The doctor … my illness as malaria

Step 1: Analyze the question The sentence is: "The doctor ....... my illness as malaria." We need the verb that fits a doctor identifying what sickness a patient has.

Step 2: Explain the concept Look at the meaning of each word and the structure "___ X as Y."

• Discovered: to find something for the first time, such as a new land or a new element. A doctor does not "discover" a known illness in a patient in this sense.
• Diagnosed: to identify the nature of an illness from its symptoms. It is commonly used in the pattern "diagnosed (something) as (illness)."
• Prescribed: to order a medicine or treatment. You prescribe drugs, not an illness.
• Announced: to make something publicly known. It is too general and does not fit the medical context.

Step 3: Solution Testing each option in the sentence:

• "The doctor discovered my illness as malaria" is unnatural.
• "The doctor diagnosed my illness as malaria" is correct and natural.
• "The doctor prescribed my illness as malaria" is wrong, because you prescribe medicine.
• "The doctor announced my illness as malaria" is awkward and not the right word for this context.

Step 4: Answer The correct option is B. diagnosed.

Tip: Link word pairs in your mind:

• Diagnose → the illness (identifying the problem)
• Prescribe → the drug (giving the solution)

Whenever you see a doctor, an illness, and "as," think diagnose. Keep practising, you're doing well!