2. • Discussion questions – different kinds of requests (10 mins)
• Reading activity – checking vocabulary / context (5 mins)
• Reading activity – comprehension questions (10 mins)
• Reading activity – scanning / priority (10 mins)
• Vocabulary building – Matching definitions (10 mins)
• Vocabulary building – word building skills (15 mins)
• Language note – structures for making requests (5 mins)
• Language note – matching structures to formality (5 mins)
• Language note – practising structures (10 mins) 90
• Funny office requests quiz – (10 mins)
• Formal requests practice – (10 mins)
• Making requests speaking activity – instructions (5 mins)
• Making requests speaking activity – activity (15 mins) 110
3.
4. • What sort of things do people ask you for in
your daily life?
• What sort of requests do businesses
receive from their customers?
• When do people ask you for things in writing
instead of in asking in person?
• Have you ever made a written request for
something? At work? From a company?
5. Reading tip
Make sure you scan the whole text when making
notes.
Don't stop reading after you've located the
information you're looking for.
There may be more information later on, and you
might miss something important.
6. (1)Stevens Electrical.
9447, 47 Ave.
Albuquerque, NM
10047, W.22 St.
Albuquerque, NM
11 July 2013
Dear Sir/Madam,
Our records indicate that you have an outstanding balance of $543.89 with a due
date of the 8th July. We have yet to receive this payment. Please find a copy of
the invoice enclosed.
If this amount has already been paid and sent, please disregard this notice and
we apologize for any inconvenience. Otherwise, please forward us the amount
stated above. As our written agreement states, we will start charging a 5%
interest on any outstanding balance after 15 days.
Thank you for your cooperation regarding this matter. We sincerely hope we can
continue doing business together in the future. Sincerely,
J. Hunt
Accounts Manager The company wants to be paid.
7. (A) Everyday requests Skim through the four requests to Helen Draper, assistant
manager at Stevens Electrical Ltd. For each request identify what the writer wants.
(2) Helen,
Please can you pick up some stamps when you
go out later? We need some ASAP. Use the
petty cash - and don't forget to get a
receipt. Thanks! Rachel
Rachel wants Helen to buy stamps.
8. (3) TO :Admin@stevenselectrical.com
Subject: Alarm System estimate
To whom it may concern I am writing to request an estimate for an
alarm system for our new headquarters which will be located in
Springfield, Kansas. Enclosed is a package which outlines the
specifications for our request and the layout of the buildings.
Please submit your signed and sealed bid by 5 p.m. on August 1,
along with a guarantee that you can finish the system within two
weeks of signing the contract.
Thank you for your kind consideration,
H. Hodge Greenfield Ltd. H.Hodge wants Helen’s company to give
them an estimate for an alarm system
9. (4) TO: hdraperstevenselectrical.com
Subject: Leaving Early
Dear Jenny, Would it be possible for me to leave early on Thursday
afternoon as I have a dental appointment? Ideally, I need to leave
by 3p.m. at the latest. I assure you that I will complete all urgent
work beforehand, and can make up the hours on Friday. I'd
appreciate it if you could let me know if this is acceptable by the
end of the day, so that I have ample time to rearrange the
appointment if necessary.
Thanks,
Helen
Jenny wants permission to
leave early on Thursday.
10. (2) Complete the sentences with the correct answer.
1. The payment in letter 1 is...
a. overdue b. due in 15 days
2. Rachel's request is...
a. urgent b. not urgent
3 Request 3 is from a…….
a. current client b. potential client
4 Jenny is probably Helen's
a. line manager b. assistant
11. (3) Complete the table with the tasks that Helen must do in order
of priority, starting with the earliest deadline.
Priority Task Deadline
1
2
3
4
12. (1)Stevens Electrical.
9447, 47 Ave.
Albuquerque, NM
10047, W.22 St.
Albuquerque, NM
11 July 2013
Dear Sir/Madam,
Our records indicate that you have an outstanding balance of $543.89 with a due
date of the 8th July. We have yet to receive this payment. Please find a copy of
the invoice enclosed.
