Think about these questions before listening. Share your ideas with a partner.
What do you do when you are lost in a new city?
Do you prefer to ask a person for directions or use a map on your phone? Why?
Think about a famous place in your city. How do you get there from your school?
2
Asking for Directions
Listen to the dialogue. Notice how the vocabulary and grammar from the lesson are used.
3
Answer these questions in your own words based on the audio recording.
01Where does the first person want to go?
Sample answerHe wants to go to the new bookshop.
02What is the first direction the second person gives?
Sample answerThe first direction is to go straight down the street until the bank.
03What is opposite the bookshop?
Sample answerThe park is opposite the bookshop.
04How long does it take to walk to the bookshop?
Sample answerIt takes about five minutes to walk there.
4
Key vocabulary for directions
Vocabulary
These expressions will help you give and understand directions more easily.
Examples
turn left/right at the... — to change direction at a specific place, like a corner or a building.
Usage note: Always use 'at the' before a landmark. For example, 'Turn right at the traffic lights.'
go past the... — to continue walking or driving, leaving a place behind you.
Usage note: This is useful when a landmark is on the way but is not the final destination. For example, 'Go past the post office and the bank is on your left.'
it's on the corner — the place is located where two streets meet.
Usage note: You can say 'on the corner of...' to be more specific. For example, 'The cafe is on the corner of Main Street and Park Avenue.'
you can't miss it — an expression that means a place is very easy to see or find.
Usage note: This is a friendly and informal phrase to use at the end of giving directions.
keep going until you see... — to continue moving in the same direction until you find a specific landmark.
Usage note: This is a clear way to give directions for a longer distance. For example, 'Keep going until you see a big red building.'
5
City navigation words
Learn these useful words for finding your way around the city.
Match each word on the left with its meaning on the right.
Drag or click to match
Definitions
6
Grammar: Imperatives and prepositions of place
Grammar
When we give directions, we use imperatives to tell someone what to do. We also use prepositions of place to explain where things are located.
Examples
Turn left at the traffic lights. The station is on the corner.
We use 'turn' (imperative) to give an instruction and 'on' (preposition) to show the location.
Go straight ahead for two blocks. The park is next to the library.
'Go straight' is a common imperative phrase. 'Next to' means something is beside another thing.
Cross the street. The cafe is between the bookshop and the post office.
'Cross' is the instruction. 'Between' tells you the location is in the middle of two other places.
Key points
Imperatives don't need a subject like 'you'. Just use the verb: 'Go', not 'You go'.
Prepositions of place come before the noun: 'on the corner', 'next to the bank'.
Don't add '-ing' or 'to' to the imperative. Say 'Walk straight', not 'Walking straight'.
7
Complete the sentences with words from the box. One word is extra.
Word bank
01When you see the big bank, right.
02Walk the post office and the library is on your left.
03The coffee shop is on the of Main Street and Park Avenue.
04It's a very big, red building, so you can't it.
05Go on this road for about five minutes.
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Finding the book nook
Read the passage below, then answer the comprehension questions.
Maria was excited to visit the famous bookstore, 'The Book Nook'. Her friend gave her simple directions. From her hotel, she needed to walk straight down the main street. 'First, go past the big fountain,' he said. 'Keep going until you see the City Bank. Then, turn left at the bank.' Maria walked and looked for the bank. After she turned left, her friend told her the store was easy to find. 'The Book Nook is on the corner, opposite the park. It has a big, red sign. You can't miss it!' Maria saw the park and then she saw the red sign. She was happy to finally be there.
01Where did Maria need to turn left?
Sample answerShe needed to turn left at the City Bank.
02What is across the street from the bookstore?
Sample answerThe park is across the street from the bookstore.
03Were the directions difficult for Maria to follow?
Sample answerNo, they were simple and she found the bookstore easily.
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Discuss these questions with a partner. Try to use vocabulary from the lesson.
In your country, when people give directions, is it more common to use street names or landmarks like 'go past the supermarket'?
Is it more helpful to give very simple directions or very detailed directions with many landmarks? Why?
Imagine a tourist asks you for directions to a place that is very far to walk. What is the most helpful advice to give them?