Graded English DailyHome › A2 Elementary › Unit 1 › Episode 4
Asking for Directions
How to ask for directions, and how to understand the answer.
In this lesson
- Ask the way to any place
- Catch the three key parts of an answer
- Check that you understood
1 · Key words
2 · Listen and read
Transcript
NinaHi, I'm Nina.
RayAnd I'm Ray.
NinaRay, what's harder — asking for directions, or understanding the answer?
RayUnderstanding the answer. Easily.
NinaSame. I can ask. Then they talk for fifteen seconds and I just nod.
RayAnd then you walk away and look at your phone.
NinaEvery time. So today, both halves.
RayStart with asking.
NinaOne sentence does everything. How do I get to the station?
RayHow do I get to. That works for any place?
NinaAny place. A street, a shop, a building. How do I get to Fifth Avenue.
RayAnd if I don't know whether to walk?
NinaThen add one more. Is it walking distance?
RayIs it walking distance. I like that.
NinaIt saves you from a forty-minute walk. Now — the hard half.
RayUnderstanding.
NinaHere's the trick. You don't need every word. You need three things.
RayWhich three?
NinaA direction, a number, and a landmark.
RayDirection, number, landmark.
NinaLeft, right, straight. That's the direction. Two blocks, three lights. That's the number.
RayAnd the landmark is a thing I can see.
NinaThe bank, the church, the big red sign. Listen for those three and ignore the rest.
RayThat takes the pressure off.
NinaAnd one more sentence. The most useful one.
RayWhat is it?
NinaSo, left at the bank? You repeat the key part as a question.
RayAnd they'll correct me if it's wrong.
NinaThey always do. People love correcting directions.
RayLet's practice. I'm lost.
NinaGo ahead.
RayExcuse me, how do I get to the train station?
NinaSure — go straight for two blocks, then turn left at the big bank, and it's right there on your right.
RaySo, straight two blocks, then left at the bank?
NinaExactly.
RayIs it walking distance?
NinaAbout ten minutes.
RayThank you very much.
NinaAnd that's it. You got a direction, a number, and a landmark.
RayAnd I never said I don't understand.
NinaSo — how do I get to, is it walking distance, and repeat it back as a question.
RayThanks, Nina.
NinaThat's it for today. See you next time.
3 · Shadow
Say each sentence out loud, five times, a little faster each time.
- Excuse me, how do I get to the train station?
- Is it walking distance?
- Go straight for two blocks.
- So, left at the bank?
- Thank you very much.
4 · Quiz
1. Nina says you only need to hear three things. What are they?
2. How far is the train station?
3. Where does Ray turn left?
4. How can you check that you understood?
5. In the practice, how do you get to the train station?
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