Living English: Second on the left ( 4)
Living English Episode 4: Second on the left
Anne is looking for John’s office. A woman is waiting at a bus stop. Anne approaches her.
ANNE
Excuse me.
WOMAN
Yes?
ANNE
Could you tell me how to get to Mitchell Street?
WOMAN
Yes. You’re going the wrong way. You need to go straight along here, past the silver balls, turn left, and it’s the second on the right, opposite the Town Hall.
ANNE
Thankyou very much.
WOMAN
You’re welcome.
ANNE follows the directions. She approaches a shopkeeper.
ANNE
Excuse me.
SHOPKEEPER
Yes?
ANNE
I’m looking for number 23. Barbour’s Private Investigator.
SHOPKEEPER
Over there. Next to the trees.
ANNE
Oh. Thankyou
SHOPKEEPER
Good luck. You’ll need it.
ANNE enters the building and goes up the stairs. She knocks at the
door.
JOHN
Come in!
ANNE enters and looks around.
JOHN
(to ANNE) Sorry.
(to phone) Yes, any time…yes usual rates. Must go now. Right. Goodbye. Julia. Bye.
He hangs up and leaps to shake ANNE’s hand.
ANNE
Mr Barbour?
JOHN
John. Private investigator. You must be Ms Lee. Please sit down.
She does so, hesitantly.
JOHN
Now – what can I do for you Ms Lee?
She puts the photo of DAVID on his desk.
ANNE
Could you find him for me?
| 1. ASKING DIRECTIONS | |
| First, to get the attention of a person: Excuse me.
To ask for directions: | |
| ANNE Excuse me.
WOMAN ANNE | |
| ANNE Excuse me. SHOPKEEPER ANNE | |
| Street names and addresses don’t have the in front of them. Could you tell me how to get to Smith Street I’m looking for 23 Mitchell Street. Can you help me? | |
| A particular location can have the in front of it. Could you tell me how to get to the police station? I’m looking for the airport. Can you help me? | |
| WOMAN You need to go straight along here, past the silver balls, turn left, and it’s the second on the right, opposite the Town Hall. | |
| 2. PRESENT CONTINUOUS TENSE | |
| The present continuous tense describes actions that are happening in the present, and continuing into the future. We use the verb ‘to be’ (am, is, are) and the ‘ing’ ending of the action verb. | |
| I am running. He, she or it is running. You are running. We are running. They are running. | |
| We often use contractions in speech. I’m running. He’s running. You’re running. We’re running. They’re running. | |
| WOMAN Yes. You’re going the wrong way.
ANNE | |
| 3. VISITING | |
| When someone knocks at the door. Come in! | |
| ANNE enters the building and goes up the stairs. She knocks at the door.
JOHN
| |
| Greeting someone you are expecting.. You must be ……. .
| |
| JOHN You must be Ms Lee.
| |
| Asking someone to sit down. Please sit down. Won’t you sit down? | |
| JOHN You must be Ms Lee. Please sit down.
| |
| Offering to do something for someone (professionally). What can I do for you? | |
| JOHN Now – what can I do for you Ms Lee?
| |
| 4. DIRECTIONS | |
| Look at the map below. | |
| Find Victoria Square. If you want to go to Parliament House, go straight ahead. (or straight along) If you want to go to Flinders Street, turn to the right. Waymouth Street is the second on the left. | |
| Find Parliament House. Parliament House is opposite Government House. Adelaide Casino is next to Parliament House. Adelaide Casino is between Parliament House and Adelaide Station. Adelaide Casino is to the left of Parliament House. Adeliaide Casino is to the right of Adelaide Station. | |
| WOMAN |