If this amount has already been paid and sent, please disregard this notice and
we apologize for any inconvenience. Otherwise, please forward us the amount
stated above. As our written agreement states, we will start charging a 5%
interest on any outstanding balance after 15 days.
Thank you for your cooperation regarding this matter. We sincerely hope we can
continue doing business together in the future. Sincerely,
J. Hunt
Accounts Manager
13. (A) Everyday requests Skim through the four requests to Helen Draper, assistant
manager at Stevens Electrical Ltd. For each request identify what the writer wants.
(2) Helen,
Please can you pick up some stamps when you
go out later? We need some ASAP. Use the
petty cash - and don't forget to get a
receipt. Thanks! Rachel
14. (3) TO :Admin@stevenselectrical.com
Subject: Alarm System estimate
To whom it may concern I am writing to request an estimate for an
alarm system for our new headquarters which will be located in
Springfield, Kansas. Enclosed is a package which outlines the
specifications for our request and the layout of the buildings.
Please submit your signed and sealed bid by 5 p.m. on August 1,
along with a guarantee that you can finish the system within two
weeks of signing the contract.
Thank you for your kind consideration,
H. Hodge Greenfield Ltd.
15. (4) TO: hdraperstevenselectrical.com
Subject: Leaving Early
Dear Jenny, Would it be possible for me to leave early on Thursday
afternoon as I have a dental appointment? Ideally, I need to leave
by 3p.m. at the latest. I assure you that I will complete all urgent
work beforehand, and can make up the hours on Friday. I'd
appreciate it if you could let me know if this is acceptable by the
end of the day, so that I have ample time to rearrange the
appointment if necessary.
Thanks,
Helen
16. (3) Complete the table with the tasks that Helen must do in order
of priority, starting with the earliest deadline.
Priority Task Deadline
1
2
3
4
buy stamps ASAP / this
morning?
Speak to Jenny about
leaving early
The end of the
day
Pay outstanding
balance
23rd July
Complete bid for
alarm system
1st August
17. (4) Find words with the meanings below. The number of the text it appears in is given.
1. an amount of money that you owe (2 words, request 1)
2. a document listing work done and its cost (request 1)
3. extra money charged for borrowing money (request 1)
4. money kept in the office to buy small items (2 words, request 2)
5. a guess at how much something will cost (request 3)
6. an offer to do work for a particular amount of money when other
people are competing to do the same work (request 3)
7. a legal document stating the terms and conditions of an
agreement (request 3)
8. plenty of (request 4)
18. (4) Find words with the meanings below. The number of the text it appears in is given.
1. an amount of money that you owe (2 words, request 1)
2. a document listing work done and its cost (request 1)
3. extra money charged for borrowing money (request 1)
4. money kept in the office to buy small items (2 words, request 2)
Outstanding balance
invoice
interest
Petty cash
19. 5. a guess at how much something will cost (request 3)
6. an offer to do work for a particular amount of money when other
people are competing to do the same work (request 3)
7. a legal document stating the terms and conditions of an
agreement (request 3)
8. plenty of (request 4)
estimate
bid
contract
ample
20. (1)Stevens Electrical.
9447, 47 Ave.
Albuquerque, NM
10047, W.22 St.
Albuquerque, NM
11 July 2013
Dear Sir/Madam,
Our records indicate that you have an outstanding balance of $543.89 with a due
date of the 8th July. We have yet to receive this payment. Please find a copy of
the invoice enclosed.
If this amount has already been paid and sent, please disregard this notice and
we apologize for any inconvenience. Otherwise, please forward us the amount
stated above. As our written agreement states, we will start charging a 5%
interest on any outstanding balance after 15 days.
Thank you for your cooperation regarding this matter. We sincerely hope we can
continue doing business together in the future. Sincerely,
J. Hunt
Accounts Manager
21. (A) Everyday requests Skim through the four requests to Helen Draper, assistant
manager at Stevens Electrical Ltd. For each request identify what the writer wants.
