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Jordan, 10, has just been diagnosed with asthma and is here with their dad. The doctor has prescribed a brown preventer inhaler (a low-dose steroid) to take morning and evening every day, and a blue reliever inhaler (salbutamol) to use when needed. Both are used with a spacer. Jordan plays football and is worried they will have to stop. They don't really understand why they need two inhalers. You have 6 minutes. (You are not expected to know detailed medical facts — use the information given. Note for older readers: from age 12, UK guidance now usually uses a single combined inhaler instead, which is why this station is set for a younger child.)
Say your answer out loud first, then jot down the key points you made. Writing it helps you spot gaps — and it's what the AI feedback reads.
0 words
Explaining clearly without jargon, adapting to a young person, checking understanding and addressing their concern.
A structure to build your own answer on — not a script.
Start where they are
What do they know? What worries them? (Football.)
Explain asthma simply
Sensitive airways that tighten and swell when triggered; analogy (narrow straw).
Two inhalers
Brown = prevention, morning and evening every day, works only if taken regularly; blue = quick relief when tight or wheezy.
Address the concern
With good control most people keep playing sport; reliever before exercise if advised.
Teach-back and safety-net
Ask Jordan to explain back; involve Dad; when to get help.
A strong but not perfect answer. Read the notes to see why it works — then make your own version with your experiences.
Candidate sits at Jordan's level and greets both Jordan and Dad.
"Hi Jordan, I'm Ben — and hello, you must be Jordan's dad. I've been asked to chat to you about your asthma and your inhalers. Before I start, Jordan, what do you already know about it — and is there anything you're worried about?1"
Jordan: 'Not much. I'm worried I'll have to stop football.'
"That's a really good thing to tell me, and I'll come back to it. So — the tubes that carry air into your lungs are called airways. In asthma, they're more sensitive than usual. When they meet a trigger — like cold air, pollen or sometimes exercise — the muscles around them tighten and the lining swells. It's a bit like trying to breathe through a narrow straw2. That's why you feel tight and wheezy. Does that make sense so far?"
"You've got two inhalers because they do different jobs. The blue one is your reliever. It relaxes those tight muscles quickly — within minutes — so you use it when you feel tight or wheezy. The brown one is your preventer. It calms down the swelling in your airways over time, so they're less likely to tighten in the first place. The tricky thing is it only works if you take it every morning and every evening, even when you feel fine — maybe when you brush your teeth, so it's easy to remember. Dad can help you remember too."
"About football — lots of top athletes have asthma. If the preventer keeps your airways calm, most people can keep playing. The doctor may tell you to use your blue inhaler before training — it's worth asking them."
"Just so I know I've explained it well, could you tell me which inhaler you'd use
Real interviews are won and lost here. Answer each one aloud.
Jordan answers correctly.
"Perfect. And this bit is really important for both of you: if the blue inhaler isn't helping, or you're finding it hard to breathe or talk, tell a grown-up straight away — that's an emergency4 and you need help quickly. Dad, is there anything you'd like to ask?"