Unit 1

INVITATIONS

Session 3 Session 3

Passage II An Invitation Letter

Section III

Section IV Trying Your Hand Passage II

Section IV
 Unit 1
INVITATIONS
Section III
Session 3
Passage 2 An Invitation Letter

Lead in

Global Reading Section III

Passage II

Practice
Section IV
 Unit 1
INVITATIONS

Session 3
Lead in
1. Related Information

2. Warm-up Questions

3.Understanding an Invitation Letter Section III

Passage II

Section IV
 Unit 1
INVITATIONS
Lead in Session 3
Related Information

This is an informal letter between friends. The tone of

this letter is casual. The language is not so formal. This
kind of informal invitation letter is often written in the third
Section III
person. For example, “in the hope that it will be possible Passage II

for you both to spend a few days with us during your stay
in England.” “ and it would be nice if you could come then, Section IV
too.” But a formal invitation card is usually written in the
first person.
 Unit 1
INVITATIONS

Lead in Session 3
Sentences Often Used in a Letter

1. It seems ages since we heard from you.

2. I am writing straightaway in the hope that (it will be
possible for you both to spend a few days with us during
your stay in England).
Section III
3. There’s not a great deal to report from our end. Passage II
4. I’d better stop here now; I’m supposed to be spending
this evening (writing Christmas cards).
5. Write or phone as soon as you can--- and come! Section IV
6. Love from us all.
7. Yours ever, (Richard).
 Unit 1
INVITATIONS

Session 3
Warm-up Questions

1. Have you ever received an invitation letter in English?

2. What points should an invitation letter include?

Section III
Passage II

Section IV
 Unit 1
INVITATIONS

Understanding an Invitation Letter Session 3

Who invites whom?

What is the aim of the invitation?

On what occasion is the invitation given?

Section III
When and where is the event to be held? Passage II

Is a reply to the invitation needed?

Section IV
 Unit 1
INVITATIONS

Session 3
Global Reading

1.Comprehension of the letter

Section III
2. Words and Sentences Passage II

Section IV
 Unit 1
INVITATIONS

Comprehension of the letter Session 3

1. Question for Para. 1:

Why does Richard write to

Michael?
He wants to invite Michael and Lucia to spend a Section III
few days with his family in England. Passage II

Section IV
 Unit 1
INVITATIONS

Comprehension of the letter Session 3

2. Question for Para. 2:

What job is Richard doing

now?

Section III
He is teaching English literature in a university. Passage II

Section IV
 Unit 1
INVITATIONS

Comprehension of the letter Session 3

3. Question for Para. 3:

Who else will be invited to his house over
the
New Year weekend?
Mike and Rosa Griffiths . Section III
Passage II
If weather permitting, what outdoor activity will
Richard arrange for his friends?
Section IV
Visiting the Carters.
 Unit 1
INVITATIONS

Comprehension of the letter Session 3

4. Question for Para. 4:

How are Richard’s family getting

along ?

Quite well. Section III

Passage II

Section IV
 Unit 1
INVITATIONS
Text An Invitation Letter Session 3
10 November 2006

Para. 1 My dear Michael,  

It seems ages since we heard from you 1 — and even
longer since you went to work in China. But recently we
happened to bump into Charlie Wright at a party, and from
1.(Para. 1) It seems ages since we heard from you.  
him we learnt that you and Lucia will be coming to England Section III
Passage II
Analysis:
over the Christmas holidays. So I am writing straightaway —
It seems ages since... means “it seems a long
to time
make sure
since ...’’ .this
  reaches you well before you leave
Shanghai — in the hope that it will be possible for you both Section IV

Translation:
spend a few似乎很长时间没有收到你的信了。
days with us during your stay in England.  
to 2
Example:
It seems ages since I saw you in Shanghai.  
Close
 Unit 1
INVITATIONS
(Para. An
2.Text 1) SoInvitation Letter
I am writing straightaway—to make
sure this reaches you well before you leave
Session 3
Shanghai—in the hope that it will be10possible
Novemberfor 2006
you both to spend a few days with us during your
stayPara. 1 My  dear Michael,  
in England.
Analysis:
It seems ages since we heard from you 1 — and even
  make sure… is an adverbial of purpose, and
To
longer
in the
hope ,a since you went
prepositional to work
phrase usedinalso
China.
as anBut recently
adverbial of we
happened to bump into Charlie Wright at a party, and from
purpose.
Translation:
him we learnt所以我马上写信，好让你在离开上海之前肯
that you and Lucia will be coming to England Section III
Passage II
定收到这封信 —— 希望你们俩能在英格兰逗留期间和我
over the Christmas holidays. So I am writing straightaway —
们一起住几天。
to make sure   this reaches you well before you leave
Example: I am
Shanghai — sending
in the hopethis
thatcard tobe
it will you today —to
possible for you both Section IV

make surea few

to spend youdays
receive it us
with before theyour
during Christmas
stay inDay.
England.   2
Close
 Unit 1
INVITATIONS
Text 3) I imagine you will be spending Christmas itself
3.(Para. Session 3
with your parents, but surely you will have some time after
Para.your
that before 2 I Christmas holidays
am still teaching end. Literature in a
English
Analysis:
university and I am getting well along with my colleagues. I
Surely is used
also have some to express
Chinese that someone
students here,iswho
certain or friendly
are very
almost certain about something.
and intelligent.
Translation: 我猜想你将在你的父母家过圣诞节 ,
 
