English Conversation - Finding The Way

Mr.Rao, the salesman for Technical sales, has to deliver some fluorescent tubes to a shop in Vasant Vihar. Mr.Rao, who is not too familiar with the roads and localitites in Delhi, asks about how to get to Bright Lights in the Vasnant Vihar market.

Mr.Rao Excuse me, could you please tell me how to get to the shop called Bright Lights?

Passer-by Bright Lights ? Where is this shop situated?

Mr.Rao This shop is in vasant Vihar market. Where is that ?

Passer-by Vasant Vihar is one of the residential colony in south Delhi

Mr.Rao How far is it from connaught place ? Do you think I could walk to Vasant vihar?

Passer-by Oh no. I don’t think you can walk to Vasant Vihar carrying that heavy looking parcel. It is about ten kilometers away.

Mr.Rao I didn’t realize it was so far away. I think I’ll hire a scooter rickshaw to take me to the Vasant Vihar market. Which is the shortest route to Vasant Vihar?

Passer-by Perhaps the shortest route would be to travel down Janpath to the Central Secretariat. Then take the road leading to Teen Murti. From Murti, take the straight road called shanti path till you come to the crossing or Ring Road.

Mr.Rao Is Vasant Vihar near Ring Road?

Passer-by It is a little beyond the crossing of ring Road and Shanti path. You ask the scooter driver on straight ahead on Rao Tulla Ram Marg till you come to a big board which reads Vasant Vihar.

Mr.Rao And there about is the market in the colony?

Passer-by As soon as you enter the colony, take the first turing to the right. After approximately 200 yards, you’ll hit the market on the right hand side of the road.

Mr.Rao Thank you very much for guiding me about the route to Vasant Vihar

Passer-by That’s all right. The scooter stand is around the corner of the next building.

Mr.Rao Thank you again. It is very kind of you to help a stranger.

Mr.Rao reaches the Vasant Vihar market from the scooter.

Mr.Rao Excuse me, is there a shop called Bright Lights in this market?

Passer-by Yes, there is.

Mr.Rao Could you tell me where it is, please?

Passer-by Certainly. You see those three rows of shops?

Mr.Rao Yes.

Passer-by Walk down the third row of shops the row which is farthest form us. Then you turn to the right. You will find a shop which sells automobile spares. Bright Lights is a shop in the basement of the shop selling car spare parts.

Mr.Rao Let me see. You said I walk to the end of the third block of shops. Then I turn right. Bright Lights is in the basement of the spare parts shop. Is that right?

Passer-by Quite right. You won’t find it difficult to find the shop.

Mr.Rao Just one more question. How far is the automobile spare parts shop from the end of the third row of shops?

Passer-by There is block of flats adjacent to the end of the third row of shops. And the automobile spares shop is the second or third shop in that block.

Mr.Rao Thank you very much indeed.

(B) VOCABULARY

Turning bend
Curve side-walk

Phrases

Traffic island pedestrian crossing
To cross over the road traffic lanes

Meanings

Row - line
Farthest - most distant
Basement - underground room
Adjacent - lying near to
Pedestrian - one who is walking
Lane - a narrow road
Traffic - island a traffic post at which a policeman is stationed

(C) Study the following responses:

1. What is the use of having traffic lights and traffic lanes?
Response: The system of traffic lights and traffic lanes is used to regulate traffic to avoid congestion and to avoid the incidence of accidents.

2. Is it good manners to stop a person passing by to ask the way?
Responses: There is no breach of polite manners to inquire about which way to go. But the inquiries should be polite and proper expression of gratitude should be added. Normally, one ought not to make it a long conversation. (In the lesson given here, the questions and answers have been prolonged in order to give practice to the students).

(D) Make suitable responses:

1. Could you tell me the way to the Delhi Main Railway Station, please?
Response ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________

2. What is the sidewalk meant for?
Response ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________