Comprehension: Landmark – JSS1 English Lesson Note (Second Term)

A landmark is an easily seen place or object, such as a tree, a church, a bank or a petrol station, that helps people find their way. In a comprehension passage on directions, two friends talk about how to reach a place. Clear directions use landmarks, turns and distances.

Reference for teachers: Effective English, Book 1, Unit 10, page 131 (a discourse between two friends on how to give clear direction). The dialogue below is a short model passage for practice and can be used with or after the textbook passage.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

• explain what a landmark is;
• read a dialogue on directions and answer questions on it;
• use words such as left, right, straight, opposite and next to when giving directions;
• give simple, clear directions using landmarks.

What is a landmark?

A landmark is a place or object that is easy to see and remember. It tells a traveller where to turn or where to stop. Examples in a Nigerian town are a big tree, a market, a church or mosque, a school gate, a bank and a petrol station.

Which words help us give clear directions?

Model passage: giving directions to a friend

Bola is on the phone with his friend Chika. He is going to her house for the first time.

Bola: Hello, Chika. I am at the bus stop in front of Unity Bank. How do I get to your house?

Chika: Good. Walk straight along the main road until you reach a big mango tree.

Bola: A big mango tree. Then what?

Chika: Turn left at the tree. You will see a white church on your right.

Bola: Okay.

Chika: Continue past the church until you get to a petrol station. My house is the second house after the petrol station. It is opposite a small shop, and the gate is blue.

Bola: How long will the walk take?

Chika: About ten minutes.

Bola: Thank you. See you soon.

Comprehension questions

1. Where is Bola when he calls Chika?
2. What is the first landmark Chika mentions?
3. Which way must Bola turn at the mango tree?
4. What colour is the church?
5. How long will the walk take?

Answers

1. At the bus stop in front of Unity Bank.
2. A big mango tree.
3. Left.
4. White.
5. About ten minutes.

Useful vocabulary

• Landmark: a place or object that helps you find your way. Example: The mango tree is a landmark on our street.
• Opposite: facing something from across a road or space. Example: The shop is opposite the school.
• Continue: to go on without stopping. Example: Continue to the end of the road.
• Junction: a place where two or more roads meet. Example: Turn right at the junction.

Classroom activity

Put students in pairs. One student gives directions from the classroom to the school gate, using at least two landmarks. The partner listens and says where the directions end.

Evaluation

Do Practice 2 and 3 in Effective English, Book 1, Unit 10, page 131. Then answer these questions on the model passage.

1. What is a landmark?
2. Which landmark comes after the white church?
3. Which house is Chika’s: the first, second or third after the petrol station?
4. What is opposite Chika’s house?
5. Which word in the passage means “go on”?

Answer key

1. A place or object that is easy to see and helps people find their way.
2. The petrol station.
3. The second house.
4. A small shop.
5. Continue.

Assignment

Copy and complete each sentence using the model passage.

1. Chika’s gate is ______.
2. Bola must turn ______ at the mango tree.
3. The church is on Bola’s ______ after the turn.
4. Chika lives in the ______ house after the petrol station.

Answer key

1. blue
2. left
3. right
4. second