Para. 3 I imagine you will be spending Christmas
但肯定在你的圣诞节假日结束之前还会有一些时间。   with Section III
Example: These
your parents, butchildren surely
surely you will deserve
have somesomething
time after that Passage II

better than
before a life
your on the streets.
Christmas holidays  end. 3 We shall be
Close
having two other friends of ours staying with us over the Section IV
New Year weekend, and it would be nice if you could come
then, too. Mike and Rosa Griffiths are old friends and very
 Unit 1
INVITATIONS
 4.(Para.
Text 4) I am still working for Sanderson’s and liking it
well enough—though occasionally pining for the footloose Session 3
nice couple;
days of I’m  sure you will like them. They used to live in
long ago.
China, too, so we shall have something in common. And if
Analysis:
we get somehere
Sanderson’s decent
refersweather, we might
to a company all go
implying off one day and
Sanderson’s
visit the Carters
Company; though— is I’m sure weacan
introducing get Uncle
participle clauseArthur
piningto
forlend
…
and
us hisserving as the
minibus.   adverbial of concession.

Para. 4我还在桑德森公司工作，而且工作很称心
Translation: There’s not a great deal to report from ——
our 虽然
偶尔我也渴望从前自由自在的日子。
end. Mary is well and still enjoying  her school teaching Section III
Passage II
Example:
(at least, IThey
thinkare working
so); happily
the children arewith Kent’s,
growing upthough
at a
sometimes pining
terrifying rate; I amfor the
still footloose
working for school days. and
Sanderson’s   Close
liking it well enough — though occasionally pining for the Section IV

footloose days of long ago. 4 But let’s hope you will

soon be here to see for yourselves — and help us see the
New Year in!  
 Unit 1
INVITATIONS
Text An Invitation
happen Letter
to do sth.: have or do sth. by or as if by chance
Session 3
FOR EXAMPLE: 10 November 2006

Para. 1 IfMy
you happen
dear to see him, ask him to phone me.
Michael,
Theresince
It seems ages happened to be afrom
we heard young man there,
you so I
asked him the way. 1 — and even
longer since you went to work in China. But recently we
happened to bump into Charlie Wright at a party, and
Closefrom

him we learnt that you and Lucia will be coming to England Section III
Passage II
over the Christmas holidays. So I am writing straightaway —
to make sure this reaches you well before you leave
Shanghai — in the hope that it will be possible for you both Section IV

to spend a few days with us during your stay in England.   2

 Unit 1
INVITATIONS
Text An Invitation
make sure: find outLetter
if something is true or check Session 3
that something has been 10
done
November 2006
FOR EXAMPLE:
Para. 1 My dear Michael,  
Make sure of the time and place.
It seems ages since
I think we is
there heard from
a flight to you 1 —
Shanghai at and
2:30,even
but
you’d
longer since youbetter
wentmake sure.in China. But recently we
to work
Close
happened to bump into Charlie Wright at a party, and from
him we learnt that you and Lucia will be coming to England Section III
Passage II
over the Christmas holidays. So I am writing straightaway —
to make sure this reaches you well before you leave
Shanghai — in the hope that it will be possible for you both Section IV

to spend a few days with us during your stay in England.   2

 Unit 1
INVITATIONS
Text
Session 3

Para. 2 I am still teaching English Literature in a

university and I am getting well along with my colleagues. I
also have some Chinese students here, who are very friendly
colleague
and n. someone that you work with
intelligent.
  EXAMPLE:
FOR
Para. 3 I imagine you will be spending Christmas with Section III
your parents, but surely you will have some time after that Passage II
I’d like you to meet a colleague of mine,
before your Christmas holidays end. 3 We shall be
Jean Michael.
having two never
He was other friends
popularof ours
with hisstaying with us over the
colleagues. Section IV
New Year weekend, and it would be nice if you could come
Close
then, too. Mike and Rosa Griffiths are old friends and very
 Unit 1
INVITATIONS
Text at least: not less than Session 3
nice couple; I’m
FOR sure you will like them. They used to live in
EXAMPLE:
China, too, so we shall have something in common. And if
We spent at least two weeks there.
we get some decent weather, we might all go off one day and
visit the Carters
The—swimming
I’m sure we can
suit get Uncle
costs Arthur
at least $25. to lend
us his minibus.  
Close
Para. 4 There’s not a great deal to report from our
Section III
end. Mary is well and still enjoying her school teaching Passage II

