Lesson 6
by Paolo Rossetti

Topic  :      E-mail message
Grammar: Discourse Markers / Transitions
Level  : Beginner
Audio-test      Audio
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Vocabulary

[this is an e-mail message written by an EFL student attending an online
English course - it has been corrected and is an excellent example of an
introductory message to a list]

Hello everybody in the Simpsons Fan Club!

This is the first time I send an e-mail message to this list although
I've been reading for a while. I am glad to join you. I would like to
greet everybody and introduce myself briefly.

Even though my English is not perfect, please try to understand what I
mean.

Let me tell you about my first encounter with "The Simpsons". It was not
on TV, but just a T-shirt. In fact, I bought a T-shirt which
had Bart's picture on it. At that time, I didn't know anything about
"The Simpsons". All I knew was just that it was an American cartoon.

So, when I found "The Simpsons" on TV, it was a big surprise. I shouted
"THAT'S IT!!" in my mind. Since then I have watched it as much as
possible.

Most importantly, I feel "The Simpsons" teaches me English and American
culture or something like that. However, I often can't understand the
words in the program even though I use closed-captions and read them;
it's because I don't know enough slang.

Therefore I would really appreciate it if you could help me understand
it better. Please send me you favorite Simpsons' sentence and its
meaning!

Thanks for any help.

An EFL Simpsons' fan

(PS) By the way, I still have the T-shirt 
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EXERCISE 6.1 - Vocabulary

Please match the words on the left with the meanings on the right.

1. a fan                    a. to say 'hello, how are you?'
2. a message            b. a story of pictures; animation
3. to be glad            c. information from one person to another
4. to greet               d. meet, usually for the first time or
                                   unexpectedly
5. to introduce         e. someone who really likes a singer, actor,
                                   sports team, etc.
6. to encounter         f. happy; content; satisfied
7. a cartoon             g. make something known for the first time
8. a surprise             h. relaxed, informal language
9. closed-captions    i. writing on TV, people can read what is being
                                   said
10. slang                  j. feel thankful about something
11. to appreciate      k. an unexpected event; a shock

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EXERCISE 6.2 - Grammar

Ideas are connected in English by some special words that show the
relationships between sentences.

For example, 'I ate too much cake.' and 'I feel sick' can be joined by
"SO" to clearly show the relationship between them:

        "I ate too much cake, so I feel sick."

Now it's clear that the reason I'm sick is because I ate too much cake.

There are many words of similar meanings that show relationships between
ideas. Two popular families are:

SO (cause and effect): so, therefore, consequently, because, etc.

BUT (contrast/opposition): but, however, even though, although, etc.

Please fill in the blanks with one word from the above list.

1. I was not hungry this morning ...... I ate a lot last night.
2. I practiced everyday ....... I failed my driving exam.
3. He has to be a soldier for 12 months ....... he doesn't want to.
4. Toronto airport was closed due to heavy snow; ....... the pilot had
    to land in Ottawa instead.
5. The gold medal was awarded ......... the athlete had tested positive
    for marijuana use.

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EXERCISE 6.3 - Reading Comprehension

Please read the text and choose the correct answers.

1.  What is the purpose of the writer?
        (to receive help from list members, to introduce herself,
         to discuss American cartoons)
2.  Who is a Simpsons fan?
        (the writer, the list members, both writer and readers)
3.  How did the writer first learn about the Simpsons?
        (from the TV, from a friend, from a t-shirt)
4.  What does the writer like about the Simpsons?
        (they teach her English, they are funny, they are surprising)
5.  What will the readers answer?
        (they will explain English slang, they will thank the writer,
         they will send their opinions on the Simpsons)

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