Our District
Primary 4 · English
Our District
Lesson 3 of 4
45 min
Mutesi has a bad cough. Where should her mother take her: to the bank, to the market or to the health centre? Easy: the health centre!
Every district has places that are made for everyone to use. We call them facilities. Today you will read about a trip to town and learn to talk about the facilities in your district.
On Saturday, I went to Muhanga town with my grandfather.
First, we went to the bank, because Grandpa wanted to save some money. Then we walked to the health centre, because he needed medicine for his cough. The nurse was very kind.
Opposite the health centre, there is a police station. We saw a police officer helping an old woman to cross the road.
After that, we went to the market. It was very busy and noisy. We bought beans, avocados and tomatoes. Near the market, there is a bus park, where buses leave for Kigali and Huye.
On the way home, we passed the sector office, where people go to get their documents, and the stadium, where Grandpa likes to watch football.
Then we stopped at a public water tap to drink. Someone had left the tap running, and water was flowing onto the road. Grandpa closed the tap and said, “These places belong to all of us. We must take care of them.”
— Uwase
Why did Grandpa go to the health centre?
Because he needed medicine for his cough.
What is opposite the health centre?
The police station.
Where do the buses for Kigali and Huye leave from?
From the bus park, near the market.
What did Grandpa do at the water tap? Was that a good thing to do? Why?
He closed the tap. Yes, because running water is wasted and the tap belongs to everyone.
| Facility | What it is for |
|---|---|
| health centre / hospital | treating sick and injured people |
| market | buying and selling food and other goods |
| bank | keeping money safe |
| police station | keeping people safe and reporting crimes |
| bus park | catching a bus to another town |
| sector office | getting documents and help from local leaders |
| library | reading and borrowing books |
| stadium | playing and watching sports |
| water tap | getting clean water |
Visitor: Excuse me. Where can I buy vegetables?
Uwase: You can buy them at the market.
Visitor: Is there a bank near here?
Uwase: Yes, there is. It is next to the bus park.
Visitor: Thank you very much!
Uwase: You're welcome.
You can also say what a place is for: A hospital is for treating sick people.
Draw a simple map of the town or trading centre nearest to your home. Show at least four facilities.
Write five sentences about your map: You can … at the … and The … is next to / opposite the … Then write two rules for caring for facilities, using should and shouldn't.
Speak: Role-play with a friend. One of you is a visitor who asks, “Where can I …?” The other gives directions using your map.
Tip
Ask with CAN, answer with CAN: “Where can I buy vegetables?” “You can buy them at the market.”
A facility belongs to everyone, so everyone should take care of it.
Write your answers in your exercise book, then check.
Where can you catch a bus to another town?
Answer: At the bus park.
Complete: You can borrow books at the ___.
Answer: library
What is a bank for?
Answer: It is for keeping money safe.
Complete with should or shouldn't: We ___ write on the walls of the health centre.
Answer: shouldn't
Write one sentence about a facility near your home.
Answer: Example: There is a health centre near my home. It is next to the church.
What you learned today
Sources and credits
Quick check
Match each facility to what it is for.
Tap one on the left, then its partner on the right.
