Casa ESL · A2 Elementary · Unit 6 of 20 · Step 1
Places & Giving Directions
Name
Date
Vocabulary
opposite
prepositionOn the other side of a street or space from something.
"The pharmacy is opposite the bank."
corner
nounThe point where two streets or lines meet.
"Turn left at the corner."
block
nounA section of a street between two intersections.
"The supermarket is two blocks from here."
straight ahead
phraseDirectly forward without turning.
"Go straight ahead and you will see the library."
turn
verbTo change direction.
"Turn right at the traffic lights."
past
prepositionFurther than or beyond a place.
"Walk past the post office and the school is on the left."
between
prepositionIn the space separating two places or things.
"The café is between the bookshop and the florist."
avenue
nounA wide road, often with trees or important buildings.
"The hotel is on Fifth Avenue."
Grammar Focus
Prepositions of place and direction
Use next to, opposite, between, behind, in front of, on the corner of, near for describing position. Use turn left/right, go straight, walk past for giving directions.
The post office is next to the supermarket on Oak Street.
Turn left at the traffic lights and walk straight for two blocks.
The park is between the library and the swimming pool.
The hotel is opposite the train station — you can't miss it.
Exercises
Exercise 1
Choose the correct preposition: next to · opposite · between · past · straight ahead.
1. Go for 200 metres and turn right.
2. The bakery is the post office and the pharmacy.
3. The gym is the park — on the other side of the road.
4. Walk the school and keep going until you reach the roundabout.
5. My flat is the café on the ground floor.
Exercise 2
Match the directions to the descriptions.
Reading
A Helpful Neighbour
Last week a new family moved into the apartment opposite mine. The mother knocked on my door and asked for directions to the nearest supermarket. I told her to go straight ahead to the end of our street, then turn left. After about one block, there is a pharmacy on the corner. The supermarket is right next to the pharmacy. She also asked about a good café. I suggested the one between the bookshop and the florist on Market Avenue. She thanked me and came back with a box of pastries.
1. Where is the supermarket in relation to the pharmacy?
2. Where is the café the writer recommended?
Speaking
Discuss these questions with a partner or your teacher.
Writing
Write 4–6 sentences describing where you live. Mention three or four places near your home and where they are located.
Example: I live in a flat on a quiet street near the centre. There is a small supermarket next to my building. The nearest metro station is opposite a large park, about three minutes from my door. Between my street and the main road there is a café I go to every Saturday morning.
Answer Key — For Teacher Use
Exercise 1
1. straight ahead · 2. between · 3. opposite · 4. past · 5. next to
Exercise 2
1. Turn right at the lights → change direction to the east/right side · 2. Take the first left → go into the next road on the left side · 3. It's on your right → the building is to your right as you walk · 4. You can't miss it → it is very easy to see or find · 5. It's about five minutes on foot → walking there takes approximately five minutes
Reading Comprehension
1. The supermarket is next to the pharmacy. · 2. It is between the bookshop and the florist on Market Avenue.