06: Asking for directions

Read the dialogue below.

Man: Excuse me. Can you please tell me how to get to the nearest hospital?

Woman: Sure. The nearest hospital is only two blocks away from here.

Man: Two blocks?

Woman: Yes. Walk straight along this road and you will see a bank at the corner. Turn right, walk straight and you will see the hospital across the street from the supermarket.

Man: Okay. Just to be sure, I’ll walk straight, turn right, straight again and it’s next to the supermarket?

Woman: No, it’s across the street from the supermarket.

Man: Oh yeah, right. Thank you very much!

Woman: You are welcome. I hope you can get there safely.

a. Where was the man going?

b. What did the woman tell the man to do when he reaches a bank?

c. How good are you at directions?

d. What should a person do when he or she gets lost?

e. Who or what do you consult about directions when you need to go to an unfamiliar place?

Practice the following expressions:

a. Can you tell me how to get to ________________?

b. It will take ______ minutes to get there.

c. It’s a _____-hour drive from here.

d. At the corner

e. Across the street