B1 · Intermediate · Recommendations · 168 words · ~2 min read

🧭 Asking Around Vienna

Language focus: Asking for recommendations & directions

The Backpack & The Antique Key

The next morning, Leo and Sam set off into the historic streets of Vienna. Neither of them spoke much German, so they had to ask around for directions to the cathedral café. A friendly flower seller kindly pointed them in the right direction.

“You really should visit the Naschmarkt while you’re here,” she added warmly. “It’s a little off the beaten track for most tourists, but the food is absolutely wonderful.” They thanked her and made a careful note of the recommendation for later.

Vienna was so beautiful that they very nearly lost track of time, wandering past grand palaces, elegant coffee houses and statues at every corner. “Focus,” Leo reminded Sam gently. “We need to find that café before we head off anywhere else.”

At last, tucked down a narrow cobbled lane, they spotted it: a tiny café with a charming hand-painted sign. Leo took a deep breath. With any luck, someone inside would recognise the diary — and lead them straight to the key’s rightful owner.

Key vocabulary (6 words)

historicadjective
Important or famous in history.
cathedralnoun
A very large and important church.
recommendationnoun
A suggestion that something is good and worth doing.
palacenoun
A large, grand house where royalty or important people live.
elegantadjective
Graceful, stylish and attractive.
rightfuladjective
Having a fair and legal right to something.

Phrasal verbs in this episode

  • ask around — To ask around means to ask several different people for information.
  • point out — To point out means to show or indicate something.
  • head off — To head off means to leave and go somewhere.

Comprehension quiz

  1. Why do the friends have to ask around?

    • They don’t speak much German
    • They are lost in London
    • They have no money
    Show answer

    They don’t speak much German

  2. What does the flower seller recommend?

    • The Naschmarkt
    • The airport
    • A nightclub
    Show answer

    The Naschmarkt

  3. “Off the beaten track” means a place that is…

    • near the station
    • away from where most people go
    • very dangerous
    Show answer

    away from where most people go

  4. “Lost track of time” means they…

    • missed the bus
    • forgot how much time had passed
    • lost a watch
    Show answer

    forgot how much time had passed

  5. What are they trying to find?

    • The cathedral café
    • A hotel
    • A bank
    Show answer

    The cathedral café

  6. “Head off” means to…

    • leave and go somewhere
    • nod your head
    • stay still
    Show answer

    leave and go somewhere

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