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[A2] Asking for Directions

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Today’s topic is: Asking for Directions — a very useful skill for travelers, students, or anyone new in town.
This lesson is perfect for A2 to B1 learners.
We’ll follow Lisa, who is visiting a new city for a job interview, and her friend Tom, who lives there.
They meet by chance and talk about how to get to a local museum.

Tom: Lisa? Is that you?
Lisa: Tom! Wow, what are the chances? I didn’t expect to see you here.
Tom: I live just around the corner. Are you visiting?
Lisa: Yes! I have a job interview this afternoon. But I came early to visit the city museum — and now I’m totally lost.
Tom: Ah, the museum! Don’t worry, it’s easy to find. Where are you now?
Lisa: I think I’m on King Street, near a bakery. But I can’t see any signs for the museum.
Tom: Okay, from King Street, walk straight for about five minutes. You’ll pass a pharmacy and a small park on your left.
Lisa: Alright, straight ahead, pass the pharmacy and the park…
Tom: Exactly. When you see the traffic lights, turn left onto Main Avenue. The museum is just past the bus stop, on your right. It’s a big white building with tall columns.
Lisa: Turn left at the lights… and it’s after the bus stop on the right. Got it!
Tom: If you reach the train station, you’ve gone too far. But don’t worry — it’s hard to miss.
Lisa: Thanks, Tom. I was really confused. My map app wasn’t working!
Tom: No problem at all. Oh — and if you have time after your interview, there’s a great café across from the museum.
Lisa: Sounds perfect. Maybe I’ll treat myself to coffee if the interview goes well.
Tom: Good luck! You’ve got this.

That’s it for today’s episode of the 5-Minute English Podcast.
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📍 Vocabulary for Asking & Giving Directions

Word / Phrase Part of Speech Meaning (English) Example Sentence
Lost Adjective Not knowing where you are or how to get to a place I think I’m lost. Can you help me?
Pass (a place) Verb To go by a place without stopping You will pass the post office on your way.
Turn left Verb phrase Go to the left side at a corner or road Turn left at the next street.
Turn right Verb phrase Go to the right side at a corner or road Turn right after the traffic light.
On your left Prepositional phrase Something is on the left side of you The café is on your left.
On your right Prepositional phrase Something is on the right side of you The bank is on your right.
Past Preposition After going beyond another place The shop is past the supermarket.
Across from Preposition Directly opposite another place The school is across from the park.
Walk straight / Go straight / Straight ahead Verb phrase Keep moving forward without turning Go straight for two minutes.
Traffic light Noun Red, yellow, and green lights that control traffic Stop at the traffic light.
Confused Adjective Not understanding or not sure what to do I’m confused. Can you repeat that?

🗣️ Polite Phrases for Asking Directions

Phrase Meaning (English) Example Answer
Excuse me, can you help me? Used to get someone’s attention politely Sure! What are you looking for?
Do you know how to get to…? Asking for directions Yes, go straight and turn left at the corner.
Can you tell me the way to…? Asking someone to explain the route Of course. Walk straight for two blocks, then turn right.
Is this the right way to…? Checking if you are going correctly Yes, you’re going the right way.
How can I get to… from here? Asking for directions from your location Go straight ahead and cross the street.
Can I walk there from here? Asking if a place is close enough to walk Yes, it’s only about five minutes on foot.
Is it far from here? Asking about distance No, it’s quite close.
How long does it take to walk there? Asking about walking time It takes about ten minutes.
Could you repeat that, please? Asking someone to say it again politely Sure. Go straight, then turn left at the traffic light.
Can you show me on the map? Asking for visual directions Yes, here it is on my phone.
Would you mind pointing it out? Asking someone to point to a place Not at all. It’s right over there.

📝 Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Choose the correct word from the box.

(lost – turn left – across from – traffic light – past – on your right – go straight – confused)

  1. I think I’m __________. Can you help me?
  2. Walk __________ for two blocks.
  3. __________ at the next corner.
  4. The café is __________ the bank.
  5. Go __________ the supermarket and you’ll see the library.
  6. The post office is __________.
  7. Stop at the __________ and cross the street.
  8. I’m a bit __________. Can you repeat the directions?

🔗 Exercise 2: Matching

Match the word or phrase with its meaning.

A B
1. Lost a. Keep moving forward
2. Turn right b. Not knowing where you are
3. Go straight c. After another place
4. Past d. Go to the right side
5. Across from e. Directly opposite

✍️ Exercise 3: Choose the Correct Answer

  1. If the shop is across from the park, it is:
    a) next to the park
    b) behind the park
    c) on the opposite side of the park
  2. When someone says “Turn left”, you should:
    a) stop walking
    b) go to the left side
    c) go straight
  3. A traffic light tells you when to:
    a) buy food
    b) stop or go
    c) ask for help

🗣️ Exercise 4: Role-Play (Speaking Practice)

Student A: You are lost. Ask for directions to the library.
Student B: Give directions using at least 3 words below:
(go straight, turn left/right, past, across from, traffic light)

💬 Exercise 5: Discussion (Easy Speaking)

Answer in full sentences.

  1. Have you ever been lost in a new place?
  2. Do you use Google Maps or ask people for directions?
  3. Is it easy or difficult to give directions in English? Why?

Answer key

✅ Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

  1. lost
  2. go straight
  3. turn left
  4. across from
  5. past
  6. on your right
  7. traffic light
  8. confused

✅ Exercise 2: Matching

1 – b
2 – d
3 – a
4 – c
5 – e

✅ Exercise 3: Choose the Correct Answer

  1. c) on the opposite side of the park
  2. b) go to the left side
  3. b) stop or go

✅ Exercise 4: Role-Play (Sample Answer)

Student A: Excuse me, can you help me? How can I get to the library?
Student B: Sure. Go straight, turn left at the traffic light, and the library is across from the café.

(Many answers are correct as long as the directions are clear.)

✅ Exercise 5: Discussion (Sample Answers)

  1. Yes, I have been lost before when I visited a new city.
  2. I usually use Google Maps, but sometimes I ask people for help.
  3. It is a little difficult, but practice makes it easier.

 

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