Unit 7 This Way or That Way?



Part Ⅰ Getting ready

In every big city, traffic may prove to be a sticky problem. To have a system of effective traffic you need good engineering. In order to achieve this goal, traffic rules and regulations as well as devices such as signals, signs, and markings are installed to relieve vehicular congestion and to promote safety and pedestrian mobility.

A The following words and phrases will appear in this unit. All of them are related to traffic. Listen carefully and study the definitions.

1. block: a building or group of buildings built between two streets

2. terminus: a stop or station at the end of a railway or bus line

3. cross-roads: a place where two or more roads cross

4. traffic lights: a set of coloured lights, usually red, green and yellow, used for controlling and directing traffic especially where one road crosses another

5. plaza; a public square or marketplace, especially in towns in Spanish-speaking countries

6. roundabout: traffic circle; a place where three or more roads meet, with a circular area in the middle round which the traffic must go, rather than straight across

7. exit: side road; branch road

8. dual carriageway: divided highway; a main road on which the traffic travelling in opposite directions is kept apart by a central band or separation of some sort

9. ring road: a road that goes round the edge of a large town so that traffic does not have to pass through the centre

10. by-pass: a road that passes round the side of a town or other busy area



B Here are some short conversations about asking the way. Pay special attention to verbs. Supply the missing words.

1. Woman: Do you know how to get to Jane's house from here?

Man: Yeah. Stay on this road until you get to 21st Street. Then take a left.



Woman: Left on 21st Street. OK ...

Man: Stay on 21st Street for about three blocks until you come to Main Street. Then turn right.



Woman: Left on 21st, right on Main Street.

Man: He lives at 476 Main Street. It's on the right side of the street.



2. Man: Should I turn right here?

Woman: No. Keep going straight and turn at the next light.

Man: Do you mean at Scott Road?

Woman: That's right. Turn right there.

3. Man: How far is it from here to Los Angeles?

Woman: Oh,about five hours by car.

Man: What's the best way to get there?

Woman: I-10 is the fastest.

4. Peter: We're having a party on Tuesday. It's Jenny's birthday. Would you like to come?



Joe: Sure. How do I get to your house?

Peter: Well, turn right after the hospital and we're on your left.

Joe: OK. See you on Tuesday.

Part Ⅱ Giving directions

A You are going to hear three statements and two conversations about giving directions. All of them are based on the following map. Look at the map and trace the routes while listening.

1. When you leave Town Hall, turn left into Cotton Street and walk to the corner. Turn right on South Park Street and walk about a block. Then turn left on Twist Avenue. The museum's on that avenue, near the next cross-roads, on your left.

2. When you leave the bank, turn left on Central Avenue and walk for about ten minutes to South Park Street. Turn right and walk one block. The Department Store is on your right, across Main Street.

3. When you leave MacDonald's, turn right on Queen's High Street and walk about half a block to Main Street. Turn right and walk two blocks to the end of Main Street. Then turn left. The train station is on that street, on your right.

4. David: Hellow? 6939822.

Paul: Hello? Can I speak to David, please?

David: This is David speaking. Who's that?

Paul: David, this is Paul.

David: Hello, Paul. How are you?

Paul: Fine, thanks, but I can't remember how to get to your house.

David: Where are you now?

Paul: I'm phoning from the Post Office.

David: South Park Street or Queen's High Street?

Paul: Queen's High Street. I don't know which bus to take.

David: Take a number six (bus)from the terminus. It goes to Portland Plaza.

Paul: Where's the terminus?

David: Turn right outside the Post Office and walk past the Twist Avenue until you reach the Big Church. The bus terminus is opposite the Church on your right.

Paul: Thanks very much. See you soon. Goodbye.

5. Tourist: Excuse me.

Jane: Yes?

Tourist: Can you tell me the way to the Art Gallery, please?

Jane: Certainly. Go out of the Agency,turn right, and go along Main Street.

Tourist: Along Main Street.

Jane: Yes, and turn right at the Hilton Hotel.

Tourist: Right at the Hilton.

Jane: Then go up Queen's High Street past the Grand Cinema.

