Now let's go back and review some of the structures and idioms you came across in the dialogues.
EXPRESSIONS WITH COMMON VERBS
In English, there are a lot of important expressions that use common verbs. For example, you probably know that the verb get can be used in many different ways. In the two dialogues from this lesson you saw: to get (a ticket), to get to (Stamford), to get off (at Exit 30).
Let's take a closer look at some different expressions formed with a few common verbs. Pay careful attention to the preposition in each example if there is one.
to get
He got a letter from an old friend.
You have to buy a ticket before you get on the train.
We're going to get off the subway at the next stop, so get ready. How do I get to the Anderson Theater?
18 ENGLISH FOR THE REAL WORLD
I get up every morning at 6:30 and go running before breakfast.
He's moving to Seoul next year, so if he wants to get by he'll need to learn Korean.
to turn
He turned red with anger.
At the intersection, turn on to Main Street.
Turn on the lights so I can see what I'm doing! Turn off the music; it's too loud!
Can you turn up the volume on the TV? I can't hear what the reporter is saying.
In fairy tales, people often turn into monsters.
The parking lot was full, so the attendant turned us away. We turned down the wrong road and got lost.
Turn back! This is the wrong way.
You cooked for a lot of people last night! How did the meal turn out? Bad breath turns me off—I'd never date a guy who didn't use mouthwash.
to look
You look beautiful tonight. Don't look at me like that!
I don't like your glasses at all. You look like an owl in them! Dennis looks up to his older brother—he really idolizes him.
Samantha looks down on her colleagues. She thinks she's better than they are.
Could you look over this report and let me know what you think?
I've been looking for my glasses, but I can't find them. Could you look after my cat while I'm on vacation? to take
I'll take my bag with me. If you're hot, take off your coat.
Let's take a trip this spring. I want to go to the Caribbean. I don't believe what you're saying. Do you take me for a fool? Don't drive so fast! Take it easy on these curves—it's raining heavily!
I take it back; I shouldn't have said that.
He doesn't look like his mother; he takes after his father.
to go
The alarm went off, and five minutes later the police arrived. I'm very thirsty. I could really go for a cold drink.
Kevin and Jenny are going out—they've been boyfriend and girlfriend for two months.
The lights are going out all over town—there must be a blackout.
We're lost! Now we're just going around in circles—we've been on this road already!
LESSON 2: ASKING FOR DIRECTIONS 19
Every time I use my cell phone my bill goes up. The temperature usually goes down at night. If you take some aspirin, your fever will go down.
to back up
Please back up your car in the corner over there.
I really need your support. Could you back me up on this?
You should back up your files on a diskette so that you have a copy.
1. Can you tell me how to get (on/off/to) the post office? 2. Could you please turn (up/down/on) the music? It's too loud. 3. That car looks (like/to/after) a beetle.
4. Take (on/after/off) your coat and stay awhile!
5. My alarm clock must be broken; it didn't go . (up/off/on) 6. The woman got (on/in/off) the bus and paid her fare. 7. Turn (in/on/off) to Main Street here.
8. The babysitter is looking (at/up/after) the children while their parents go to the movies.
9. Scott was sorry and took (back/after/in) everything he said. 10. Prices go (after/up/through) every year.
11. I think we've turned (back/away/down) the wrong street. 12. Who do you look to? (down/up/at)
13. Could you do me a favor and look (down/in/over) this letter? 14. Take it I (in/easy/over) You shouldn't eat so fast!
15. I'm hungry. I could go (for/in/to) something to eat.
COMMANDS
When you ask someone for directions, you're going to hear a lot of commands—go, turn, stop, continue, etc. Let's review a few examples of commands.
Turn right at the next traffic light. Don't turn left.
Drive on the right side of the road in the U.S. Don't drive on the left side. Drop me off at the next corner. Don't drop me off at this comer. Ask the police officer for directions. Don't ask me.
As you know, the command form of the verb is just its basic form without any endings. And to make a negative command, just add don't before the verb.
Now turn on the CD and listen to the examples in bold. Repeat in the pauses provided.
PRACTICE: EXPRESSIONS WITH COMMON VERBS
Let's practice some of these expressions. Fill in the blanks using one of the choices provided.
22 ENGLISH FOR THE REAL WORLD
LISTENING EXERCISE
LISTENING EXERCISE 1
Listen to the recorded commands and the clues given after each one. Then form new commands with those clues in the pauses provided. For example, if you hear: Turn left onto Maple Avenue. (Center Street) You'd form this new command: Turn left onto Center Street. You'll hear the correct answer after each pause.
1. Drive over the bridge, (around the traffic circle)
2. Don't park in front of the driveway, (in a no-parking zone) 3. Don't park in front of the driveway, (next to a fire hydrant) 4. The town hall will be on your right, (gas station)
5. The town hall will be on your right, (the post office)
LISTENING EXERCISE 2
Now listen to the sentences, and then restate them using one of the expressions you learned in this lesson.
1. / am searching for Thompson Street.
2. Of course I will support you.
3. My mother takes care of my daughter when I'm gone. 4. He looks like my grandmother.
ANSWER KEY—PRACTICE SECTIONS
VOCABULARY
1. crosswalk 6. about 11. back road 16. rush hour 2. highway 7. responsible 12. ramp 17. stop sign 3. accident 8. exit 13. intersection 18. get off 4. speeding 9. interstate 14. ticket 19. valuables 5. traffic light 10. side road 15. traffic 2O.landmark EXPRESSIONS WITH COMMON VERBS
1. to 5. off 9. back 13. over 2. down 6. on 10. up 14. easy 3. like 7. on 11. down 15, for 4. off 8. after 12. up
A, AN, THE, AND SOME
1. A 6. some 11. a 16.— 2. —/— 7. — 12. The/the 17. an/The 3. a 8. A 13. a 18. an 4. the 9. — 14. a/the 19. An 5. the 10. A/— 15. an 2O.some LISTENING EXERCISE 1
1. Drive around the traffic circle. 2. Don't park in a no-parking zone. 3. Don't park next to afire hydrant. 4. The gas station will be on your right. 5. The post office will be on your right. LISTENING EXERCISE 2 1. I'm looking for Thompson Street. 2. Of course I will back you up!
3. My mother looks after my daughter when I'm gone. 4. He takes after my grandmother.