Navigating the physical world in English—asking where something is, giving directions, or describing a place—is essential for travel, work, and daily life. In this unit, you’ll learn how to talk about locations, use prepositions of place and movement accurately, and ask or answer questions involving direction and spatial relationships.
We’ll introduce vocabulary for places in town (like bank, library, bus stop) and show you how to use structures such as there is / there are and where is...? effectively. You’ll also practice understanding and giving directions, interpreting simple maps, and describing how far or near things are. By mastering these skills, you’ll feel more confident moving around English-speaking environments and helping others do the same.

8.1 VOCABULARY: PLACES IN TOWN
Objective:
To learn and use essential vocabulary for common places in a town or city, understand their functions, and describe what you can do in each place using basic sentence patterns.

🏙️ COMMON PUBLIC PLACES
Place    Description / Use
bank    where you manage money, open accounts, withdraw cash
post office    send letters and packages
police station    report crimes, ask for help
fire station    where firefighters work
city hall / town hall    local government building
library    borrow books, study, use computers
hospital    emergency and medical treatment
health center    general healthcare services

🛍️ SHOPS AND COMMERCIAL PLACES
Place    Description / Use
supermarket    buy food and household items
grocery store    smaller food shop
bakery    buy bread and pastries
butcher’s    buy meat
pharmacy / drugstore    buy medicine and health products
clothing store    buy clothes
shopping mall    large building with many stores
bookstore    buy books and magazines
hairdresser’s / barber’s    get your hair cut

🏞️ LEISURE AND OUTDOOR AREAS
Place    Description / Use
park    relax, walk, exercise, play
square    open public space in a town center
cinema / movie theater    watch films
museum    see exhibitions, art, and history
gym    exercise and fitness training
stadium    watch sports events
zoo / aquarium    see animals or marine life

🍽️ FOOD AND DRINK ESTABLISHMENTS
Place    Description / Use
restaurant    sit down to eat meals
café / coffee shop    drink coffee, tea, eat snacks
bar / pub    drink alcohol, socialize
fast food restaurant    quick meals (e.g. burgers, pizza)
takeaway    food to eat elsewhere

🧭 TRANSPORT-RELATED PLACES
Place    Description / Use
bus stop    wait for the bus
train station    take the train
subway station    access the metro/underground
airport    take flights
taxi rank    get a taxi
petrol station / gas station    refuel a car

🔹 SENTENCE PATTERNS
There’s a bakery on Main Street.
I usually go to the gym after work.
You can catch a bus at the stop in front of the park.
She often reads at the library.
They work at the hospital.

🧠 DESCRIBING WHAT YOU CAN DO IN EACH PLACE
Place    Action Example
supermarket    You can buy groceries.
post office    You can send a package.
park    You can walk your dog.
cinema    You can watch a film.
airport    You can catch a flight.
✅ Use “can” for possibilities: You can buy books at the bookstore.

❗ COMMON MISTAKES
Mistake    Correction    Why?
I go to the library to buy books.    I go to the bookstore to buy books.    Libraries are for borrowing
I take the bus in the stop.    I take the bus at the stop.    Use “at” with stops and stations
She works in the hospital public.    She works in a public hospital.    Adjective order correction

💬 EXAMPLE DIALOG
Jamie: Are there any good places to eat around here?
Lina: Yeah, there’s a great café just across from the park.
Jamie: Nice. What about a place to get groceries?
Lina: The supermarket is two blocks away. You’ll see it next to the pharmacy.
Jamie: And is there a bus stop nearby?
Lina: Sure, it’s right in front of the library. You can’t miss it.
Jamie: Perfect. I’ll grab something to eat and then catch the bus.

8.2 ASKING FOR AND GIVING DIRECTIONS
Objective:
To ask for and give clear, polite directions using appropriate vocabulary, sentence structures, and common expressions for navigation in town or city environments.

