Try the online quiz, reading, listening, and activities on grammar, spelling and vocabulary for this lesson on World Post Day. Click on the links above or see the activities below this article:
READ
World Post Day happens each year on the 9th of October. This date is the anniversary of the Universal Postal Union (UPU), which started in 1874 in Switzerland. The UPU was the start of the global communications revolution; people could write to others all over the world. World Post Day started in 1969 at the UPU Congress in Tokyo. Since then, countries all over the world take part in celebrations to highlight the importance of our postal services. Many things happen on this day. Post offices in some countries hold special stamp collection exhibitions; there are open days at postal museums and there are workshops on postal history. The UPU organizes an international letter-writing competition for young people.
Postal systems have been in operation for many centuries. From way back in history, people sent letters to each other. These were delivered on foot or on horseback by special messengers. From the 1600s, the first national postage systems began springing up in many countries. These were more organized and many people could us them. Slowly, countries agreed to exchange mail internationally. By the late 1800s, there was a global postal service, but it was slow and complicated. The birth of the UPU in 1874 opened the way for the super-efficient postal service we have today. In 1948, the UPU became an agency of the United Nations. It is now monitoring our systems of digital communication.
Sources: http://www.wikipedia.org/ and assorted sites.
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PHRASE MATCH
Match the following phrases from the article.
Paragraph 1
1.
anniversary of the
a.
celebrations
2
the global communications
b.
competition
3.
take part in
c.
at postal museums
4.
stamp
d.
Universal Postal Union
5.
there are open days
e.
collection
6.
letter-writing
f.
revolution
Paragraph 2
1.
From way back
a.
on foot
2
delivered
b.
efficient postal service
3.
postage systems began
c.
in history
4.
By the late
d.
springing up
5.
the super-
e.
communication
6.
digital
f.
1800s
LISTENING GAP FILL
World Post Day _________________ the 9th of October. This date is the anniversary of the Universal Postal Union (UPU), which started in 1874 in Switzerland. The UPU _________________ the global communications revolution; people could write to others all over the world. World Post Day ___________________ the UPU Congress in Tokyo. Since then, countries all over the _________________ celebrations to highlight the importance of our postal services. Many things happen on this day. Post offices in some countries hold ___________________ exhibitions; ___________________ at postal museums and there are workshops on postal history. The UPU organizes an international letter-writing competition for young people.
Postal systems have ___________________ many centuries. From way back in history, people sent letters to each other. These were ___________________ horseback by special messengers. From the 1600s, the first national postage systems began _________________ countries. These were more organized and many people could us them. Slowly, countries ___________________ mail internationally. By the late 1800s, there was a global postal service, but it was slow and complicated. The birth of the UPU in 1874 _________________ the super-efficient postal service we have today. In 1948, the UPU became an agency of the United Nations. It is now monitoring our _________________ communication.
WHILE READING / LISTENING GAP FILL
Put the words into the gaps in the text.
World Post Day happens ____________ year on the 9th of October. This date is the anniversary of the Universal Postal Union (UPU), which started in 1874 in Switzerland. The UPU was the start of the ____________ communications revolution; people could write to ____________ all over the world. World Post Day started in 1969 at the UPU Congress in Tokyo. Since then, countries all over the world take ____________ in celebrations to ____________ the importance of our postal services. Many things happen on this day. Post offices in some countries hold special stamp ____________ exhibitions; there are open days at postal museums and there are workshops on postal ____________. The UPU ____________ an international letter-writing competition for young people.
others collection global highlight organizes each history part
Postal systems have been in ____________ for many centuries. From way back in ____________, people sent letters to each other. These were ____________ on foot or on horseback by special messengers. From the 1600s, the first national postage systems began ____________ up in many countries. These were more organized and many people could us them. Slowly, countries agreed to ____________ mail internationally. By the late 1800s, there was a global postal service, but it was slow and ____________. The birth of the UPU in 1874 opened the way for the super-efficient postal service we have today. In 1948, the UPU became an ____________ of the United Nations. It is now monitoring our systems of ____________ communication.
complicated delivered operation agency digital history springing exchange
CHOOSE THE CORRECT WORD
Delete the wrong word in each of the pairs of italics.
World Post Day happens each / all year on the 9th of October. This date is the anniversary of the Universal Postal Union (UPU), which started in 1874 in Switzerland. The UPU was the start / starting of the global communications revolution; people could write to others all over the world. World Post Day started in 1969 at the UPU Congress in Tokyo. Since then, countries all over the world make / take part in celebrations to highlight the importance of our posting / postal services. Many things happen on this day. Post offices in some countries hold special stamp / stamped collection exhibitions; there are open / closed days at postal museums and there are workshops on postal history. The UPU organizes / organization an international letter-writing competition for / to young people.
Postal systems have been in operating / operation for many centuries. From way back in historical / history, people sent letters to each other. These were delivered on foot or on horseback on / by special messengers. From the 1600s, the first national postage systems began springing down / up in many countries. These were more organized and many people could us them. Slowly, countries agreed to change / exchange mail internationally. By the late 1800s, there was a global postal service, but it was slow and complicated. The birth / born of the UPU in 1874 opened the way for the super-efficient postal service we have today / yesterday. In 1948, the UPU became an agency of the United Nations. It is now monitoring / monitors our systems of digital communication.
