Invitations have to be written carefully to make sure that all the necessary details are included. Include directions or transportation suggestions if needed.

The person sending the invitation would like to know how many people are going to attend the party. Sometimes there will be a phone number next to the R.S.V.P. (the abbreviation standing for a French phrase that means "please respond") so that all you have to do is call. Usually, however, you should send a note of acceptance or regret. Always answer an invitation as soon as possible.

(After: "Building English Skills. Green Level. Teacher's Edition".- Evanston, Illinois, 1982, pp.146-148)

TEXT THREE: SENDING A CARD

Greeting cards are big thriving business in Britain. Millions of cards are sent every year, and you can buy cards for nearly every special occasion. There are cards for Christmas, New Year, Easter, birthdays, engagements, funerals, St. Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, Father's Day, retirement, illness, passing examinations and driving tests, promotions, and the picture postcards sent by holidaymakers.

Here are some examples of greeting cards:

Best Wishes on Your Wedding.

It was very nice to read about your wedding. I expect your parents are

sorry to lose a daughter but happy to gain a son! My best wishes to you

and your new husband. May all your dreams come true.

Sarah Roberts.

Congratulations on Your Silver Wedding.

Twenty five years together! I was really surprised to hear it. You don't

look old enough to have a silver wedding!

Very best wishes, Gladys.

(From: "Streamline English. Destinations" by Bernard Hartley & Peter Viney.- Oxford, 1988, UnitS)

TEXT FOUR: WRITING BUSINESS LETTERS

When you want to request information, or order a product, or even complain about the quality of a product, you will need to write a business letter. A business letter is written for a specific purpose and requires a different style of writing from that of a friendly letter. A business letter should be brief, clear, and to the point. It should follow the required form If possible, type your business letter. If you do not type well, write your letter with blue or black ink. Leave equal margins on both sides, and at the top and bottom of the paper, and use only one side of the paper.

There are three basic types of business letters, each with one specific purpose: the letter of request, the order letter, and the letter of complaint or adjustment. Each of these business letters follows the same basic business letter form and includes the same parts of a letter. The only differences appear in the information you include in the body of the letter.

The form for a business letter is similar in many ways to the form for a friendly letter.

There are two types of business letter forms: block form and modified block form.

The block form for a business letter is to be used only when the letter is typewritten. Notice that all parts of the letter begin at the left margin. There is a double space between paragraphs and the paragraphs are not indented.

The modified block form is always used when the letter is handwritten. In this form, the heading remains in the upper right-hand corner, as in a friendly letter. Notice that in this form the paragraphs are indented, and the closing and signature line up with the heading.

The parts of a business letter are similar to the parts of a friendly letter except that they are written more formally. Notice that the inside address is always written in a business letter. It begins at the left margin (before the salutation). The inside address consists of the name and address of the firm to which you are writing. This address follows the same capitalization and punctuation rules as the heading.

(After: "Building English Skills. Green Level. Teacher's Edition".- Evanston, Illinois, 1982, pp. 150-154)

Answer the following questions:

1. What do we mean by "a letter"?

2. How many basic types of letters do you know?

3. What's a friendly letter?

4. What are the parts of a friendly letter?

5. Where is the heading written?

6./What's the salutation in a friendly letter?

7. Must we indent each paragraph in the body of a friendly letter?

8. Is the closing a simple way of saying "good-bye" to our friend?

9. Where is the signature written in a friendly letter?

10. What's the difference between social notes and a friendly letter?

11. When do we buy greeting cards?

12. Does a business letter require a different style of writing from a friendly letter?

13. What three basic types of business letters do you know?

10. What's the difference between the block form and the modified block form of business letters?

SHOPS AND SHOPPING

When we want to buy some goods, we go to the shop where it is sold.

Before going shopping we make a list of items that we require. We can go to a big department store which sells a variety of goods and has a large selection, a supermarket, or to one of the numerous small retail shops.

Ham, bacon, sugar, tea, coffee, salt, pepper and so on are sold at the grocer's. Bread is sold at the baker's, meat at the butcher's, vegetables at the greengrocer's, and fruit at the fruiterer's. We go to the confectioner's for cakes and sweets.

We buy clothes at the men's and boys' or ladies' and girls' outfitter's. When we want to buy boots and shoes we go to the boot and shoe shop. We go to the tobacconist's for tobacco and cigarettes. To buy jewellery and silver and gold watches we go to the jeweller's. We buy books at the bookseller's. People like to buy brand-new goods.

Supermarkets are very popular with shoppers because they sell not only food, but also ready-made clothes, hosiery (socks, stockings, tights), toys and other goods.

Wholesalers sell to the shops and stores, and the retailers sell to the customers who purchase or buy. Second-hand shops sell second-hand goods.

Behind the counter, ready to serve you is the shopkeeper, or shop-assistant or salesman (salesgirl). They put your money in a cash register, give you a receipt and your change, and wrap up the article purchased. You] may get some goods free (e.g. free samples of shampoo, etc.).

In some shops there are no salesmen or salesgirls, but only cashiersJ The customers choose the goods they want and pay at the cashdesk. These are called selfservice shops.

In the shops we see women arguing that the price shot up considerably! and the goods are too expensive (dear) or smiling when the price shrank [ and something seems to be cheap, and when prices are sinking. The' shoppers may pay for something by cheque, in cash or buy it on "hire] purchase" (often called the "never-never"). To do this, they pay a deposit] and then weekly or monthly installments according to the terms.

But in selfservice shops there are sometimes people who do not pay fori the things they have taken from the shelves. Security measures and] electronic gadgets are installed to prevent and detect shop-lifting] (stealing). Many stores install camera scanners, which are quite effective, i Many women prefer to shop in the market where goods are usually] cheaper. The owners of the stalls or barrows do not have such large,] expenses (overheads) as a shop owner. There we see people with carrier-] bags, baskets, parcels, and packets in their hands and tucked under their] arms as well as with the caddies.

People who cannot afford the things they want (e.g. haven't got money to be blown on a new car), or who have an eye on the household budget, go * window-shopping. Some people (browsers) simply enjoy it and spend their | spare time window-shopping. Sometimes, however, people have to dig into" ' their pockets to buy the thing they like best.

When we buy something, we pay for it with money-banknotes or coins! (silver coins, copper coins), e.g. we may pay with pound (pound sterling) | notes, dollar bills, dimes, threepenny pieces, etc. Cheques, bankers' cards, 1 and credit cards are being used increasingly and it is possible to imagine a I world where 'money' in the form of coins and paper currency will no longer ;] be used. Even today, in the United States, many places - especially filling \ stations - will not accept cash at night for security reasons.

Special cards are used in card phone boxes instead of dimes and other 1 coins.

People keep money at the savings bank.

The bank is an establishment for custody of money, which it pays out on customer's order. The savings' bank is receiving small deposits at I interest and devoting profits to benefit of depositors.