🔹 HOW TO ASK FOR DIRECTIONS (POLITELY)
Question    Use Example
Excuse me, how can I get to…?    Excuse me, how can I get to the train station?
Where is the nearest…?    Where is the nearest pharmacy?
Could you tell me how to get to…?    Could you tell me how to get to City Hall?
Is there a … near here?    Is there a bank near here?
What’s the best way to…?    What’s the best way to get to the stadium?
✅ Begin with Excuse me or Sorry to bother you to be polite.

🔸 COMMON RESPONSES: STARTING A DIRECTION
Phrase    Example
Sure. / Of course.    Sure, it’s not far from here.
Go straight (ahead).    Go straight for two blocks.
Turn left / right    Turn right at the traffic light.
It’s on your left / right    The library is on your left.
It’s next to / opposite / between    It’s next to the supermarket.

🧭 DIRECTIONAL VERBS AND PHRASES
Verb / Phrase    Meaning / Use
go past    Go past the bank and you’ll see it.
cross (the street)    Cross the road and you’ll find the café.
take the first / second…    Take the second street on the left.
walk down (a street)    Walk down Main Street until the corner.
follow (a street)    Follow this road for 200 meters.
keep going    Keep going until you reach the roundabout.

🔹 REFERENCE POINTS AND LANDMARKS
Location Phrase    Example
next to    The bank is next to the post office.
in front of / behind    The museum is in front of the cathedral.
on the corner    There’s a bakery on the corner.
across from / opposite    The hotel is across from the park.
between A and B    It’s between the pharmacy and the café.

🔸 GIVING ESTIMATED DISTANCE OR TIME
Expression    Example
It’s about five minutes away.    It’s about a 5-minute walk from here.
It’s just around the corner.    The bookstore is just around the corner.
It’s two blocks down.    It’s two blocks down this street.
It’s not far.    Don’t worry—it’s not far.

❗ COMMON MISTAKES
Mistake    Correction    Why?
How do I arrive to the cinema?    How do I get to the cinema?    Use “get to”, not “arrive to”
Go to right    Turn right / Go right    Prepositions are different in English
It’s in front the supermarket    It’s in front of the supermarket.    “Of” is required after “in front”

💬 EXAMPLE DIALOG
Traveler: Excuse me, how can I get to the museum from here?
Local: Sure. Go straight ahead for about two blocks, then turn left at the traffic lights.
Traveler: Got it. Is it near the river?
Local: Yes, it’s just across from the river, right next to the library.
Traveler: Great. Thanks so much!
Local: No problem. It’s easy to find.

8.3 PREPOSITIONS OF PLACE AND MOVEMENT
Objective:
To understand and correctly use prepositions of place (where something is) and prepositions of movement (where something is going), essential for describing locations and giving directions.

🔹 PREPOSITIONS OF PLACE
Used to describe the position or location of something.
Preposition    Meaning / Example
in    The keys are in the bag.
on    The book is on the table.
under    The cat is under the bed.
next to    The café is next to the bank.
in front of    The car is in front of the house.
behind    The supermarket is behind the park.
between    The school is between the church and the library.
opposite / across from    The pharmacy is opposite the cinema.
above    The clock is above the door.
below    The shoes are below the shelf.
✅ Use “the” when referring to specific places: behind the building, on the desk

🔸 PREPOSITIONS OF MOVEMENT
Used to describe direction or motion from one place to another.
Preposition    Meaning / Example
to    She’s going to the office.
into    He walked into the room.
out of    She came out of the shop.
onto    The cat jumped onto the sofa.
off    He fell off the bike.
through    We walked through the tunnel.
over    The plane flew over the city.
under    The dog ran under the table.
past    Walk past the museum and turn right.
along    They walked along the river.
around    We went around the park.
across    She walked across the street.
✅ Many of these prepositions form part of phrasal verbs, but here they’re used literally for direction.

🔹 COMBINING PLACE AND MOVEMENT
Sentence Example    Explanation
He’s in the room.    Static position
He’s going into the room.    Movement toward inside
They are on the bridge.    Location
They’re walking across the bridge.    Movement over something
She’s walking past the bakery.    Movement going by a place

🔸 PREPOSITIONS IN DIRECTIONS
Use in Directions    Example Sentence
Turn left at the light    Turn left at the traffic lights.
Go past the bank    Go past the bank and it’s on your left.
Walk along the road    Walk along this street until the end.
Go into the building    Go into the building and ask at reception.