MULTIPLE CHOICE
World Post Day (1) ____ each year on the 9th of October. This date is the anniversary of the Universal Postal Union (UPU), which started in 1874 in Switzerland. The UPU was the (2) ____ of the global communications revolution; people could write to others all over the world. World Post Day started in 1969 at the UPU Congress in Tokyo. Since then, countries all over the world (3) ____ part in celebrations to highlight the (4) ____ of our postal services. Many things happen on this day. Post offices in some countries hold special stamp (5) ____ exhibitions; there are (6) ____ days at postal museums and there are workshops on postal history. The UPU organizes an international letter-writing competition for young people.
Postal systems have been in (7) ____ for many centuries. From way back in history, people sent letters to each other. These were delivered on foot or on horseback by special (8) ____. From the 1600s, the first national postage systems began springing (9) ____ in many countries. These were more organized and many people could us them. Slowly, countries agreed to exchange mail internationally. By the (10) ____ 1800s, there was a global postal service, but it was slow and complicated. The (11) ____ of the UPU in 1874 opened the way for the super-efficient postal service we have today. In 1948, the UPU became an agency of the United Nations. It is now monitoring our (12) ____ of digital communication.
Put the correct words from this table into the article.
1.
(a)
happens
(b)
happened
(c)
happening
(d)
happen
2.
(a)
starting
(b)
starts
(c)
start
(d)
start up
3.
(a)
make
(b)
wake
(c)
take
(d)
fake
4.
(a)
import
(b)
important
(c)
importantly
(d)
importance
5.
(a)
collection
(b)
collectables
(c)
collecting
(d)
collects
6.
(a)
closed
(b)
open
(c)
opening
(d)
closure
7.
(a)
operating
(b)
operate
(c)
operation
(d)
operator
8.
(a)
messages
(b)
messengers
(c)
messaged
(d)
message
9.
(a)
down
(b)
on
(c)
in
(d)
up
10.
(a)
late
(b)
tardy
(c)
unpunctual
(d)
untimely
11.
(a)
born
(b)
birthday
(c)
births
(d)
birth
12.
(a)
systemic
(b)
systems
(c)
systematic
(d)
systemize
SPELLING
Spell the jumbled words (from the text) correctly.
Paragraph 1
1.
ahnepsp each year
2.
blaglo communications
3.
postal rissceve
4.
stamp oltiolnecc
5.
workshops on postal siotyrh
6.
young oeplep
Paragraph 2
7.
for many csertnieu
8.
special smsgeeners
9.
nceehxag mail
10.
super-ifitefcne
11.
an geacyn of the United Nations
12.
iagtlid communication
PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER
Number these lines in the correct order.
( )
1600s, the first national postage systems began springing up in many countries. These were more organized and many
( )
people could us them. Slowly, countries agreed to exchange mail internationally. By the late 1800s, there was a
( )
museums and there are workshops on postal history. The UPU organizes an international letter-
( )
way for the super-efficient postal service we have today. In 1948, the UPU became an agency of
( )
global postal service, but it was slow and complicated. The birth of the UPU in 1874 opened the
( )
this day. Post offices in some countries hold special stamp collection exhibitions; there are open days at postal
( )
Postal systems have been in operation for many centuries. From way back in
( )
others all over the world. World Post Day started in 1969 at the UPU Congress in Tokyo. Since then, countries all over the
( )
the United Nations. It is now monitoring our systems of digital communication.
( )
writing competition for young people.
( )
history, people sent letters to each other. These were delivered on foot or on horseback by special messengers. From the
( )
1874 in Switzerland. The UPU was the start of the global communications revolution; people could write to
( )
world take part in celebrations to highlight the importance of our postal services. Many things happen on
( 1 )
World Post Day happens each year on the 9th of October. This date is the anniversary of the Universal Postal Union (UPU), which started in
SCRAMBLED SENTENCES
With a partner, put the words back into the correct order.
1.
is This UPU of the date anniversary the .
2.
revolution communications global the of start The.
3.
to over write all world could others the People.
4.
. the importance of our postal services Highlight
5.
. special hold exhibitions Countries collection stamp
6.
operation Systems for have many been centuries in.
7.
way history sent From in people back , letters.
8.
postage began up National systems springing.
9.
internationally Countries to mail agreed exchange.
10.
way postal the the super-efficient Opened for service .
DISCUSSION (Write your own questions)
STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)
1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google’s search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.
2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find more information about World Post Day. Talk about what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.
3. MAGAZINE ARTICLE: Write a magazine article about World Post Day. Write about what happens around the world. Include two imaginary interviews with people who did something on this day.
Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.
4. POSTER: Make your own poster about World Post Day. Write about what will happen on this day around the world.
Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.
ANSWERS
Check your answers in "THE READING / TAPESCRIPT" section at the top of this page.