(2) Helen,
Please can you pick up some stamps when you
go out later? We need some ASAP. Use the
petty cash - and don't forget to get a
receipt. Thanks! Rachel
22. (3) TO :Admin@stevenselectrical.com
Subject: Alarm System estimate
To whom it may concern I am writing to request an estimate for an
alarm system for our new headquarters which will be located in
Springfield, Kansas. Enclosed is a package which outlines the
specifications for our request and the layout of the buildings.
Please submit your signed and sealed bid by 5 p.m. on August 1,
along with a guarantee that you can finish the system within two
weeks of signing the contract.
Thank you for your kind consideration,
H. Hodge Greenfield Ltd.
23. (4) TO: hdraperstevenselectrical.com
Subject: Leaving Early
Dear Jenny, Would it be possible for me to leave early on Thursday
afternoon as I have a dental appointment? Ideally, I need to leave
by 3p.m. at the latest. I assure you that I will complete all urgent
work beforehand, and can make up the hours on Friday. I'd
appreciate it if you could let me know if this is acceptable by the
end of the day, so that I have ample time to rearrange the
appointment if necessary.
Thanks,
Helen
24. Language note
The type of language used when making requests reflects the social
position of the sender and recipient, the level of formality and the nature
of the request.
• A formal request may use "Please' and the infinitive form.
• Please forward us the amount stated above.
• Simple requests to people you know well often use 'Can'.
• Can you pick up some stamps when you go out later?
• Requests for permission or favours often use more polite phrases.
• Would it be possible for me to leave early on Thursday afternoon?
• I'd appreciate it if you could let me know by the end of the day.
25. Look again at the four requests.
1. Circle the phrases used to make formal requests. (x5)
2. Underline the phrase used to make an informal request. (x2)
3. Which requests are more formal? Those from strangers / those from people
you know?
4. Which requests are more formal? Those from your employees / those from
your manager?
5. Is it always necessary to use 'please' when making polite requests? Yes / no
26. Look again at the four requests.
1. Circle the phrases used to make formal requests.
2. Underline the phrase used to make an informal
request.
Please forward us ... (text 1);
I am writing to request... (text 3);
Please submit ... (text 3),
Would it be possible for me to ... (text 4);
I'd appreciate it if you could (text 4)
Please can you ... (text 2);
Don't forget to ... (text 2)
27. 3. Which requests are more formal? Those from
strangers / those from people you know?
4. Which requests are more formal? Those from your
employees / those from your manager?
5. Is it always necessary to use 'please' when making
polite requests? Yes / no
Those from strangers
Those from your manager
Yes
35. Word-building skills
• Read through the sentences using words from
the requests.
• Look at the spaces and think about what kinds
of words are missing verb, noun , adjective or
adverb.
36. Word-building skills
Look at the spaces and think about what kinds of words are missing
• Verbs come after a subject / pronoun (I, you etc)
• Nouns come after an adjective (person/ place/ thing /
concept) Or after a, an or the (with / with adjective)
• Adjectives come before nouns to describe them
• Adverbs come before adjectives to add extra
information.
• Adverbs come after verbs to describe how we do an
action.
37. Look at the gaps and
decide what type of
word is missing
38. 1. I wrote them a letter to ask for an ___________(APOLOGISE)
2. There is little ________(INDICATE) of them buying the company.
3. Most people _______(AGREEMENT) with the manager and wanted him to
leave.
4. We found the lack of action very ________ (CONCERN).
5. You need to ________ (SPECIFICATIONS) what needs to be changed in
your request.
6. ________ (SUBMIT) for the competition need to be received by the end of
the month.
7. The way the staff spoke to us was very ____________ (CONSIDERATION).
8. The company has __________(APPOINTMENT) a new woman CEO.
9. This matter needs to be dealt with ________ (URGENT).
10. The manager had a great deal of ___________ (APPRECIATE) for her
staff.
noun
noun
verb
adjective
adjective
verb
Noun
verb
adverb
noun
39. Now change the words
in Capitals to complete
the sentences
40. 1. I wrote them a letter to ask for an ___________(APOLOGISE)
2. There is little ________(INDICATE) of them buying the company.
3. Most people _______(AGREEMENT) with the manager and wanted him to
leave.
