At the Post Office. Modern means of Communication.

Usage of Present Simple

Vocabulary

Read and memorize the following words:

post-office –поштове відділення
e.g. I got some postcards at the post-office.
stamp-марка
envelope- конверт
e.g. Father stuck a stamp on the envelope. The stamp shows that he paid for
sending the letter.,
postcard -листівка
mail-пошта; поштовий
letter-box /pillar-box-поштова скринька
slot-щілина
e.g. We drop a letter into a slot of a pillar-box.
blank /form -бланк
rate-тариф
e.g. What is the rate for a word in a telegram?
address - адреса
e.g. Don't forget to write the address on the postcard.
counter-прилавок
parcel, package -посилка
telegram-телеграма
label-етикетка
e.gI need some air-mail labels
Ex.1 Fill in the blanks with the necessary words:
1. Stick ... on an envelope, (a letter, a stamp, a postcard)
2. Write ... on an envelope, (an address, a registered letter, a label)
3.Nick is expecting ... from his friend, (an envelope, a pillar-box, a letter)
4. Her parents posted her ... last week and she has just got it. (an address, a parcel,
an envelope)
5. Where must you ... a stamp on an envelope? (write, buy, stick)
6. What is it necessary to do before dropping a letter into ... ? (a pillar-box, an
envelope, a post-office)
7. If you send a telegram it will be delivered ... than a letter, (quicker, slower)
8. Most post-offices are ... on Sundays, (closed, open)
Ex.2 Translate into English:
1. Я надсилаю листи батькам щотижня.
2. Biн отримав телеграмму сьогодні.
3. Ми одержуємо посилки від батьків.
4. Авіапошта швидша за звичайну (пошту).
5. Купи конверта, будь ласка.
6. Не забудь наклеїти марку на конверт.
7. Сходи на пошту, будь ласка.
8. Коли йтимеш до школи, вкинь листа в поштову скриньку, будь ласка.

Ex.3 Read and translate the text

AT THE POST-OFFICE

This is what happened to a Frenchman who lived in England and did not
know English very well.
One day he went into the post-office with a letter. He bought a stamp and
gave it together with his letter to the girl. "Oh, no", she said, "you must stick the
stamp on yourself"
He was very much surprised. He said "Why must I stick the stamp on
myself?" She answered "I said that you must stick the stamp on the letter and must
do it yourself".

Ex.4 Answer the questions on the text:

1. An Englishman lived in France. Is that right?
2. The Frenchman knew English very well. Is that right?
3. He came into the book-shop. Is that right?
4. He went to the post-office with a letter. Is that right?
5. He bought a book. Is that right?
6. He gave the stamp and the letter to the girl. Is that right?
7. The girl took the letter and posted it. Is that right?
8. The Frenchman understood everything the girl said to him. Is that right?
Ex.5

Customer Phrases

 I would like to mail a package to (location).

  I have to pick up a package from (sender's name).
 May I please buy some (stamps, envelopes, boxes)?
 How much does it cost for (amount) stamps?
 I would like to send this package in a flat rate box.
 Where do I write the address and the return address?
 How do I check the post office box for mail?
 Can I mail this (package, letter, postcard) from this post office?
 How much does insurance cost for this package to (location)?
 How long will it take for a package to (location) to be delivered?
 I would like to send this letter by (air, land, sea, priority)

Postal Worker Phrases

 How would you like to ship this (package, letter, postcard)?

 Would you like to buy any (stamps, envelopes, boxes)?
 Where would you like to send this (letter, parcel, postcard)?
 Do you want to buy insurance for this parcel?
 Would you like to know your tracking number for this (parcel, box, letter)?
 Do you want to send this by air or by sea?
 Who is the recipient of this package?
 Can you please fill out the sender's address?
 How many (stamps, envelopes, boxes) would you like?
 Is there anything else I can help you with?

Items/People Additional Terms

 Letter  Air mail

 Postcard  Recipient
 Mail  Buy
 Post office box (P.O. box)  Sea mail
 Stamp  Sign for
 Commemorative stamp  Postage
 Junk mail  Freight
 Personal mail  Delivery
 Postal money order  Address
 Mailman  Tracking
 Courier  Return address
 Parcel  Zip code
 Bulk mail  Insurance
 Envelope  Pick up
 Postal clerk  Send
 Postbox  Priority
 Tape  Flat rate
 Mailbox  Return Address

Listening

At the Post Office

Insert the correct word or phrase

I wonder 1___________________ the postal service. When

I was young, I used the post office a lot. I went to the post office
every 2___________________ and send letters. I
3___________________ morning when the
postman came. There was 4___________________ me – a real
one. At Christmas and around my birthday I would get lots of
cards. But today the post office is very
different. I can’t remember 5___________________.
I think the Internet is killing the post office. Most letters
and mail sent today is via e-mail. I
6___________________ the post office to buy stamps. I
get them from the local store. I’m
7___________________ post office can survive,
especially 8_____________________ courier companies
like Federal Express and DHL.