Tourist: The Grand Cinema.

Jane: Yes.Then cross the road at the next traffic lights. The Art Gallery is straight ahead, on your right. You can't miss it.

Tourist: That's very kind of you. Thank you. Er ... have you got a pencil? (Do you have a pencil?)

Jane: Yes. Why?

Tourist: Can you repeat all that? I think I'd better write it down.

B Now try this: listen to some more authentic versions of the statements and conversations. Complete the directions.

Part Ⅲ Finding the way

A You are going to hear a conversation in which a lost motorist phones her friend in a call box for directions. While listening for the first time, focus on the key words, add more key words if you can in the left-hand column. After the second listening complete the route in the right-hand column with the help of the notes.

Jackie: 99522. Hello.

Fiona: Hello Jackie!

Jackie: Fiona! Where are you?

Fiona: Oh, ah, dear! I seem to have got lost.

Jackie: Oh!

Fiona: Well, I mean, not completely lost, I am in Oxford.

Jackie: Oh well done! Well done!

Fiona: I think I am, anyway.

Jackie: Er ... whereabouts?

Fiona: Well, erm ... near the Polytechnic. You see, I came down the London Road (Un-huh) through Headington (Uh-huh) and then I turned left (Uh-huh) and then I found the Polytechnic and there's a phone box here (Ah) and I'm facing it now ...)

Jackie: Yes (if you see what I mean) I think I know where you are. (Mm-mm) I know where you are. Erm ... well, you've gone completely the wrong way.

Fiona: Oh no, have I? (Yes, yes) Oh dear.

Jackie: Erm ... the best thing to do is to turn round and go back to the London Road.

Fiona: Oh ... the way I came?

Jackie: That's right, to the roundabout.

Fiona: So I go back through Headington, yes ...

Jackie: Yes, to the roundabout. That's where you came off the M40, in fact.

Fiona: That's right, yes.

Jackie: OK. Well, take the first exit on the left ...

Fiona: The first exit on the left.

Jackie: At the roundabout there...

Fiona: Uh-huh.

Jackie: And it's a dual carriageway. (Mm-mm) It's all part of the ring road that goes round the city.

Fiona: Oh yes, I see (OK) OK.

Jackie So you go along the by-way (by-pass) (Mm) erm ... until you come to the next roundabout (Mm) and at that roundabout, go straight across.

Fiona: Yes.

Jackie: All right, then go on a bit further — it's not far — and then you'll come to yet another roundabout. (Mm-mm) Now that's the third roundabout. (OK) All right? (Yes) And there you take the second exit on the left.

Fiona: OK.

Jackie: And this is quite a small road. It's called Godstow Road. (Godstow Road) Yes. (Right) And you go down that road, (Mm-mm) over a bridge and (Yes) our road is the second on the left after the bridge.

Fiona: OK, so over the bridge (Mm-mm) and then second on the left.

Jackie: Uh-huh. OK, I'll put some coffee on.

Fiona: Oh lovely.

Jackie: See you soon.

Fiona: Bless you! OK, See you later.

Jackie: Bye.

Fiona: Bye.

B Now try this: listen to a more authentic version of the conversation.

Part Ⅳ More about the topic: You Can't Miss It

The following short story is about two brothers asking the way in Boston. Supply the missing words while listening.

Last summer my brother and I stayed for a week with some family friends in Boston. That was our first trip away from home and we wanted to see something of Boston's beautiful places.

One morning we started out to look for a famous tower. We stopped a stranger and asked politely. “Excuse me, could you tell us how to get to the Tower of Boston, please?”

“Go three blocks and turn to your left,” the man said quickly. “You can't miss it.”

So we walked three blocks and turned to our left, but the tower wasn't there. We then asked a second stranger. “Excause me, how do we get to the Tower of Boston?”

“Go three blocks and turn to our left.You can't miss it,” the man answered without any hesitation.

But again we couldn't find the tower. Finally we asked a third stranger.

“Excuse me, where is the Tower of Boston?”

“Go three blocks and turn to your left. You can't miss it.” the man replied unwittingly.

