Understanding Ambiguous Directions
An employee gives directions that are a bit unclear or use store-specific terminology, and the customer needs to ask for clarification.
Dialogue
Listen and follow along with the conversation
Vocabulary
Essential words and phrases from the dialogue
oat milk
A non-dairy alternative to milk made from oats, often used by people who avoid animal products.
dairy section
The area in a supermarket where milk, cheese, and other milk-based products are sold.
chiller
A refrigerated display case used to keep food and drinks cold in stores.
yogurt
A creamy dairy product made from fermented milk, often eaten as a snack or in desserts.
fresh produce
Fresh fruits and vegetables sold in the supermarket, usually in a dedicated area.
shelf
A flat board or surface in a store where products are placed for customers to see and buy.
aisle
A narrow passage between shelves in a store where people walk to find items. (Note: Implied in directions like 'straight ahead.')
Key Sentences
Important phrases to remember and practice
Excuse me, I'm looking for the oat milk. Do you know where it is?
This is a polite way to start asking for help in a store. Use 'Excuse me' to get attention, and 'I'm looking for' to say what you need. It's useful for any shopping situation.
Yes, it's usually over in the dairy section, near the main chiller.
This gives basic directions using 'usually' for common locations and prepositions like 'over in' and 'near' to describe position. Practice this to respond as a store helper.
The main chiller? Is that by the regular milk or the yogurt?
This asks for clarification when directions are unclear. Use questions with 'or' to choose between options, helping when you're confused about store terms.
It's on the far side, opposite the fresh produce island.
Directions using 'on the far side' and 'opposite' to describe relative positions. 'Island' here means a central display area. Useful for giving or understanding store layouts.
Okay, so if I go past the produce, it'll be on my left or right?
This repeats and clarifies directions with 'if I go past' for sequence and 'on my left or right' for sides. 'It'll be' is a contraction of 'it will be,' common in casual speech.
You'll want to take a left after the fresh produce, and it's the large section straight ahead.
Imperative directions with 'you'll want to' for suggestions, 'take a left' for turning, and 'straight ahead' for going forward. The 'and' connects steps in a sequence.
Got it. So, left past produce, then straight ahead for the big dairy section, top shelf.
This summarizes directions to confirm understanding. Use 'Got it' to show comprehension, and list steps with 'then' for order. Ends with thanks, polite in service talks.
You're welcome! Let me know if you can't find it.
A standard polite response after helping. 'Let me know' offers more help, and 'if you can't find it' uses a conditional for future possibilities. Common in customer service.