Describing Maps and Directions

Giving directions the same or different

Listen to your teacher and hold up the “The same” card or “Different” card that you have been given depending on what you think about the meanings.

Choose one of the lines below and ask your partner first “How different is… and…?” and then “What is the difference between… and…?” if they are different (some are basically the same). There are suggested answers to the questions below. Start with questions about ones you genuinely aren’t sure about. If your partner doesn’t know, you can use your dictionaries or check with your teacher.

AND/ OR
Go through the whole list of things below and write S for the same or D for different next to each line.

Check your answer, then play the holding up cards game in groups.

 

Useful language for comparing/ contrasting

How different are they?/ How similar are they?

• absolutely identical/ exactly the same
• very nearly the same/ only very slightly different/ almost exactly the same/ almost identical/ virtually identical
• practically the same/ basically the same/ almost the same/ nearly the same/ only slightly different
• extremely similar
• very similar
• fairly similar
• considerably different/ substantially different
• very different
• almost completely different
• completely different/ totally different

 

What’s the difference between… and…?

• The main/ biggest/ most important/ most noticeable/ most obvious/ most striking difference between this essay and this essay is…
• A/ An major/ big/ slight/ small/ striking/ obvious/ noticeable/ additional/ -other difference between this essay and this essay is…
• The first essay… but/ while/ whilst/ whereas/ In (complete) contrast the second essay…
• Compared with/ to the first essay, the second essay is a little/ slightly/ fairly/ very/ extremely…

 

How different are they?/ What’s the difference between… and…?

• a little …er/ slightly more…
• somewhat ….er
• quite a lot more…
• considerably …er/ substantially more…
• much …er/ far more…/ a lot more…/ a great deal …er

 

Cards to hold up

The same	Different
The same	Different
The same	Different
The same	Different
The same	Different
The same	Different
The same	Different

Functional language (starting and ending conversations, etc)

• Excuse me./ Pardon?
• Is… near here?/ Is there a… around here?
• Do you know the way to…?/ Do you know how to get to…?
• Can you repeat that?/ Can I check that back?
• Could you say that again?/ Could you repeat that?
• Okay, got it, thanks./ I see.
• Thanks for your help./ Thanks anyway.

 

Positions and directions

• opposite the station/ in front of the station
• on the opposite side of the road/ on the other side of the road
• near (to)/ close to/ in the vicinity of
• very close/ fairly close
• near a convenience store/ next to a convenience store
• next to a bank/ right next to a bank
• next to/ by/ beside
• in the town centre/ at the centre of town
• in the town centre/ within the town centre
• at Shinjuku/ in Shinjuku
• at Oxford Street/ on Oxford Street
• walk to…/ walk towards…
• go towards…/ head towards…
• walk along the corridor/ walk down the corridor
• along the road/ across the road
• turn left/ it’s on your left
• turn left/ take a left/ hang a left
• it’s on the right-hand side/ it’s on the right/ it’s on your right
• take the 3^rd turning on the left/ take the 3rd street on the left/ turn left at the 3^rd corner
• turn left and left again/ take the second turning on your left
• go straight/ go straight ahead
• go straight along this road/ follow this road
• don’t cross the road/ stay on the same side of the road
• go through the park/ go past the park
• go past the park/ go around the park
• go round the park/ go around the park
• pass the post office/ go past the post office
• it’s on the corner/ it’s in the corner
• it’s under…/ it’s below…/ it’s beneath…
• it’s above…/ it’s over…
• go downstairs/ go down the stairs
• take the lift/ take the elevator
• it’s on the ground floor/ it’s in the basement
• on the top floor/ on the roof
• you’ll find us on the third floor/ please come up to the third floor
• Please use the intercom to gain access to the building/ Please buzz us (when you get here) to get in

Towns

• apartment block/ apartment building/ block of flats
• apartment block/ apartment
• apartment/ mansion
• apartment block/ skyscraper
• depart/ department/ department store
• shop/ store
• shopping centre/ shopping mall
• liquor store/ off license
• chemist’s/ pharmacy
• hair salon/ hairdresser
• barber’s/ beauty salon
• launderette/ laundromat
• launderette/ dry cleaner’s
• police box/ police station
• DIY shop/ home improvement store
• church/ cathedral
• shrine/ temple
• amusement arcade/ amusement park
• amusement arcade/ video arcade
• cinema/ movie theater
• movie theater/ theatre
• building/ office building
• factory/ plant
• petrol station/ gas station
• car park/ parking lot
• bank/ bureau de change
• bookshop/ library
• castle/ palace
• surgery/ clinic/ hospital
• zoo/ zoological gardens
• pavement/ sidewalk
• pavement/ path
• road/ street/ lane/ avenue/ cul-de-sac/ alley
• main street/ high street
• crosswalk/ pedestrian crossing
• downtown/ in the town centre
• in the suburbs/ on the outskirts
• pedestrianised area/ traffic-free zone
• phone box/ public phone/ phone booth
• ATM/ cashpoint/ cash machine
• B&B/ bed and breakfast
• B&B/ hotel/ hostel
• consulate/ embassy
• Indian restaurant/ curry house
• primary school/ elementary school
• rear entrance/ back entrance

Transport

• bus station/ bus stop
• flyover/ overpass
• roundabout/ traffic circle
• stoplights/ traffic lights/ traffic signals
• junction/ intersection
• (overland) station/ underground station
• the subway/ The Tube/ the underground
• platform three/ track three
• taxi rank/ taxi stand
• ticket barrier/ turnstile

 

Country

• field/ farm
• stream/ river/ canal
• lake/ pond/ lagoon
• valley/ canyon
• hill/ mountain/ volcano
• wood/ forest
• island/ peninsular
• island/ mainland
• harbour/ bay/ port
• campsite/ campground

 

Indoors

• basement/ mezzanine
• filing cabinet/ (chest of) drawers
• fire alarm/ fire extinguisher/ first aid kit
• (electric) fan/ fan heater
• ATM/ cash machine/ cashpoint
• balcony/ terrace/ patio
• bin/ garbage can/ trashcan
• meeting room/ board room/ conference room
• cloak/ cloakroom
• cafeteria/ canteen
• vending machine/ drinks machine/ watercooler
• toilet/ restroom/ powder room
• elevator/ lift
• stairs/ staircase
• safe/ locker
• reception/ front desk
• (wheelchair) ramp/ (desk) lamp
• storeroom/ warehouse
• milk/ creamer
• copy machine/ photocopier
• toilet roll/ toilet paper