LESSON 7A WRITING - An Informal Email
📚 Lesson Contents
🏺 Culture Reading
a) It was used in many different countries in the past.
✔️ TRUE
b) Every Roman family had an oven in their house.
✘ FALSE
c) Romans made a food similar to pizza in wood-fired ovens.
✔️ TRUE
d) Stone ovens aren't very efficient.
✘ FALSE
e) The taste of pizza made in a wood-fired oven is special.
✔️ TRUE
The wood-fired oven, made of brick or stone, has been around for thousands of years. Archaeologists have found such ovens in the excavation sites of almost all ancient civilizations. In fact, taboon flatbread, which is popular across the Middle East, takes its name from the word 'oven.'
Ancient Romans took their bread to a communal oven for baking, and this is probably the origin of today's pizza. Ovens made from stone allow for heat to be distributed evenly and efficiently. The wood fire gives flatbreads and pizzas a distinct and delicious taste.
📧 Email Analysis
To: DDFriend@happymessage.net
Subject: dinner
Hey Dalia,
How's it going? Great to see you Saturday night. I ate so much!!! Had to go to the gym today to get some exercise …
Got your invitation for next week. Thx! I can't wait! A family meal in the garden is a great idea. And everyone loves wood-fired oven taboon! Everyone's excited and I can't wait to see your parents again!
I'm trying to decide what to wear. I want to wear something appropriate but not overdressed, obviously. Not sure about the footwear. I think I'll wear my blue trainers because they're comfortable for being outside. It might be too cold for sandals. And a nice dress, of course, as it is a special occasion. I'll bring a warm jumper as well, in case it gets cold later. What do you reckon?
Do you fancy decorating for the event together? Let me know! Right, I'm off to make some dinner (finally hungry again after all that food!). Message me later.
Bye 4 now
Huda
Question 1
Why is she writing to Dalia?
To thank her for the invitation to the dinner, discuss what clothes she is going to wear and offer help to decorate for the party
Question 2
Identify five features that make it informal:
• Chatty style
• Short simple sentences
• Informal words and expressions
• Exclamation marks and emojis
• Abbreviations and contractions
✍️ Writing Practice
1. e) Hey Huda,
2. g) How RU doing? Just back from the gym. Last weekend was great, wasn't it?
3. f) And this weekend it's my garden dinner!
4. c) I have a suggestion for a matching outfit for the two of us.
5. a) You could wear white trainers and a silver dress and I could wear black trainers and a gold dress.
6. b) Let me know. Homework time now.
7. d) Love, Dalia
Phrases to use:
Do you fancy … Can't wait for … How's it going? I'm off to … … sort something out CU soon Hi there Hoping you can help.
🌐 Writing Resources
📝 English Writing Resources:
https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org - Writing skills
https://www.cambridgeenglish.org - Writing activities
https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish - Informal language
