UNIT 8

ASKING FOR DIRECTION AND DESCRIBING A PLACE

By Giri Lumakto, Zainal Arifin, and Eko Budiyadi
LPIDB UMS_dilarang menggandakan materi tanpa ijin LPIDB UMS

Materials and References

Appendix 1

NOTE
1 : Rector’s office and Mosque 10 : Counter
2 : Auditorium 11 : BAA
3 : Building A 12 : Islamic Center
4 : Building B 13 : Bookstore & Computer Shop
5 : Building C (Fakultas 14 : Building F (Fakultas Teknik)
Keguruan dan Ilmu Pend.) 15 : Building G (Fakultas
6 : Building E Ekonomi)
7 : Building I (Fakultas 16 : Building H (Fakultas Teknik)
Psikologi&Pascasarjana) 17 : Building J
8 : Building K (Fakultas 18 : Building L (Fakultas
Farmasi) psikologi)
9 : Bank BPD (Bank Jateng) 19 : Sport Center

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20 : Library 22 : MMC
21 : Bukopin bank

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 Asking somebody for directions

Questions you can ask about directions

• Can you please tell me how do I can get to Slamet Riyadi

Street?
• Where is the nearest supermarket?
• How can I get to the local market?
• I'm trying get to Menco Raya Street.
• How do I get to the office?
• What's the best way to get to your house?
• Where is GoroAssalam, could you please tell me?

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How to give directions to somebody else

• Go straight on till you see the hospital then turn left.

• Turn back, you have gone past the turning.
• Turn left when you see a roundabout.
• Turn right at the end of the road and my house is number 67.
• Cross the junction and keep going for about 1 mile.
• Take the third road on the right and you will see the office
on the right
• Take the third road on the right and you will see the shop on
the left
• Take the second road on the left and you will see the house
on the left
• The hospital is opposite the railway station.
• The shop is near the hospital.
• The house is next to the local basketball ground.
• The shop is in between the chemist and KFC.
• At the end of the road you will see a roundabout.
• At the corner of the road you will see red building. Just
around the corner is my house you will need to stop quickly
or you will miss it.
• Go straight on at the traffic lights.
• Turn right at the crossroads.

Prompted Question Sheet

• Use the phrases of Asking or Giving according to the map

of each meeting
• You can use more that one variations of the useful phrases
available

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Asking Direction Giving Direction Useful Phrases
How do I get to Go straight on (until you come to ...). next to
...? Turn back./ Go back. between
What's the best Turn left/right (into ...-street). at the end (of)
way to ...? Go along .... on/at the corner
Where is ...? Cross ... behind
Excuse me, where Take the first/second road on the in front of
is the ........ left/right (just) around the
please? It's on the left/right. corner
Can you please Straighton .... traffic lights
tell me how I can Go straight on till you see the ...... crossroads,
get to .....? then turn left. junction
Where is Turn back, you have gone past the signpost
the nearest ........? turning. opposite
How can I get Turn left when you see a near
to the .......? roundabout.
I'm trying to Turn right at the end of the road and
get to ........ ......
Cross the junction and keep going
for about 1 mile.
Take the third road on the right and
you will see the ...... on the right
Take the third road on the right and
you will see the ....... on the left
Take the second road on the
left and you will see the ....... on the
left
Take the second road on the
left and you will see the ......
straight ahead
The ........is opposite the .........
The ...... is near the ........
The ...... is next to the .......
The ....... is in between the ....... and
......
At the end of the road you will see
a roundabout ......

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Several tips on asking and giving directions to someone

• Speak slowly so the other person can understand and write down
the instructions.
• Use your hands to demonstrate what you mean,left, right,or
straight on.
• Always use the word "please". It's polite, and people are
more likely to help you!

Appendix 2

Examples of Asking and Giving Direction Conversation

A : (On the street corner) Excuse me, can you help me? I'm lost!
B : Certainly, where would you like to go?
A : I'd like to go to the museum, but I can't find it. Is it far?
B: No, not really. It's about a 5 minute walk.
A : Maybe I should call a taxi ...
B : No, no. It's very easy. Really. (pointing) I can give you
directions.
A : Thank you. That's very kind of you.
B: Not at all. ... Now, go along this street to the traffic lights. Do
you see them?
A : Yes, I can see them.
B : Right, at the traffic lights, turn left into Queen Mary Avenue.
A : Queen Mary Avenue.
B : Right. Go straight on. Take the second left and enter Museum
Drive.
A : OK. Queen Mary Avenue, straight on and then the third left,
Museum Drive.
B : No, it's the SECOND left.
A : Ah, right. The second street on my left.
B : Right. Just follow Museum Drive and the museum is at the end
of the road.
A : Great. Thanks again for your help.
B : Not at all.

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A : Excuse me. Can you tell me the way to the post office?
B : No, I’m sorry. I don’t know. I’m from out of town.
A : (A minute later…) Excuse me. Do you know where the post
office is?
C : Sure. It’s not far from here Walk straight ahead until you get to
Main Street. Then…
A : Sorry to interrupt. How many blocks is that?
C : It’s about two or three blocks. It’s the first traffic light you come
to. When you get to Main Street, turn right and walk one block
to Broadway. Then turn left and go half a block.
A : Which side of the street is it on?
C : Coming from this direction, it will be on your right side. It’s in
the middle of the block, next to Sweets Ice Cream Shop. You
can’t miss it. Do you want me to repeat any of that?
A : No, that’s okay. I’ve got it. Thanks a lot.
C : You’re welcome.