SENDING A PACKAGE

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.

31491

Sealing the Package Cushioning the Contents

Bringing the Package to the Post Office Writing the Address





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.

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 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. 31501 31503 31502 registered mail express mail surface mail regular airmail.





Unit

a. Do you remember the dialogue, “Airmail to Tokyo”? Use the choices in italics to complete the dialogue between a post-office clerk and someone who is sending a package.

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. Role-play your dialogue with a partner. Take turns to be the customer and the clerk.

c. Mark which of the following sentences a post-office clerk would say and which a customer 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 like to send this registered mail? 4. Will this parcel arrive by the weekend? 5. That will be six dollars, ninety-fiveçCENTS

6. I’d like some stamps and an extra-large envelope, please. 7. Shall I weigh that for you?

d. Write a dialogue between a customer and a post-office clerk. Use the words and phrases from

a. and c. to help you.

Customer: Clerk: Customer: Clerk: Customer: Clerk:

AIRMAIL TO TOKYO

How much does it cost to send this special delivery? This package should be better wrapped.

Would you like to send this registered mail? That will be six dollars, ninety-five cents

I’d like some stamps and an extra-large envelope, please. Will this pare by the weekend?





b. Match the beginning of the instructions in A with the end of the instruction in B. A

1. If you don’t wrap your parcel properly, 2. If you don’t put the correct postal code, 3. If you want your parcel to arrive quickly, 4. If you have a heavy package,

5. If you want to make sure that your package arrives,

B

a. it will have to be weighed at the post office. b. it could be damaged.

c. it must be sent by registered mail. d. it should be sent express.

e. your parcel might be sent to the wrong 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.

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

MODALS

Reporting a Lost Package