E16: At the post office

 

Unsorted mail (G.C., Pixabay)

OVERVIEW

 

 

 

NEW WORDS

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Nouns.

  • airmail the system of sending mail by aircraft.
  • bulk mail a category of mail for mailing large numbers of identical printed items at less than first-class rates.
  • consignee (plural: consignees) the one to whom something, such as goods or merchandise, is consigned.
  • correspondence communication by exchange of letters.
  • courier delivery service delivery on demand of letters, parcels or other goods by a person or company.
  • customs form (plural: forms) documents used by foreign customs authorities to clear mail for entry into their country and, when appropriate, to assess duty and taxes.
  • delivery (plural: deliveries) the action of delivering letters, packages, or ordered goods.
  • domestic mail mail transmitted within, among, and between. the United States of America. its territories and possessions.
  • envelope (plural: envelopes) a flat paper container, especially for a letter, usually having a gummed flap.
  • express delivery (plural: deliveries) the fastest form of shipping where the customer pays extra for this expedited delivery.
  • first-class delivery (plural: deliveries) a more expensive form of delivery that is faster than standard mail and comes with additional services like return service.
  • flat rate (plural: rates) the price of shipping is not connected to the weight, shape, or size of the shipped item.
  • insured mail a service that protects shippers against lost, stolen, or damaged packages. If an insured package does not reach its destination, or if it is damaged when it’s delivered, then the shipper is reimbursed the declared value of the items in the package.
  • international mail mail sent to countries outside the United States, Puerto Rico, and U.S. possessions.
  • junk mail third-class mail, such as advertisements, mailed indiscriminately in large quantities.
  • letter (plural: letters) a written or printed communication directed to a person or organization.
  • mail materials, such as letters and packages, handled in a postal system.
  • mail box (plural: boxes) a slot, usually covered with a hinged flap, through which letters, etc are delivered to a building; a public container for deposit of outgoing mail.
  • mailing list a register of names and addresses to which advertising matter, etc, is sent by post or electronic mail.
  • mailman (plural: mailmen) a man who carries and delivers mail. Also called postman.
  • package (plural: packages) a wrapped or boxed object; a parcel.
  • parcel (plural: parcels) something wrapped up or packaged.
  • postcard (plural: postcards) a card, often bearing a photograph, picture, etc, on one side, for sending a message by post without an envelope.
  • postmark (plural: postmarks) an official mark printed over a postage stamp, especially one that cancels the stamp and records the date and place of mailing.
  • post office (plural: offices) a local office where mail is received, sorted, and delivered, and where stamps and other postal materials are sold.
  • postage meter (postage machine) a large table-top printing machine that prints postage onto envelopes and/or the labels that you place on your packages.
  • priority mail provides for tracking and delivery in 1-3 business days. More expensive than first-class mail.
  • receipt (plural: receipts) a written acknowledgment that a specified article, sum of money, or shipment of merchandise has been received.
  • recipient (plural: recipients) one that receives or is given something.
  • registered mail a method of mail delivery that is closely monitored by the postal service to assure the mail arrives at its destination safely.
  • return address the address of the sender of a letter or parcel indicating where it should be returned if it cannot be delivered.
  • scales a usually small weighing machine.
  • stamp (plural: stamps) a small piece of gummed paper sold by a government for attachment to an article that is to be mailed; a postage stamp.
  • stationery writing paper; writing materials.
  • tape (plural: tapes)
    a narrow strip of material, as used to hold or fasten something.
  • tracking number (plural: numbers) a unique identification code assigned to a package or shipment that allows the sender, recipient, and carrier to track its progress through delivery.
  • zip code (plural: codes) a series of digits designating a specific locality in the United States, appended to a postal address to expedite the sorting and delivery of mail.

Verbs.

  • to mail to send letters and other material by a postal system.
  • to sealto close with a fastening that must be broken to gain access.
  • to ship to be sent as a delivery.
  • to weigh to find out how heavy (someone or something) is, typically using scales.

Expressions

  • to post a letter to send a letter to someone by putting it in a post box or by taking it to a post office.
  • to write a letter to write a message on paper and send it to someone, usually by post.

VISUAL VOCABULARY

  • Discover the art in stamps from the United States
  • Discover the art in stamps from Canada
  • Discover the art in stamps from the United Kingdom
  • Discover the art in stamps from Ireland
  • Discover the art in stamps from Australia
  • Discover the art in stamps from New Zealand

KEY PHRASES

 

 

GRAMMAR TIPS

 

 

ONLINE RESOURCES

United States

 

Canada

 

United Kingdom

 

Ireland

 

Australia

 

New Zealand