Unit 1: You’ve Got Mail!

Quick Check

B. Comprehension. Answer true or false.

1. T Mr. Maynard answered the email as soon as he returned.
2. F Mr. Maynard’s company is not interested in doing business with Mr. Silva.
3. T Although your friend is far away, they haven’t forgotten your graduation day.
4. F David will answer all emails even though he’s out of the office.
5. F Melanie is hoping to stay with Olivia even though it’ll be inconvenient.
6. T Even though Melanie was wearing a raincoat, she got wet in Paris.

3. Grammar

A. Complete the sentences with although or in spite of.

1. In spit of her busy schedule, Maya always remembers her friends’ events.
2. Although Steve had all the right qualifications, he wasn’t chosen for the job.
3. Our team lost the game although we played much better than the other team.
4. We had a really good time at the beach in spit of the cloudy weather.
5. Although she has a Russian last name, she was actually born in Canada.

B. Use the following words to complete the paragraph: although, as soon as, because, but, during, in spite of.

The Telegraph System

• In 1830, an American, Joseph Henry (1797-1878), demonstrated the potential of William Sturgeon’s invention, the electromagnet, for long distance communication.
• (1) But it was Samuel Morse who was able to invent a telegraph system that was practical and commercially feasible.
• (2) During 1935 Morse was a professor of arts and design at New York University, when he proved that signals could be transmitted by wire.
• The system was received rather indifferently in 1838, (3) in spit of an impressive public demonstration.
• (4) Although Morse and his associates were eager to set up an experimental line, funding was not approved until a few years later.
• So, (5) as soon as Congress approved a funding of $30, 000, the construction of a line started between Washington and Baltimore.
• Samuel Morse and his associates managed to raise private funds and extended their line to Philadelphia and New York.
• Telegraph companies started functioning in different parts of the United States.
• (6) Because of this, Western Union soon joined, dispatching telegraphs by train.
• Eventually, telegraph systems were set up all over the world. It was the beginning of a new era in communication.

C. Match the two parts of the sentences about an outing.

1. b There was so much traffic on the road
2. e the picnic spot was so crowded
3. a the water was so cold
4. f There were so many mosquitoes
5. d the beach was so noisy
6. c We were all so tired in the evening

D. Complete the sentences about yourself. Then compare with a partner.

1. I’m interested in playing football.
2. I’m excited about the next football match.
3. I’m thinking of studying abroad.
4. I’m looking forward to see my family.
5. I’m not used to getting up early.
6. I’m tired of studying for exams.
7. I apologized to my friend for being late.
8. I’m not capable of working hard every day.
9. I’m used to going out with my friends.
10. I decided against changing our room.

5. Listening

Listen to the messages or conversations. Complete the sentences.

1. a. Mr. Kramer’s assistant is apologizing for changing the appointment time.

b. Mr. Kramer wants to the meeting time.

2. a. Nawal is thinking of visiting New York.

b. Sabah is looking forward to see Brenda.

3. a. Omar is apologizing for not coming to Ron's house.

b. At the end, Omar is thinking of bringing his cousin.

4. a. Raymond is making excuses for not handing in his history project.

b. He wants to hand the project 2 days later.

8. Conversation

About the Conversation

In pairs, ask and answer the questions. Then switch roles.

1. What was Ahmed looking forward to?

Ahmed was looking forward to go to Abdullah's graduation event.

2. Why can’t he come to the graduation?

Because he has a family dinner for his uncle's weeding day.

3. What does Abdullah want Ahmed to do?

He wants him to sneak out as soon as the dinner's over.

9. Reading

After Reading

Complete the following sentences about the reading.

1. People have shown a need to communicate with one another since the Stone Age.
2. When Native Americans saw two columns of smoke, they know that the war party was successfully returned.
3. Although drums are used in Central Africa to communicate messages, only a few non-natives can understand it.
4. When Tomlinson sent his first message, he wasn’t thinking of starting a revolution in communication.
5. Although email only began in the 1970s, by the end of the 20th century, there were 263 million email boxes.
6. Nowadays, millions of people are used to be constant touch with people who are long distances away.

Discussion

1. Think about how you communicate with different people.
2. Work in groups. Make notes in the chart below.
3. Use your notes to talk about communication in class.
4. Which are the most common and most effective ways? Why?

10. Writing

A. 1. Work in pairs. Compare the emails from Mr. Maynard and Melanie on pages 6 and 7. Make notes in the chart below.

B. 1. Read the email from Adel to his friend in the USA and answer the questions.

Where did Adel spend the summer?

He spent the summer in the USA.

What time of year is it?

It is autumn.

How does Adel feel about starting school again?

He doesn't feel happy.

Why is he excited about the weekend?

Because his father promised to let him drive the jeep in the desert.

2. What does P.S. stand for? Why do we use it?

Ps stands for postscript/ We use it to indicate something added after the body of the letter was completed and signed.

3. Which email in your book is this email similar to? How do you know?

It is similar to the email on p 7 from Melanie to Olivia because they have similar starting and ending of the message.

11. Form, Meaning and Function

A. Complete the paragraph with the correct form of the verbs in parentheses. Use used to, would and didn’t use to.

• My grandparents often tell me that life before the Internet was very different to how it is nowadays. When my grandfather was young, he didn't used to have (1. have) a computer, laptop, tablet or even a cell phone!
• He told me that in those days, people used to speak (2. speak) to people on a phone that was fixed to the wall of the house.
• People didn't used to have (3. use) their phones to take digital images.
• They used to take (4. take) photos with a camera that needed a special roll of film. They used to print (5. print) the photos on a special kind of paper and put them in a photo album.
• Moreover, people (6. find) information in books, and they used to use (7. use) actual paper maps to get to places!
• They also used to (would) read (8. read) paper newspapers which a paper boy used to (would) deliver (9. deliver) to their house.
• My grandfather said it was just like getting a printed Internet on their doorstep every morning!
• These days it is much quicker to find information and stay in touch, but life before the Internet sure sounds amazing!