Take the first road on the left.

[tzfujimino]

Hello.:-D
I think I will ask you a silly question.

Please look at this map: http://www.enchantedlearning.com/geography/mapreading/city/

If we were standing on 'River St.' (between 4 and 5 on the left side of the map), would "the first road on the left" mean '5th Ave.'?

Thank you.

 

[emsr2d2]

It depends which way you're facing on River St.

 

[tzfujimino]

Thank you, ems.:-D
I can see 'Moon River' on my right.
Which way am I facing?

 

[Matthew Wai]

I think you are facing 'River St.' and "the first road on the left" means '4th Ave.'

Not a teacher.

 

[MikeNewYork]

If Moon River is on your right and you are on River Street, you are facing southeast. If you are between 4th and 5th, the first street on your left would be 4th.

 

[Raymott]

He's not between 4th and 5th Streets. He's on River Street between the y-coordinates 4 and 5.
He's looking east down Oak St, and 5th Ave is the first on his left. However, he doesn't give his x coordinate, which would complicate matters if River street wasn't outside those North-South coordinates (of 4 and 5) for most of the map.

 

[MikeNewYork]

I get your point, but even on River street between coordinates 4 and 5, with Moon River on his right, 4th avenue could be the first street on his left. In that case 5th avenue could also be correct.

 

[tzfujimino]

He's not between 4th and 5th Streets. He's on River Street between the y-coordinates 4 and 5.
He's looking east down Oak St, [...]

You're right. I couldn't explain properly where I was.
I'm sorry to have confused you (Raymott, Mike, ems, Matthew).

 

[MikeNewYork]

It was not your fault. The confusion was a result of the coordinates and the streets having the same numbers.

 

[Barb_D]

If you are all the way on the left side of the map, on River Street near "Dog Bridge" then you would take take your first left if you wanted to turn onto 5th, continue straight to be on Oak Street, or bear right to stay on River Street.

 

[tzfujimino]

[...], or bear right to stay on River Street.

I've just learned something new.:-D
I didn't know 'bear' is used to mean 'turn'.
Thank you, Barb.

 

[Rover_KE]

I didn't know 'bear' is used to mean 'turn'.

It isn't. It means 'to move in a specified direction'. (Collins)

 

[tzfujimino]

Thank you, Rover.:-D
Well, this is the dictionary I consulted: http://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/bear_1
I might have misinterpreted the definition.

 

[MikeNewYork]

I think the definition is incomplete there. We use "bear right" or "bear left" when there is a split in the road, not a complete 90 degree turn.

If you refer back to the map you will see such a split in the road. If you are traveling east on River Road from the left edge of the map, you will have an option of continuing straight onto Oak Street or bearing right to stay on River Road.

 

[tzfujimino]

Thank you, Mike.:-D
Now I understand what it means.

 

[tzfujimino]

I've just checked the meaning of 'fork': http://www.ldoceonline.com/dictionary/fork_1
'To bear right' is equal to 'to take the right fork', I think.
Do I understand it correctly?
Thank you.

 

[MikeNewYork]

Yes.