Excuse Me, Where Is the Bank?
Transport, getting around & giving directions. Leo helps a visitor find the bank and the supermarket using simple imperatives.
📖 Reading: Leo Helps a Visitor
Leo is standing outside the coffee shop when a woman approaches him.
"Excuse me! I'm sorry to bother you. Do you know where the bank is?" she asks.
"Yes, of course! It's not far," says Leo. "Go straight on this street. At the traffic lights, turn left."
"Turn left at the traffic lights. OK," says the woman.
"Then walk for about two minutes. The bank is on the right, next to the pharmacy."
"Is it far from here?" asks the woman.
"No, it's about five minutes on foot," says Leo.
"Thank you so much! And is there a supermarket near here?"
"Yes! Go back to the traffic lights and take the second street on the right. The supermarket is at the end of the street."
"You are so helpful! Thank you!" says the woman.
"No problem! Welcome to the neighbourhood!" says Leo with a smile.
🔑 Vocabulary Box
Eight key words from this lesson.
| Word | Meaning | Note |
|---|---|---|
| directions | Instructions for how to get to a place | n. — Can you give me directions? |
| traffic lights | Red, orange and green lights that control traffic | n. — Turn left at the traffic lights. |
| pharmacy | A shop where you can buy medicine | n. — The bank is next to the pharmacy. |
| supermarket | A large shop that sells food and household items | n. — There is a supermarket nearby. |
| on foot | Walking (not using transport) | phrase — It is five minutes on foot. |
| straight on | Continue in the same direction without turning | phrase — Go straight on this street. |
| approach | To come near to someone or something | v. — A woman approaches him. |
| bother | To interrupt or cause inconvenience to someone | v. — I'm sorry to bother you. |
📚 Key Verbs in This Lesson | |
to turn (left/right) | Turn left at the traffic lights. / Turn right at the corner. |
to go (straight) | Go straight on this street. |
to take (a street/bus) | Take the second street on the right. / Take the number 5 bus. |
to walk | Walk for two minutes. / The bank is a 5-minute walk. |
📚 Grammar Focus
📚 Giving Directions — Imperatives | |
Go straight on / ahead. | Continue in the same direction. |
Turn left / right. | Change direction to the left or right. |
Take the first / second street. | Use the 1st or 2nd road you see. |
Walk for [time/distance]. | Walk for two minutes. / Walk 100 metres. |
Cross the street / bridge. | Go to the other side of the road. |
Asking for Directions
📚 Asking for Directions | |
Excuse me, where is...? | Excuse me, where is the bank? |
How do I get to...? | How do I get to the hospital? |
Is it far from here? | "No, it's about five minutes on foot." |
Can you tell me how to get to...? | More formal request for directions. |
Transport Vocabulary
📚 Transport Vocabulary | |
On foot | I walk. / I go on foot. (5 min walk) |
By bus / by train / by metro | I take the bus. / Take the number 5 bus. |
By car / by taxi | She goes by car. / Take a taxi. |
By bike | Leo sometimes goes by bike. |
🎭 Dialogue: How Do I Get There?
Leo asks a passerby for directions to the train station. Two blocks straight, then right at the lights — or take the number 7 bus.
Excuse me! Can you tell me how to get to the train station?
Sure! Go straight on this road for two blocks.
Two blocks straight. OK!
Then turn right at the traffic lights. The station is on the left.
Is it far?
No, about ten minutes on foot. Or you can take the number 7 bus.
I'll walk — the weather is nice today. Thank you so much!
No problem! Have a good day!
Practice Exercises
3 questionsNew exercises to reinforce what you learned. Different from the lesson material.
Where does the woman want to go first?
What does Leo tell her to do at the traffic lights?
What is next to the bank?
Practice Exercises
3 questionsNew exercises to reinforce what you learned. Different from the lesson material.
Go ___ on this street. Do not turn.
___ at the traffic lights. (then) Go left.
___ the first street on the right.
🎭 Now It's Your Turn — Role Play
Practice with a partner. Use the dialogue as a model.
- Student A: You are a tourist. You need to find a bank, a hospital, and a restaurant.
- Student B: You are a local. Use a simple map (draw one together) to give directions.
- Use: Go straight / Turn left/right / Take the first street / It is on the left/right / It is about ___ minutes.