❗ COMMON MISTAKES
Mistake    Correction    Explanation
He is on the room.    He is in the room.    Use “in” for enclosed spaces
Go to straight.    Go straight.    “To” is not needed here
The restaurant is in front the hotel.    The restaurant is in front of the hotel.    “of” is required after “in front”
She goes in the car.    She goes into the car.    “In” = location, “into” = movement

💬 EXAMPLE DIALOG
Carmen: Where’s the nearest ATM?
Leo: It’s in front of the supermarket, next to the entrance.
Carmen: Do I turn right at the corner?
Leo: Yes. Walk past the pharmacy and then turn right. The ATM is between the café and the store.
Carmen: Got it. Do I need to go into the supermarket?
Leo: No, it’s outside. Just across from the parking lot.

8.4 THERE IS / THERE ARE
Objective:
To use the structures “there is” and “there are” to describe the existence and presence of people, places, and things in a specific location, both in singular and plural forms.

🔹 BASIC STRUCTURE
Form    Use With    Example
There is    singular nouns / uncountable    There is a bank on the corner.
There are    plural nouns    There are three parks in my town.
✅ Use “there’s” as a contraction of there is: There’s a new café nearby.

🔸 AFFIRMATIVE FORMS
Singular    Plural
There is a hospital near here.    There are two cinemas in the city.
There’s a restaurant on Main St.    There are many people at the station.
✅ Also used with uncountable nouns:
There is milk in the fridge.
There’s traffic on the road.

🔹 NEGATIVE FORMS
Singular    Plural
There isn’t a gas station nearby.    There aren’t any shops open today.
There’s no bank in this street.    There are no public toilets here.
❗ Use “any” in negative plural: There aren’t any buses.
Or use “no” with singular/plural: There’s no bus. / There are no buses.

🔸 QUESTIONS
Type    Example Question    Short Answer
Yes / No    Is there a hotel near here?    Yes, there is. / No, there isn’t.
    Are there any restaurants around here?    Yes, there are. / No, there aren’t.
✅ Use “any” in plural and uncountable questions:
Are there any buses at night?
Is there any milk left?

🔹 QUANTIFIERS WITH “THERE IS / ARE”
Expression    Example
a lot of    There are a lot of tourists today.
some    There are some cafés in this street.
any (questions / negatives)    Are there any parks nearby?
no    There is no parking in this area.

🧠 WORD ORDER TIPS
Use “there is / are” + noun + place (if needed):
There’s a supermarket near the station.
There are many trees in the park.
You can also use adjectives:
There’s a beautiful museum downtown.
There are some nice cafés around here.

❗ COMMON MISTAKES
Mistake    Correction    Why?
There are a supermarket.    There is a supermarket.    Use singular “is” with one item
There is many people.    There are many people.    “People” is plural
Is there restaurants here?    Are there restaurants here?    Use “are” for plural nouns
There have a bank.    There is a bank.    Use “there is”, not “have”

💬 EXAMPLE DIALOG
Tom: Is there a good place to eat around here?
Zoe: Yes, there’s a great restaurant on the next street.
Tom: Are there any vegetarian options?
Zoe: Sure! There are a few vegetarian cafés, too.
Tom: That’s good. And is there a bus stop nearby?
Zoe: No, there isn’t one on this street. But there’s one just two blocks away.

8.5 DESCRIBING LOCATIONS
Objective:
To describe the position of buildings, landmarks, or people within a city, room, or space using accurate vocabulary, prepositions, and descriptive language.

🔹 SENTENCE STARTERS FOR DESCRIBING LOCATION
Expression    Example
It’s located…    The museum is located downtown.
It’s situated…    The school is situated on Hill Street.
It’s in the…    The pharmacy is in the city center.
It’s on the…    The hotel is on the corner of King Street.
You’ll find it…    You’ll find it next to the library.

