Summary of Giving and Understanding Directions in English
Giving & Understanding Directions in English: A Guide
Introduction
Giving and understanding directions on street maps is a practical everyday skill. This material will help you learn common direction phrases, map vocabulary, and how to describe locations relative to landmarks. You will practice with example sentences and simple map tasks so you can confidently ask for and give directions.
Key vocabulary: go straight, turn left, turn right, next to, opposite, on the left, on the right, past
Basic direction phrases
Short commands and meanings
- Go straight — continue forward along the road
- Turn left — change direction to the left
- Turn right — change direction to the right
Definition: "Next to" means immediately beside something. "Opposite" means directly across from something on the other side of the street.
Visual examples
- Go straight: keep moving along the same road past landmarks.
- Turn left / Turn right: change your direction at a corner or junction.
Describing locations on a map
When describing where something is, use these structures:
- There's a/an + place + next to/opposite + the + landmark.
- Example: "There's a park next to the school."
- The + place + is on the left/right (after/before) + the + landmark.
- Example: "The cafe is on the left after the shoe shop."
- Use "past" to indicate you pass a landmark: "Go straight on past the school."
Definition: "Past" means you go beyond a landmark while continuing in the same direction.
Map-based examples (from the exercises)
Imagine you are at point ① on a small street map.
- Asking for the café:
- "Excuse me, where's the café, please?"
- Example answer: "Go straight on past the school, turn left at the shoe shop. Go straight, the café is on the left, next to the pet shop."
- Asking for the toy shop:
- "Excuse me, where's the toy shop, please?"
- Example answer: "Go straight on past the school, turn left at the castle. The toy shop is on the right, opposite the bookshop."
Now you are at point ②. 3. Asking for the school:
- Example answer: "Go straight, turn left at the park. Go straight past the restaurant, the school is on the right, opposite the museum."
- Asking for the bank:
- Example answer: "Go straight on past the restaurant and turn left at the church. Go straight, the bank is on the left, next to the supermarket."
Task-based practice (how to complete map tasks)
- Read the question carefully and locate the named landmarks on the map.
- Identify relative positions: next to, opposite, on the left/right.
- Use sequence words for directions: first, then, after, past, finally.
Example exercises
- Complete sentences describing positions:
- "There's a ... next to the park."
- "There's a ... opposite the cinema."
- Fill in direction gaps:
- "Go straight on past the school, turn ... at the shoe shop."
- "The toy shop is ... the right, opposite the ..."
True / False map reading practice
- Read each statement and check the map for the locations mentioned.
- Example statements:
- The flower shop is opposite the pet shop.
- The castle is opposite the church.
- The café is opposite the park.
💡 Věděli jste?Fun fact: People in different countries use different common phrases—British English often uses "take the first left/right", while American English often uses "turn left/right".
Table: Common prepositions for map descriptions
| Preposition | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| next to | immediately beside | "The shop is next to the bank." |
| opposite | directly across the street | "The park is opposite the school." |
| near | close but not immediately adjacent | "There's a museum near the cinema." |
| past | go beyond while continuing | "Go past the church and turn right." |
Tips for clear directions
- Use landmarks that are easy to see: schools, banks, parks, churches.
- Give short, step-by-step instructions.
- Mention which side of the street the place is on (left/right).
- Confirm by saying: "Do you know where that
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Giving Directions (Street Maps)
Klíčová slova: Giving directions (street maps)
Klíčové pojmy: Use phrases: go straight, turn left, turn right, Describe location: next to, opposite, on the left, on the right, Use "past" to indicate passing a landmark, Give directions step-by-step using sequence words, Use clear landmarks (school, park, bank), Confirm location by repeating landmarks, For map tasks, identify relative positions first, Short, precise sentences make directions easier to follow, Start directions from a clear starting point, Specify which side (left/right) when possible
## Introduction
Giving and understanding directions on street maps is a practical everyday skill. This material will help you learn common direction phrases, map vocabulary, and how to describe locations relative to landmarks. You will practice with example sentences and simple map tasks so you can confidently ask for and give directions.
> Key vocabulary: go straight, turn left, turn right, next to, opposite, on the left, on the right, past
## Basic direction phrases
### Short commands and meanings
- **Go straight** — continue forward along the road
- **Turn left** — change direction to the left
- **Turn right** — change direction to the right
> Definition: "Next to" means immediately beside something. "Opposite" means directly across from something on the other side of the street.
### Visual examples
- Go straight: keep moving along the same road past landmarks.
- Turn left / Turn right: change your direction at a corner or junction.
## Describing locations on a map
When describing where something is, use these structures:
1. There's a/an + place + next to/opposite + the + landmark.
- Example: "There's a park next to the school."
2. The + place + is on the left/right (after/before) + the + landmark.
- Example: "The cafe is on the left after the shoe shop."
3. Use "past" to indicate you pass a landmark: "Go straight on past the school."
> Definition: "Past" means you go beyond a landmark while continuing in the same direction.
## Map-based examples (from the exercises)
Imagine you are at point ① on a small street map.
1. Asking for the café:
- "Excuse me, where's the café, please?"
- Example answer: "Go straight on past the school, turn left at the shoe shop. Go straight, the café is on the left, next to the pet shop."
2. Asking for the toy shop:
- "Excuse me, where's the toy shop, please?"
- Example answer: "Go straight on past the school, turn left at the castle. The toy shop is on the right, opposite the bookshop."
Now you are at point ②.
3. Asking for the school:
- Example answer: "Go straight, turn left at the park. Go straight past the restaurant, the school is on the right, opposite the museum."
4. Asking for the bank:
- Example answer: "Go straight on past the restaurant and turn left at the church. Go straight, the bank is on the left, next to the supermarket."
## Task-based practice (how to complete map tasks)
- Read the question carefully and locate the named landmarks on the map.
- Identify relative positions: next to, opposite, on the left/right.
- Use sequence words for directions: first, then, after, past, finally.
### Example exercises
1. Complete sentences describing positions:
- "There's a ... next to the park."
- "There's a ... opposite the cinema."
2. Fill in direction gaps:
- "Go straight on past the school, turn ... at the shoe shop."
- "The toy shop is ... the right, opposite the ..."
## True / False map reading practice
- Read each statement and check the map for the locations mentioned.
- Example statements:
- The flower shop is opposite the pet shop.
- The castle is opposite the church.
- The café is opposite the park.
Fun fact: People in different countries use different common phrases—British English often uses "take the first left/right", while American English often uses "turn left/right".
## Table: Common prepositions for map descriptions
| Preposition | Meaning | Example |
| --- | --- | --- |
| next to | immediately beside | "The shop is next to the bank." |
| opposite | directly across the street | "The park is opposite the school." |
| near | close but not immediately adjacent | "There's a museum near the cinema." |
| past | go beyond while continuing | "Go past the church and turn right." |
## Tips for clear directions
- Use landmarks that are easy to see: schools, banks, parks, churches.
- Give short, step-by-step instructions.
- Mention which side of the street the place is on (left/right).
- Confirm by saying: "Do you know where that