Intermediate 1 Unit 7

Unit 7
Sending A Package

Family
a. Do you remember Deidre from the computer lesson? Later, she called her mother-in-law
back and left the following voice mail message. Read the message and complete it with
the phrases below.

I’ll leave this message • you had it specially wrapped • you haven’t heard from me
parcel of clothes you sent

Thanks for your call, Irene. I’m sorry (1) _______________ , but you know how the baby

keeps me busy. I guess you’re busy right now so (2) _______________________The (3)

________________ arrived safely and as (4) _________________ , the baby had great
fun opening it by himself. The clothes are beautiful and I’m going to try them on him right

now. I’ll catch you later. Bye.

b. When Deidre tried the clothes on her baby, she saw that they were too small for him.
What should she do? Discuss your answer with a partner.

Deidre should ______________________________________________________ .

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Intermediate 1 Unit 7

c. Deidre received some more voice mail messages on her answering machine. When she
phoned the people back, she had to leave voice mail messages herself. Match Deidre’s
messages with the replies that she gave.

Deidre’s Messages

a. This is a message for Mrs. Deidre Thomas from the Little Bookworm Children’s
Bookshop. The baby books you ordered have arrived. Would you like us to
bill you and send them on – or do you prefer to come in to the shop and pick
them up yourself?

b. Hi Deidre. This is Mrs. Rodriguez, your neighbor from upstairs. A parcel of

baby clothes arrived for you when you were out this morning. The delivery man
asked me to sign for the package. You can come up and collect it any time
today, but not tomorrow because I’m going out for the day.

c. Hello, Deidre? It’s your mom speaking. I’ve sent you a package containing
some toys for the baby and some clothes for you. Let me know when you
get it and if you like the presents. You can always send them back to the shop
and change them if you don’t like anything. Talk to you soon.

Deidre’s Replies
1. Hi, it’s Deidre from downstairs. Thanks so much for taking my parcel. I’ll come by later today
to take it from you – if that’s convenient.

2. This is Mrs. Thomas speaking. I’m glad the books I ordered have finally arrived. I’ll pop into
the shop sometime this week to get them, so don’t bother sending them on to me.

3. Mom, I haven’t received anything yet. When did you send the parcel? I hope it hasn’t got
lost in the mail. We’re in this evening, so try to give me a call so we can talk. Bye for now.

d. With a partner, practice a short phone conversation between Deidre and one of the people
from activity c.

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 Intermediate 1 Unit 7

Sending a Package
a. Did you understand the instructions for sending a package in the computer lesson? Here
are some post office instructions for preparing packages before you send them. Read the
instructions and then write the headings from the next page above the correct paragraphs.

SIMPLE STEPS FOR PREPARING A PACKAGE

(1) _____________________________________________
If the object you are sending could be easily damaged, it should be
packed in a box. Choose a box with enough room for cushioning material
around the contents. If you are reusing an old box, make sure that you
cover all the previous labels and addresses with heavy black pen or sticky
labels. It is also a good idea to include a label inside the box with the
address where your parcel is to be sent.

(2) _____________________________________________
Soft material should be placed all around the object to be sent. You can
use old newspaper, packing paper or bubble wrap. Close and shake the
box to see if you have enough cushioning. If you hear the object moving,
you need to add some more cushioning.

(3) _____________________________________________
The box should be sealed with 2-inch-wide (5 cm) adhesive tape. You
should use special packing tape, which is stronger than regular tape. Don’t
use string because it can get caught in the machines that the post office
uses for processing the mail.

(4) _____________________________________________
Write clearly on the front of the package the complete name and address
of the person to whom you are sending the package. On the back you
should write your own name and address, in case the package gets lost.
You should always try to include the correct postal code.

(5) _____________________________________________
If you know how much your package weighs and you have the correct
number of stamps, it can be dropped into a post office collection box. If
your package contains something valuable, it should be sent registered
mail so that you have a record if your parcel doesn’t arrive. To send a
parcel registered mail, you must take it to the post office and fill out a
special form.

