Unit Review & Progress Test

Unit review — Palliative Care, Death & Dying Conversations

Al finalizar esta unidad, deberías ser capaz de participar en conversaciones complejas y delicadas sobre temas sensibles como el cuidado paliativo, el final de la vida y el duelo. Habrás desarrollado la capacidad de utilizar un registro formal y empático, esencial para entornos profesionales de salud o contextos sociales de alto nivel, manteniendo la precisión gramatical al tratar asuntos de responsabilidad y procesos.

Asimismo, habrás consolidado el uso de las estructuras causativas para describir acciones realizadas por otros, procesos médicos y situaciones de obligación o permiso. El objetivo es que puedas navegar temas emocionalmente cargados con la sofisticación léxica y la precisión gramatical que exige el nivel C1 Advanced.

Grammar consolidation

Complete the following tasks using causative constructions (have / get / make / let / help).

Part A: Sentence Transformation Rewrite the sentences so that they have a similar meaning to the first, using the word provided. Do not change the word provided.

1. The nurse gave the patient pain relief. (HAD) The patient __________ pain relief.

2. It was necessary for the family to make a decision about the ventilator. (HAD) The family __________ a decision about the ventilator.

3. I persuaded my colleague to take a leave of absence. (GOT) I __________ a leave of absence.

4. The doctor's presence made the family feel much calmer. (HELPED) The doctor's presence __________ the family feel much calmer.

Part B: Error Correction Identify and correct the error in each sentence.

5. We had the patient to sign the consent forms before the procedure.
6. The bereavement counselor made him to talk about his grief.
7. She got her son to help her with the funeral arrangements. (Note: Is this sentence correct? If not, fix it. If it is, write 'Correct').

Part C: Controlled Rewriting Rewrite the sentences using the causative structure indicated in brackets.

8. Someone is cleaning the hospice room right now. (HAVE - passive) The hospice room __________.

9. The strict regulations forced the hospital to implement new protocols. (MAKE) The strict regulations __________ new protocols.

10. I managed to convince the doctor to reconsider the prognosis. (GET) I __________ the doctor to reconsider the prognosis.

Vocabulary activation

Task 1: Collocation Match Match the words in column A with column B to form C1-level collocations.

Task 2: Word Formation Complete the sentences by changing the form of the word in brackets.

5. The family was devastated by the suddenness of his __ (die).
6. Providing __ (comfort) care is the primary goal of the hospice.
7. The patient's __ (decline) was gradual but steady.
8. It is a difficult __ (confront) to face the reality of mortality.

Task 3: Register Choice Choose the most appropriate word for a professional medical/formal context. (e.g., 'passed away' vs 'died').

9. The patient _____ (passed away / kicked the bucket) peacefully during the night.
10. We must ensure that the patient's _____ (wishes / wants) are respected.
11. The family is currently in a state of _____ (mourning / sadness) following the loss.
12. It is important to provide _____ (compassionate / nice) support to the bereaved.

Integrated skills task

Source Text: The Ethics of Palliative Sedation

The debate surrounding palliative sedation remains one of the most delicate issues in end-of-life care. Palliative sedation involves the administration of sedative medication to alleviate intractable suffering in patients nearing death. While the primary intention is to manage pain or respiratory distress, critics argue that it can inadvertently hasten death, blurring the line between symptom management and euthanasia.

Medical professionals often face an agonizing dilemma: balancing the duty to relieve suffering with the duty to preserve life. Proponents argue that when suffering becomes unbearable and all other interventions have failed, sedation is a compassionate necessity. However, opponents suggest that this practice may undermine the sanctity of life and the transparency of clinical intent. As medical technology advances, these ethical boundaries become increasingly complex to navigate, requiring profound empathy and rigorous ethical frameworks to guide practitioners and families alike.

Writing Task

Instrucciones: Basándote en el texto anterior, escribe un ensayo de respuesta (180-220 palabras) donde analices los dilemas éticos mencionados. Debes argumentar si crees que el alivio del sufrimiento debe ser la prioridad absoluta o si existen riesgos inaceptables en este tipo debido a la ambigüedad moral. Utiliza vocabulario de nivel C1 y estructuras causativas aprendidas en esta unidad.

Speaking checkpoint

Responde a estas preguntas de forma oral para practicar tu fluidez y capacidad de argumentación. Intenta hablar durante 2 minutos por cada respuesta.

1. Compare: Compare the approach to death in modern medical settings versus how it was handled in historical or traditional societies.
2. Speculate: How might the role of palliative care change in the future with the advancement of AI and medical technology?
3. Evaluate: Evaluate the importance of "death literacy" (understanding the process of dying) in modern education.
4. Justify: Some argue that we should focus more on extending life at all costs. Justify whether you believe this is a healthy societal goal or a dangerous obsession.
5. Discuss: Discuss the emotional impact on healthcare professionals who work regularly in palliative care.
6. Hypothesize: If a patient's wishes conflict with their family's wishes at the end of life, how should medical professionals proceed?

Self-assessment rubric

Answer key

Grammar consolidation 1. The patient had pain relief administered. (Or: The patient had his/her pain relieved). 2. The family had to make a decision about the ventilator. 3. I got my colleague to take a leave of absence. 4. The doctor's presence helped to make the family feel much calmer. (Or: helped the family feel...) 5. Error: "to sign" $\rightarrow$ "sign" (make/have + object + bare infinitive). 6. Error: "to talk" $\rightarrow$ "talk" (make + object + bare infinitive). 7. Correct. (get + object + to-infinitive). 8. The hospice room is being cleaned. 9. The strict regulations made the hospital implement new protocols. 10. I got the doctor to reconsider the prognosis.

Vocabulary activation 1. 1-C (Terminal illness), 2-A (Palliative care), 3-D (Final stage), 4-B (End-of-life stage) 2. 5. death, 6. palliative, 7. decline, 8. confrontation 3. 9. passed away, 10. wishes, 11. mourning, 12. compassionate