🔸 KEY VOCABULARY FOR LOCATION
Type    Vocabulary
Directional    left, right, straight ahead, around
Proximity    near, close to, far from
Orientation    corner, intersection, junction, block
Landmarks    across from, next to, behind, in front of
✅ Use landmarks to give clear context:
It’s across from the post office.
It’s near the river, between two cafés.

🔹 PREPOSITIONS COMMONLY USED
Preposition    Example
on the left / right    The bank is on the left.
at the corner    It’s at the corner of Elm and 3rd.
next to    It’s next to a bakery.
opposite / across from    The cinema is opposite the bookstore.
near    The hotel is near the train station.
behind / in front of    The school is behind the church.

🔸 DESCRIBING LOCATION IN DETAIL
Use more than one landmark or detail to be specific:
The supermarket is on Green Street, between a gas station and a pharmacy.
The office is on the third floor, next to the elevator.
Our classroom is at the end of the hallway, past the bathrooms.
You can also describe relative location:
The hospital is two blocks from here.
It’s not far from the city center.

🧠 USEFUL SENTENCE PATTERNS
It’s located in the old town, near the main square.
You’ll find it on the corner, opposite the bank.
There’s a bus stop right in front of the building.
The entrance is at the back of the house.

❗ COMMON MISTAKES
Mistake    Correction    Why?
It is in the right.    It is on the right.    Use “on” for direction
The cinema is in front the station.    The cinema is in front of the station.    “of” is required after “in front”
Is located in the center.    It is located in the center.    Add “it is” for full sentence
Is near from the museum.    It is near the museum.    “Near” does not take “from”

💬 EXAMPLE DIALOG
Alex: Where’s the coffee shop you mentioned?
Lena: It’s in the old quarter, right next to the art gallery.
Alex: Is it near the train station?
Lena: Not really. It’s closer to City Hall—just across from the main square.
Alex: Got it. So I should walk past the cathedral and turn left at the corner?
Lena: Exactly! Then you’ll see it on your right.

8.6 EXPRESSING DISTANCE AND POSITION
Objective:
To describe the distance between places and the relative position of objects or locations using common expressions, vocabulary, and sentence structures.

🔹 TALKING ABOUT DISTANCE
Expression    Example
It’s (just) around the corner.    The pharmacy is just around the corner.
It’s a (five-minute) walk.    It’s a ten-minute walk from here.
It’s two blocks away.    The school is two blocks away.
It’s not far.    The library isn’t far from here.
It’s quite far.    The zoo is quite far—you’ll need a car.
It’s about 200 meters away.    The bus stop is about 200 meters away.
✅ Use units like meters, kilometers, minutes (by foot or car) to give clear estimates.

🔸 EXPRESSING POSITION WITH REFERENCE POINTS
Reference Phrase    Example Sentence
next to    The ATM is next to the supermarket.
between    The café is between the bookstore and the bank.
in front of    The taxi rank is in front of the station.
behind    There’s a parking lot behind the building.
opposite / across from    The restaurant is across from the hotel.
at the end of the street    The museum is at the end of this street.
on the corner of X and Y    The shop is on the corner of Pine and 3rd.

🔹 QUESTIONS FOR ASKING ABOUT DISTANCE AND POSITION
Question    Typical Response
How far is it from here?    It’s about 5 minutes on foot.
Is it close / far from the train station?    It’s pretty close—just around the corner.
Where exactly is it?    It’s just past the roundabout, near the park.
✅ Combine distance and position in one answer to be more helpful:
It’s about 300 meters away, next to a big white building.

🔸 DESCRIBING DISTANCE USING TRANSPORTATION
Phrase    Example
a five-minute walk / drive    It’s a five-minute walk to the bakery.
by foot / by car / by bus    You can get there by bus in ten minutes.
a short ride    It’s a short ride by taxi.
within walking distance    The café is within walking distance.

