The moment

Ananya is driving to a barbecue at Eric's house outside Austin. His street isn't on her map yet, because it's new. She calls him from the car, a little lost. Listen for all the direction words from this unit: exits, lights, a T, a dead end, and the one line every lost driver needs.

The conversation

AnanyaEric
  1. Ananya
  2. Eric
  3. Ananya
  4. Eric
  5. Ananya
  6. Eric
  7. Ananya
  8. Eric
  9. Ananya
  10. Eric
  11. Ananya
  12. Eric
  13. Ananya
  14. Eric

Words to know

says it's fine; don't worry

directly ahead of where I am

asks for the next step

something seems true but is not

Check yourself

1How does Eric know Ananya went too far?
2Why does Eric say "It looks like a dead end, but it isn't"?
3What does Ananya repeat to check the directions?

Practice · 3 min

Play each line and repeat it in the gap. Then take Ananya's part with her lines muted. Her best line is "A left at the gas station. Then what?" She repeats the step, then asks for the next one. Use that shape any time you take directions on the phone.

  1. AnanyaHi, Eric. I think I'm lost.
  2. EricNo problem. Where are you?
  3. AnanyaI got off the freeway at exit forty-one.
  4. EricGood. Then you turned right at the first light?
  5. AnanyaYes. Now I'm at a T. There's a school in front of me.
  6. EricA school? Oh, you went too far.
  7. AnanyaShould I turn around?
  8. EricYes. Go back two blocks, to the gas station.
  9. AnanyaOkay. And then?
  10. EricMake a left there. It looks like a dead end, but it isn't.
  11. AnanyaA left at the gas station. Then what?
  12. EricWe're the third house on the right. Blue door.
  13. AnanyaGot it. See you in five minutes.
  14. EricGreat. The burgers are almost ready.

Say it today

Use it once in a real conversation before tomorrow. Out loud counts, even to yourself.