Lesson 6: Giving directions and instructions – Understanding how-to passages

🟦 Introduction

Hello navigator! 👋🧭
Today, we are learning how to master giving directions and instructions — an important skill not just for BECE, but also for real life! 🛤️

In comprehension passages, you may be asked to understand how-to guides — texts that explain how to move from one place to another or how to complete a task.
Today, you’ll practise how to:

• Follow and give directions clearly 🗺️

• Understand and complete instructions correctly 🛠️

• Answer BECE questions about movement, positioning, and actions 🎯

Let’s get moving! 🚶‍♂️🚶‍♀️

🟩 Key concepts and explanations

⭐ What are directions and instructions?

Both involve:

• Steps

• Clear actions

• A sequence or order

🧭 Directions = Moving through places
🛠️ Instructions = Performing tasks

⭐ Features of direction and instruction passages

⭐ Strategy for understanding directions and instructions

Here’s your smart plan:

1. 🧠 Read carefully for key action words.

2. 🧭 Visualize the movement or steps.

3. 🔢 Follow the sequence exactly — don’t skip or rearrange!

4. ✍️ Mark important landmarks if a map or location is involved.

5. 🔍 Answer questions based only on what is written.

🟨 Step-by-step walkthroughs

🔎 Example 1: Following directions

Passage:

To reach the library from the school gate, walk straight ahead until you reach the post office. Turn right at the post office. Continue walking until you see the blue building. The library is next to it.

✅ Step 1: Where do you start?

• School gate.

✅ Step 2: First movement?

• Walk straight to the post office.

✅ Step 3: Action at the post office?

• Turn right.

✅ Step 4: What next?

• Walk to the blue building; library is beside it.

✅ Sample question:
Q: What landmark do you turn at?
A: The post office.

🔎 Example 2: Following instructions

Passage:

To assemble the toy car, first fix the wheels onto the base. Next, attach the small motor inside. Then connect the motor to the battery. Finally, place the cover on top and tighten the screws.

✅ Steps involved:

1. Fix wheels.

2. Attach motor.

3. Connect motor to battery.

4. Place cover and tighten screws.

✅ Signal words: first, next, then, finally.

✅ Key action words: fix, attach, connect, tighten.

🟨 Practice exercises

📝 Part 1: Arrange the steps

Passage:

To make toast, first plug in the toaster. Then place slices of bread inside. After that, press the lever down. Finally, wait until the toast pops up.

Question: Arrange the steps in order:
a) Press the lever down
b) Place bread inside
c) Plug in the toaster
d) Wait for the toast to pop

📝 Part 2: Fill in missing actions

Read the passage and supply the missing action words (choose from: cross, turn, walk):

Passage:

From the bus stop, ________ across the street. ________ right at the traffic light. Then ________ straight until you reach the bank.

📝 Part 3: True or false

Passage:

When planting a tree, dig a deep hole first. Place the seedling inside the hole. Cover the roots with soil and press gently. Water the seedling generously.

State whether each statement is True (T) or False (F):

• a) Water the seedling before placing it in the hole. _____

• b) You must dig a hole before planting. _____

• c) After planting, you press the soil gently. _____

✅ Answers and explanations

🔁 Recap

Today you learned how to:

• 🧭 Understand directions to move from place to place.

• 🛠️ Follow instructions to perform tasks correctly.

• 🔢 Notice signal words and action steps in sequence.

• 🎯 Tackle BECE questions confidently by visualizing and focusing on actions.

💬 Giving and understanding clear instructions is a superpower for exams — and everyday life!

🪞 Reflection prompt

Reflect and write:
Imagine a visitor is coming to your school for the first time.
Write 4–5 clear sentences giving them directions from the main road to your classroom.
Use words like walk straight, turn left, pass by, next to, and opposite. 📔✨