❗ COMMON MISTAKES
Mistake    Correction    Why?
Is far from here?    Is it far from here?    Question form needs auxiliary
It’s to five minutes by foot.    It’s a five-minute walk.    Avoid literal translation
It’s near to the station.    It’s near the station.    “Near” doesn’t need “to”
How many distance is it?    How far is it?    Use “how far” for distance

💬 EXAMPLE DIALOG
Isla: How far is the museum from here?
Tom: Not far. It’s just a ten-minute walk.
Isla: Great. Is it near the river?
Tom: Yes, it’s right behind the bridge—next to the city gallery.
Isla: So I just go straight and cross the bridge?
Tom: Exactly. Then it’s on your left, at the end of the street.

8.7 ASKING QUESTIONS WITH “WHERE”
Objective:
To use the question word “where” to ask about the location or position of people, objects, or places, and to form grammatically correct questions using the present simple and “to be”.

🔹 USING “WHERE” TO ASK ABOUT LOCATION
Question Type    Example Question
Place or building    Where is the library?
Person’s location    Where is Sarah?
Object’s location    Where are my keys?
Event location    Where is the meeting?
Asking about origin    Where are you from?
✅ Use “Where + is/are” for current location questions.
✅ Use “Where do/does” for habitual or general questions.

🔸 STRUCTURE 1: “WHERE + TO BE + SUBJECT?”
Subject Type    Example Question    Response Example
Singular    Where is the restaurant?    It’s near the cinema.
Plural    Where are the toilets?    They’re next to the exit.
People    Where is your sister?    She’s at home.
Objects    Where are my glasses?    They’re on the table.

🔹 STRUCTURE 2: “WHERE + DO/DOES + SUBJECT + VERB?”
Used to ask about regular places or destinations.
Example Question    Response Example
Where do you work?    I work downtown.
Where does he live?    He lives in Madrid.
Where do they study?    They study at the university.
✅ Use do/does for actions, not static location.

🔸 COMMON VOCABULARY FOR RESPONSES
Category    Expressions
General places    at home, at work, at school, at the office
Cities/countries    in London, in Spain, in New York
Directions    on the right, around the corner, over there
Position    on the desk, under the bed, in my bag
Use “in, on, at, under, behind, next to” to give location details.

🧠 SHORT ANSWERS AND CLARIFICATIONS
Where is Tom? → He’s at the gym.
Where do you live? → I live in Seville.
Where are the glasses? → They’re in the kitchen, next to the sink.
Where’s the station? → It’s behind the supermarket.

❗ COMMON MISTAKES
Mistake    Correction    Why?
Where you live?    Where do you live?    Missing auxiliary “do”
Where is live your friend?    Where does your friend live?    Wrong word order
Where are the hospital?    Where is the hospital?    Use singular verb with singular noun
Where is the keys?    Where are the keys?    “Keys” is plural

💬 EXAMPLE DIALOG
Carlos: Where’s the nearest cash machine?
Nina: There’s one across the street, next to the bakery.
Carlos: And where do you usually do your shopping?
Nina: I go to the market on Saturdays. It’s near the church.
Carlos: Where do you live, by the way?
Nina: I live in a small flat behind the train station.

8.8 FOLLOWING A MAP OR A GUIDE
Objective:
To develop the ability to understand and follow directions using a map or guide, including interpreting visual instructions and using spatial language in English.

🔹 UNDERSTANDING A MAP
When using a map, focus on:
•    Landmarks: parks, buildings, statues, rivers, etc.
•    Orientation: where you are (“You are here”)
•    Symbols: icons for metro stations, toilets, restaurants, etc.
•    Compass directions: north, south, east, west
✅ Always identify your starting point and the destination.

🔸 USEFUL VOCABULARY AND PHRASES
Word / Phrase    Meaning
Go straight / Go ahead    Continue forward
Turn left / right    Change direction at a point
Take the first / second…    First or second street/turn available
Walk past    Continue walking beyond a landmark
Cross (the street)    Go to the other side of the road
Follow (the street)    Stay on the same street
At the roundabout    Traffic circle – choose an exit
Across from / Opposite    On the other side
Next to / Beside    Very close, directly adjacent
At the corner    Where two streets meet

