ONLINE ENGLISH - English as an International Language of Understanding
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Lesson 13
by Paolo Rossetti

Level  : Beginner
Topic  : E-mail
Grammar: Polite 'would'
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Vocabulary

TO  : SPICE-L@mailing.list 
FROM: Jamilla@my.student
SUBJ: Re: Spice Fan

Hello Everybody,

I would like to introduce myself and say that this list is very helpful
for me - thank you everybody!

My name is Jamilla and I live in the Ivory Coast (It's a beautiful
country on the West coast of Africa). I always read your e-mail postings
because I too love the Spice Girls very much. Girl Power!

I am 17 years old and I hope to be a professional singer one day. I
practice with my friends every day after school. Our band is called The
Blue Birds and maybe we will become famous!

I would be happy if you would write me sometimes.. :)++

Bye,

Jamilla

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EXERCISE 13.1 - Vocabulary

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

 1. to introduce        a. North, South, East, ....
 2. a list              b. an e-mail message to a group, mailing list or bulletin board
 3. to be helpful       c. a group of musicians
 4. West                d. a group of people connected by e-mail; a mailing list
 5. a posting           e. as well; also
 6. too                 f. to meet somebody for the first time and say your names.
 7. to be professional  g. to give some help
 8. a singer            h. to try again and again so you will improve
 9. to practice         i. everybody knows you
10. a band              j. do a job for a living
11. to be famous        k. a person who sings songs
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EXERCISE 13.2 - Grammar

Politeness - please notice the first and last sentences:

'I would like to introduce myself'
'I would be very happy if you would write me.'

Using 'would' is a very common way of showing politeness in English. The
e-mail message shows us two ways:

1. Would like to.. 
     I would like to ask a question.... (I want to ask a question)
     I would like to speak to the Manager, please. (I want to speak
         to the Manager, please.)
     I would like to meet you as soon as possible. (I want to meet..)

2. I would .... if .....
        I would appreciate it if you could help me. (Please help me)
        I would be happy if you could join us for dinner 
                (Please join us for dinner)
        We would prefer it if you could send it by e-mail.
                (Please send it by e-mail)

Please fill in the blanks.

1. ............ to introduce my new partner to you. Miss 
        Edwards, I'd like you to meet Michael Jordan.

2. ............. you could send me your proposal by Friday.

3. We ............ have a party this Saturday. Could you come?

4. ............ put the painting over my desk. What do you think?

5. I would really ........... drive me to the airport in your car.

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EXERCISE 13.3 - Reading Comprehension

Please read the text and choose the correct answers.

1.  What is the purpose of this text?
        (to support the Spice Girls, to meet music fans,
         to make new friends)

2.  Who is a Spice Girls fan?
        (the writer, the readers, all of them)

3.  Where is the Ivory Coast?
        (Central Africa, Western Africa, North-Western Africa)

4.  What is the writer's job?
        (singer, student, journalist)
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Answers               Go to  ----->  Online English Content   
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