Welcome to Following Instructions and Directions

Starting a new secondary school is like going on an adventure! You will need to find your way to the library, follow rules in the science lab, and even learn how to use a locker. All of these require one very important skill: Listening to instructions and directions.

In the Pre-S1 HKAT, the Listening section will test how well you can follow a path on a map or complete a task by listening to a speaker. Don't worry if it seems tricky at first—once you know the "signpost" words, you will never feel lost!

1. Understanding Directions (Finding Your Way)

Directions tell us how to get from Point A to Point B. In the exam, you might see a simple map and have to choose the correct building or draw a line for the path the speaker describes.

Key Action Verbs

Listen for these "movement" words:

Go straight ahead: Keep walking in the same direction.
Turn left / Turn right: Change your direction.
Cross the road: Go to the other side of the street.
Walk past: Go by a building but do not go inside.

Prepositions of Place (Where things are)

These words help you identify exactly where a place is located:

  • Opposite: Facing something (across the street or hall).
  • Next to / Beside: Right beside something.
  • Between: In the middle of two things.
  • On the corner: Where two streets meet.
  • At the end of: The very last point of a corridor or road.

Quick Tip: If you find "Left" and "Right" confusing, hold up your hands with your palms facing away from you. Your left hand makes an "L" shape with your thumb and index finger. L is for Left!

Key Takeaway: Directions usually follow a pattern: [Action Verb] + [Street Name/Landmark] + [Preposition]. Example: "Go straight along Apple Street and turn left at the MTR station."

2. Following Instructions (Doing Tasks)

Instructions are steps you must follow to finish a job, like making a sandwich or joining a school club. These often use Imperatives (bossy verbs) and Sequence Connectives.

Sequence Connectives (The Order of Steps)

Listen for these words to know which step comes first and which comes last:

1. First / To start with: The beginning.
2. Then / Next / After that: The middle steps.
3. Finally / Lastly: The very last step.

Imperatives (Giving Commands)

In instructions, the speaker usually starts with a verb. This is called the Imperative.

Example: "Open your booklet. Write your name. Do not use a pencil."

Did you know? In the HKAT, instructions might be given in a school announcement or a telephone conversation. You might need to fill in a form based on these instructions. (To learn more about filling in forms, see the chapter on "Note, form and table completion").

Key Takeaway: Always look for the "number" or "order" of the steps. If a speaker says "Before you do X, do Y," it means Y happens first!

3. Listening for Details (Names and Numbers)

When following directions, speakers often mention specific details. You must listen carefully for:

  • Names of Places: Such as "Victory Park" or "St. Paul’s Hospital".
  • Numbers: Bus numbers (e.g., Bus 72X), platform numbers, or floor levels (e.g., the \(4^{th}\) floor).
  • Prices: If the instructions involve buying a ticket (e.g., \(HK\$20\)).

Common Mistake to Avoid: Don't just write the first number you hear! Sometimes the speaker changes their mind.
Example: "Take Bus 12... oh wait, that's on Sundays. Today is Monday, so take Bus 14."
The correct answer is Bus 14.

4. Step-by-Step Strategy for the Exam

When you encounter a "Directions" or "Instructions" question, follow these steps:

Step 1: Predict! Look at the map or the list of pictures before the recording starts. Think of the words you might hear (e.g., "bridge," "stairs," "first").

Step 2: Use your finger or pencil. If there is a map, trace the path with your pencil as the speaker talks. This helps you stay on track.

Step 3: Listen for "Signposts." Words like "But," "Wait," "However," or "Instead" mean a change is coming. Listen to the very end of the sentence.

Step 4: Note the sequence. If you have to number pictures \((1, 2, 3...)\), listen for those sequence words like "Finally" to identify the last picture.

5. Quick Vocabulary Review

Check if you know these common words used in instructions and directions:

  • Entrance / Exit: The way in and the way out.
  • Pedestrian crossing: The place where people walk across the road (Zebra crossing).
  • Traffic lights: Red, yellow, and green lights.
  • Sign up / Register: To join an activity.
  • Form / Leaflet: Paper you read or write on.

Key Review Box:
- Directions = How to move (Left, Right, Straight).
- Instructions = How to do something (First, Then, Finally).
- Listen for corrections: Speakers often fix their mistakes mid-sentence!
- Prepositions are keys: They tell you the exact location (Opposite, Between).

Don't worry if this seems tricky at first! The more you practice listening to English announcements and looking at maps, the easier it will become. You've got this!