🔹 READING GUIDE INSTRUCTIONS
Guide Instruction Example    Interpretation
From the station, go straight for two blocks.    Walk in a straight line past two crossings
Turn right at the lights.    Turn when you see traffic signals
The museum is on your left, across from the hotel.    The museum is opposite the hotel
Take the second exit at the roundabout.    Follow the road that leaves second at the circle

🧭 DIRECTIONAL LANGUAGE ON A MAP
Direction    Description
north    up / top of the map
south    down / bottom of the map
east    right side of the map
west    left side of the map
✅ Combine compass points: northeast, southwest

🔸 INTERPRETING A WALKING ROUTE
Step-by-Step Description    Visual Effect on Map
Start at the train station    Locate the icon or label on map
Walk along Main Street    Follow the line of the road
Turn right at the second intersection    Look for the second crossing
Pass the supermarket and the school    Identify and walk past these icons
The library is next to the park    Final destination is adjacent to the park

🧠 TIPS FOR USING A GUIDE
Look for bold or highlighted street names
Trace your route before starting
Use visual reference points (bridges, rivers, towers)
Always note distances or time (5 min walk, 300 meters, etc.)

❗ COMMON MISTAKES
Mistake    Correction    Why?
Cross to the street.    Cross the street.    No preposition needed
Turn to the right.    Turn right.    “To” is unnecessary
Walk through the street.    Walk along the street.    Use “along” for streets
Take the street second.    Take the second street.    Word order is incorrect

💬 EXAMPLE DIALOG
Sam: I’m looking at the map. Where do we start?
Lara: We’re here—at the station. Go straight along Oak Street.
Sam: Okay. Do we turn at the roundabout?
Lara: Yes, take the second exit. Then walk past the school and turn right.
Sam: Got it. The museum should be just ahead, across from the park.
Lara: Exactly! It’s right next to the café with the red awning.

8.9 UNIT 8 REVIEW
Objective:
To review and reinforce all vocabulary, grammar, and communication skills from Unit 8 related to places, directions, prepositions, and navigating spaces.

📘 WHAT YOU LEARNED IN THIS UNIT
🔹 VOCABULARY: PLACES IN TOWN
Common locations: library, pharmacy, bank, park, supermarket, train station
Describing purpose and services at each place:
→ You can borrow books at the library.
→ There’s a pharmacy next to the supermarket.

🔹 ASKING AND GIVING DIRECTIONS
Polite question forms:
→ Excuse me, how can I get to…?
→ Is there a … near here?
Directional phrases:
→ Turn left, go straight ahead, walk past, take the second right

🔹 PREPOSITIONS OF PLACE AND MOVEMENT
Place: in, on, under, behind, next to, in front of, between, opposite
Movement: into, out of, across, over, along, past, through, around

🔹 “THERE IS / THERE ARE”
There is a café on the corner.
There are two museums in this area.
Used with quantifiers: some, any, a lot of, no

🔹 DESCRIBING LOCATIONS
Combine spatial language:
→ The post office is behind the supermarket, on the left side of the street.
Use reference points:
→ It’s across from the park and next to the cinema.

🔹 EXPRESSING DISTANCE AND POSITION
Time and proximity phrases:
→ It’s a five-minute walk.
→ It’s not far from here.
→ It’s just around the corner.

🔹 ASKING WITH “WHERE”
Where is the bakery? → It’s near the church.
Where do you usually go shopping? → I go to the mall downtown.

🔹 FOLLOWING A MAP OR A GUIDE
Understanding written and oral instructions:
→ Walk along the river, then turn right at the bridge.
Navigating using landmarks and clear steps

🔹 LISTENING PRACTICE: NAVIGATING SPACES
Recognizing fast-paced spoken instructions
Listening for reference words, sequence markers, and location clues

💬 EXAMPLE DIALOG
Ravi: Is there a cash machine nearby?
Lena: Yes. Go straight for one block, then turn left. It’s next to the post office.
Ravi: Got it. Is it far from the train station?
Lena: Not really. It’s just a five-minute walk from there.
Ravi: Thanks! And where’s the museum?
Lena: It’s across from the library, behind the main square.
Ravi: Perfect. I’ll visit after lunch.