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This episode’s vocabulary
- Boundary (noun) — a line which marks the limits of an area; a dividing line.
- Ordnance survey maps (noun) — a map which shows all the roads, paths, hills etc of an area in detail (British English)
- Site (noun) — a place where something is, was, or will be built, or where something happened, is happening, or will happen.
- Point of reference (adj.) — something that is used to judge or understand something else.
- Unaided (adj.) — without any help from anyone else; independently.
- Portable (adj.) — light and small enough to be easily carried or moved.
- To orientate (verb) — to discover your position in relation to what is around you.
- Find one’s way around (phrase) — to discover a way to move around something or some place without getting lost.
- To act up (phrasal verb) — if a machine or part of the body acts up, it does not perform as well as it should.
We have also added these words to a “Quizlet” set for you to study and revise in your free time: bit.ly/quizlets04e02
Questions and Answers
Maria: What kind of maps are available in the world?
Rory: I probably used to know more kinds than I do know. We used to study them all the time in geography class. But the ones that I remember the most are, like, geographical maps which show where different geographical features are. Political maps show the boundaries of different political bodies, like, it can be countries, and it usually is, but there are also states and things like this. And physical maps, I think are similar to geographical maps. They show how high mountains are, for example. And then you have ordnance survey maps which are used to show. I think they are. I think they used to show where different key sites are within the town, so, like, where are the churches, for example. And then, of course, you have like the world map, which everybody sees every day, probably.
Maria: Oh, wow. You do know a lot about maps.
Rory: Well, no… I think I only said five kinds there. There are definitely more than five kinds of maps, for sure.
Maria: Do you often use maps?
Rory: Oh, yes. On my phone, when I need to find my way somewhere. It’s less about the map than the directions provided, though. But the map helps give a physical… What’s the word… Point of reference! That’s it!
Maria: Have you ever used the map to find a location?
Rory: Um, well, all the time! I’ve just moved. So since I’m new to where I live, it’s not very easy to find my way around unaided just yet. So I need to use maps all the time.
Maria: Do you prefer paper maps or electronic maps?
Rory: Right now I prefer electronic ones because they’re… Well, I suppose they’re portable and they’re reliable and they’re usually more exact. At least I find it that way.
Maria: So you don’t carry paper maps on you?
Rory: Um, no. I was given one before I moved to Moscow, but I don’t think I ever really used it. And I feel bad because it’s a good map to have, but I just never had the chance.
Maria: Why do some people prefer electronic maps?
Rory: I think it’s depends… Probably for the reasons that I just mentioned. And I think maybe people think they look a bit more modern as well.
Maria: Did you ever use a map when you were a child?
Rory: Um, maybe once or twice for orienteering. That’s when you use a map to find your way around the course. But I wasn’t very good at it, if I remember correctly, I’m much better at navigating by sight and memory. I don’t really do place names and maps very well.
Maria: Did your school ever teach you how to use maps when you were younger?
Rory: Well, we learned about it in geography, but nothing very thorough. I think the closest I came to learning about how to using a map was maybe from watching my parents navigate or in the Boy Scouts when we were younger, we would do orienteering.
Maria: Do you ever ask anyone for directions?
Rory: Um, usually I know where I’m going. And like I say, I’ll have my phone with me, but if my phone is acting up, then I’ll definitely be asking people for help because otherwise, well, especially in Russia, I would be completely lost.
Maria: Would you ever use a map on a holiday?
Rory: I think I do almost every time I go on holiday, actually! And I probably will continue to do so for as long as I don’t really have a head for remembering the ways around new places, so…
Maria: Would you survive without a map?
Rory: If it’s a place I’ve been before — maybe. But it would be very helpful to have, just in case.
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