4. We found the lack of action very __________ (CONCERN).
5. You need to ________ (SPECIFICATIONS) what needs to be changed in
your request.
6. ___________ (SUBMIT) for the competition need to be received by the end
of the month.
7. The way the staff spoke to us was very ____________ (CONSIDERATION).
8. The company has __________(APPOINTMENT) a new woman CEO.
9. This matter needs to be dealt with ________ (URGENT).
10. The manager had a great deal of ___________ (APPRECIATE) for her
staff.
apology
indication
disagreed
(in)considerate
concerning
specify
Submissions
appointed
urgently
appreciation
41.
42. Carnegie Hotel
12 Ave, Albuquerque, NM
Dear Ms. Draper
I am writing with regards to your recent enquiry about booking a function room for the
evening of September 4th.
I have yet to receive your deposit and wondered whether you still intended to make this
booking. if so, I'd 1. .......... it if you could pay the deposit within the next five days. If you
have recently sent us the deposit, please 2... .......... this part of the letter and 3...............
.... my apologies
Also 4...... ........ is a list of the additional services we offer, including refreshments and
equipment hire. If you require any of these services, would it be 5...................... for you to
let us know before 20th August at the 6................? This will give us ample time to prepare
the function room so that it meets your 7..... .............................................
Many thanks for your 8...................... regarding this matter.
Yours sincerely.
P. Burgess
Events Coordinator
Carnegie Hotel
43. 1. a. consider b. appreciate c. welcome d. realize
2. a. disregard b. delete c. forget d. cancel
3. a. acknowledge b. recognize c. accept d. take
4. a. enclosed b. submitted c. proposed d. presented
5. a. likely b. probable c. possible d. preferable
6. a. most b. latest c. least d. last
7. a. aspirations b. necessities c. commands d.
requirements
8. a. cooperation b. conviction c. association d. relief
Formal requests
Choose the best word to fill each gap.
44. 1. a. consider b. appreciate c. welcome d. realize
2. a. disregard b. delete c. forget d. cancel
3. a. acknowledge b. recognize c. accept d. take
4. a. enclosed b. submitted c. proposed d. presented
I have yet to receive your deposit and wondered whether you still
intended to make this booking. if so, I'd 1. ........................... it if you
could pay the deposit within the next five days. If you have
recently sent us the deposit, please 2 .......................... this part of
the letter and 3 ..................................... my apologies
Also 4................................... is a list of the additional services we
offer, including refreshments and equipment hire.
appreciate
disregard
accept
enclosed
45. 5. a. likely b. probable c. possible d. preferable
6. a. most b. latest c. least d. last
7. a. aspirations b. necessities c. commands d.
requirements
8. a. cooperation b. conviction c. association d. relief
If you require any of these services, would it be 5...................... for
you to let us know before 20th August at the 6...........................? This
will give us ample time to prepare the function room so that it
meets your 7..... .............................................
Many thanks for your 8................................. regarding this matter.
Yours sincerely.
P. Burgess
Events Coordinator
Carnegie Hotel
possible
latest
requirements
cooperation
46. You are going to play a board game where you practice
making requests in everyday situations.
You have the board game on your handout. The cards are
on Google classroom.
Roll the die and move round the board on your board.
Your partner will then choose a situation for you.
You should then try to make a request for the situation
using the request phrase on the square.
47. For example, if the situation read 'You are at a hotel reception.
You need a taxi. Make a request' and the phrase on the square
was 'Do you mind...?', the player might say 'Do you mind calling a taxi for
me?’
If the request is correct, the student who read the situation accepts the
request, e.g. 'Sure. No problem.’
If the request is incorrect, the student refuses the request, e.g.
'Sorry, but I do mind'. The player then goes back to their previous
square.
