist before deciding.

3 New words and phrases

4 Pronunciation

·resortrih-ZORTThe 's' sounds like a 'z' — rih-ZORT. Stress on the second syllable.

Practise these sounds

5 Practice sentences

01I'm always on the move — I hate free time and I can't sit at home and do nothing.
02As a surgeon, when an emergency happens, I must keep my composure.
03You should ask for advice before you make the final decision.
04Maybe you can fall back on your savings — you saved for a rainy day, right?
05I poked the patient but he didn't respond, so I called for help immediately.
06If I don't agree with something, I stay silent and then take action later.
07A lot of people try to suck up to the manager, but the hard workers don't need to.
08You don't have to come to the meeting — it's optional.
09You can't stay sleep-deprived forever — your body will eventually give out.
10They lack self-confidence, so they always wait for someone else to make the final decision.
11The last resort is to contact the director — but only after everything else has failed.
12The people your children grow up around will play a role in who they become.

6 Model sentences

Read these out loud three times.

As a surgeon, when an emergency happens, you must keep your composure — there is no other option.
You shouldn't stay unemployed for long — maybe you can fall back on a skill you already have.
She's always on the move; she genuinely can't sit at home and do nothing.
I stay silent when I disagree — I think carefully, make the final decision, and then take action.
You have to save money for a rainy day. You can't spend everything you earn.
A lot of people try to suck up to the manager, but the ones who work hard don't need to.
The last resort is to contact the hospital director — but I make sure that's never my first call.

7 Mini-dialogue

A
You look exhausted. Have you been sleep-deprived again?
B
Yes — I'm always on the move. I hate free time. I really can't just sit and do nothing.
A
You should rest though. Maybe you can take a short break after your next surgery.
B
I know. But when an emergency happens, I have to stay composed — I can't show any stress.
A
That takes a lot of strength. Do you always make the final decision in those moments?
B
Yes. I stay silent, think it through, and then take action. That's always been my approach.
A
And what if nothing works? What's the last resort?
B
I call the department head. But I make sure that's a last resort — not my first instinct.

Read A, say B's line yourself, then check.

8 Homework

Write one sentence of advice using each of these five modals — all about the same topic (health, work, or money): must, have to, should, can't, maybe you can.
Write 3 sentences in a short story using 'make the final decision,' 'take action,' and 'last resort.' Base it on a real or imaginary situation.
Use 'on the move,' 'fall back on,' and 'save for a rainy day' in a short paragraph (4–5 sentences) about your life or work.
Practice the Mini-Dialogue out loud, then rewrite the last four lines using different modal verbs than the ones already there.
Choose 3 idioms from this session ('suck up to,' 'polish the apple,' 'rainy day,' 'fall back on') and use each one in a real sentence about someone you know or a situation you've seen.

9 Self-check

The difference between 'don't have to' and 'must not' surprised me. They feel similar in Arabic, but in English they are completely different — 'don't have to' means it's optional, while 'must not' means it's forbidden. I've probably been confusing them for a long time, and I need to be much more careful from now on.

The phrase 'keep your composure' is exactly how I think about working in surgery. I've felt that quality my whole career but never had the right English words for it. Now I can say exactly what I mean — and I will use it in my next conversation.

I want to start using 'last resort' more naturally. I often reach for something longer when this simple two-word phrase says everything I need. Before the next session, I'll try to use it at least once in a real conversation.