This time we found the tower, but we wondered if everything in Boston was three blocks and a left turn away. Just then somebody came up to us and said, “Excuse me, do you know where I can buy some bread around here?”

“Go three blocks and turn to your left,” my brother said loudly, “You can't miss it.”

Part Ⅴ Memory test: Steve's First Morning

A The following listening material is about Steve's first morning at the polytechnic college . Listen carefully (preferably only one time). The comprehension material is followed by some questions. Find the right answers as quickly as possible according to the notes you have taken while listening.

Steve's first morning

Steve was rather nervous about his first day of the polytechnic. He didn't know any other students and he didn't know his way around the buildings. At 9 o'clock, he was at the main entrance with a crowd of hundreds of other students. All of them seem to know what to do except Steve. Then he found a notice.There was a meeting for all the first-year students. He found them all waiting in the large hall. First, the director of the Polytechnic welcomed them. Then the head of students' services, and finally the head of physical education.

Head of phyical education: "I'm here to tell you about the sport you can do at the Poly. Here in Edington, we have a fitness room where you can do exercises to keep fit, and weekly you can do all sorts of sports, such as tennis, football, hockey and badminton. But there are also many other activities. You can go sailing. You can go down-caves. you can go climbing and many more. We hope all of you will take part in at least one of these. If you want to join, come on weekly on Wednesday afternoon. Any questions?"

A student: "What about swimming?"

Head of phyical education: "We don't have our own pool. But you can swim in the public pools in Hanksy or Muston Ferry."

After the meeting was over, Steve looked at his timetable. His first class was business studies,and was in Room 316. But where was Room 316?

Steve: "Excuse me. Do you know where Room 316 is?"

Male student 1: "Oh, I haven't a clue mate."

Steve: "Do you know where Room 316 is?"

Female student 1: "No,do you?"

Steve: "I'm looking for Room 316."

Male student 2: "Oh, not another first year. Look at the notice board."

Steve: "But where is the notice board?"

Male student 2: "Don't ask me."

Steve: "Could you tell me where Room 316 is?"

Female student 2: "You mean business studies for Catering students."

Steve: "That's it."

Female student 2: "Oh, I'm looking for it for myself. You're a first-year?"

Steve: "Yes."

Female student 2: "So am I.Let's see if we can find it together."

Questions for memory test:

1. Where was Steve at 9 o'clock?

2. How many people made welcome speeches at the meeting for all the first year students?

3. Who are they?

4. What kinds of sports are available in Edington Polytechnic?

5. What was Steve's first class?

6. Where will he have the class?

7. How many students did Steve ask when he tried to find his class?

8. Did he get the answer?

B You are going to hear some short conversations about giving directions (preferably only one time). All of them are based on the following map. Look at the map and trace the routes while listening.

1. Man: Excuse me, officer. Can you direct me to Young's Shoe Store？

Policeman: Certainly. Go straight up this street for two blocks. There's a traffic light there. Turn right. It's in the middle of the block on the left. You can't miss it.

Man: Thank you.

Policeman: You're welcome.

2. Woman: I beg your pardon. I'm a stranger here. Can you tell me how to get to the post office?

Policeman: Yes, it's right over there. You can see it from here. It's that red building on the other side of the street.

Woman: Oh, thank you very much.

Policeman: Don't mention it.

3. Woman: Do you know where the Palace Restaurant is?

Policeman: Yes, it's next to the theatre and opposite the drugstore. You can't miss it.

4. Man: How far is it to the hospital?

Policeman: It's not far. Walk west on Grand Avenue until you come to Pine Street. That's about four or five blocks. Turn right on Pine and go two blocks. You'll be able to see the hospital then.

Man: Thank you very much.

Policeman: Not at all.

5. Woman: Do you know where Mercer's Jewellery Store is?

Policeman: Yes, it's in the 300 block on Cedar Street.

Woman: How do I get there?

Policeman: Walk over one block to Cedar Street. Turn left there and go two blocks. Mercer's is in the next block. It's either the fourth or fifth store on your left-hand side.

Woman: Oh, thank you very much.

Policeman: You're welcome.