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Intermediate 1 Unit 7

Headings
a. Sealing the Package
b. Cushioning the Contents
c. Writing the Address
d. Using a Box
e. Bringing the Package to the Post Office

b. Match the words and phrases below with words and phrases in italics from the text in
activity a.

1. parcel ________________________________________________________
2. sticky ________________________________________________________
3. doesn’t arrive ____________________________________________________
4. advisable ________________________________________________________
5. complete ________________________________________________________
6. delivered ________________________________________________________
7. postage ________________________________________________________
8. wrapping paper ____________________________________________________

c. Match the different kinds of postal services to their definitions.

express mail • registered mail • regular airmail • surface mail

1. This is the slowest kind of delivery, but it is also the cheapest. ____________________

2. This is the most popular way to send mail. ____________________

3. If you want to send a package or a letter quickly, you should use this service.

____________________
4. If you are sending something important and want to be sure it won’t get lost, it is a good

idea to use this service. ____________________

d. Close your book and practice giving your partner instructions on preparing and sending a
package.

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 Intermediate 1 Unit 7

Airmail to Tokyo
a. Do you remember the dialogue, “Airmail to Tokyo”? Use the choices in italics to complete

Customer: I’d like to send this package airmail / surface mail / special delivery to Madrid /
Bangalore / Sydney.
Clerk: Sure. Let’s see. It weighs 15 pounds / 10 pounds / 5 pounds. That’s $30 / $15 /
$4.50.
Customer: Sorry. How much did you say?
Clerk: $30 / $15 / $4.50, Ma’am / Sir .
Customer: How long will it take to get there?
Clerk: It’ll be there in about twenty / ten / two days.

b. Practice your dialogue with a partner. Take turns to be the customer and the clerk.

c. Mark which
would say.
Customer Clerk

1. How much does it cost to send this special delivery?

2. This package should be better wrapped.
3. Would you lik e to send this registered mail?
4. Will this parc el arrive by the weekend?
5. That will be six dollars, ninety-five c ents.
6. I’d lik e some stamps and an extra-large envelope, please.
7. Shall I weigh that f or you?

from activities a. and c. to help you.

Customer: ________________________________________________________
Clerk: ________________________________________________________
Customer: ________________________________________________________
Clerk: ________________________________________________________
Customer: ________________________________________________________
Clerk: ________________________________________________________

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Intermediate 1 Unit 7

Passive Voice: Modals

a. Read the following instructions from the post office about reporting a lost package. Underline
the modals in the passive voice.

Reporting a Lost Package

1. If a package is lost or damaged you must report it immediately.
2. The post office should be informed in writing of the non-delivery of the package.
3. You will be notified as soon as the package is found.
4. If your package has been lost or damaged, you can apply for compensation.
5. Insurance claim forms can be obtained from the post office.
6. You must attach a letter or statement from the person who was supposed to
receive the letter.
7. Evidence, such as a sales receipt, should also be provided, in order to prove the
value of your parcel.
8. If your claim is properly completed, it will be paid within 30 days.

b. Match the end of the instructions in B to their beginning in A.

A B
1. If you don’t wrap your parcel properly, ___ a. ...it will have to be weighed at the post office.
2. If you don’t put the correct postal code,___ b. ...it could be damaged.
3. If you want your parcel to arrive quickly,___ c. ...it must be sent by registered mail.
4. If you have a heavy package, ___ d. ...it should be sent express.
5. If you want to make sure that your package
e. ...your parcel might be sent to the wrong
arrives, ___
address.

c. Write four more instructions for sending a package. Use the information you have learned
from this unit. Include passive modals in your instructions.
1. ________________________________________________________________
2. ________________________________________________________________
3. ________________________________________________________________
4. ________________________________________________________________

d. Exchange instructions with a partner.

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