(at least, I think so); the children are growing up at a

terrifying rate; I am still working for Sanderson’s and
Section IV
liking it well enough — though occasionally pining for the
footloose days of long ago. 4 But let’s hope you will
soon be here to see for yourselves — and help us see the
New Year in!  
 Unit 1
INVITATIONS
Text Occasionally: adv. once in a while Session 3
nice couple; I’m
FOR sure you will like them. They used to live in
EXAMPLE:
China, too, so we shall have something in common. And if
He visits me occasionally.
we get some decent weather, we might all go off one day and
visit the Carters
We—have
I’m sure we can
a shower get Uncle Arthur
occasionally to lend
on a summer
us his minibus.
day. 
Close
Para. 4 There’s not a great deal to report from our
Section III
end. Mary is well and still enjoying her school teaching Passage II

(at least, I think so); the children are growing up at a

terrifying rate; I am still working for Sanderson’s and
Section IV
liking it well enough — though occasionally pining for the
footloose days of long ago. But
4 let’s hope you will soon
be here to see for yourselves — and help us see the New
Year in!  
 Unit 1
INVITATIONS
Section IV
Trying Your Hand Session 3

Applied Writing

Grammar Review
Section III
Passage II

Sentence Writing
Section IV
 Unit 1
INVITATIONS

Session 3
Applied Writing
Format Analysis

Language Features

Additional Samples
Section III
Passage II
Read and Simulate

Simulate and Create Section IV

 Unit 1
INVITATIONS

Format analysis Session 3

A letter of invitation to a formal occasion, say, a

symposium, forum or conference is different from a
personal letter. It is more like the announcement of
an event, informing the recipient of the aim, topic(s)
and sponsor(s) of the event, and the place and time Section III
it is to be held. Usually a registration form and a list Passage II

of topics are attached to it. Dates for papers, social

events, and an introduction of local sightseeing Section IV

tours, etc., are also stated.

 Unit 1
INVITATIONS

Language features Session 3

Sentences used in making an invitation and giving a reply.
1. We have pleasure in inviting you to (our annual conference).
2. We would be very grateful if you would (consider giving us
an update on this issue).
3. We would appreciate it if you could confirm your participation
at your earliest convenience.
Section III
4. Thank you for your letter of (25 May) and I am pleased to Passage II
confirm my participation in (this year’s conference to be held in
July).
5. I would be grateful if you could send me further details about
Section IV
the program.
6. I look forward to attending the conference. (I am looking
forward to attending the conference.)
 Unit 1
INVITATIONS
Additional samples
Session 3
1. A formal invitation:

Chairman
Of the Students’ Union
requests the pleasure of
Mr. And Mrs. John Smith’s company Section III
Passage II
at the New Year’s Party
at the University Hall
on Thursday Section IV
December 30th, 7:00 pm.
R,S.V.P. Dec. 28, 2006
 Unit 1
INVITATIONS
Additional samples
Session 3
2. An informal invitation:

Dear Mr. And Mrs. Silver,

May we have the pleasure of your company at our Silver
Wedding Party in our house on Friday, June 1st, at 7:30
p.m.? Section III
Passage II
Yours very truly,
(Signature)
Sam Hekinen Section IV
 Unit 1
INVITATIONS
Additional samples
Session 3
3. A formal reply:

Mr. And Mrs. John Smith

accept with pleasure the kind invitation
from Chairman of the Students’ Union Section III
Passage II
to be present at the New Year’s Party
on December 30th.
December 28th Section IV
 Unit 1
INVITATIONS
Additional samples
Session 3
3. A formal reply:
December
28th
Mr. And Mrs. Tony Silver regret that Mr. Silver’s
hospitalization on account of a serious cold Section III
Passage II
prevents them from accepting the kind invitation
of Chairman of the Students’ Union to be present
Section IV
at the New Year’s Party on
December 30th.
 Unit 1
INVITATIONS
Additional samples
Session 3
4. An informal reply:

Dear
DearMr.
Mr.And
AndMrs.
Mrs.Hekinen,
Hekinen,
Thank
Thankyouyouvery
verymuch
muchfor
forinviting
invitingme
me
and
andmymywife
wifetotoyour
yourSilver
SilverWedding
WeddingParty
Partyon
on
June
June1st,
1st,which
whichmy mywife
wifeand
andIIare
arevery
verymuch
much
delighted
delightedtotoaccept.
accept.
Section III
Passage II
Sincerely
Sincerely
yours,
yours,
(Signature)
(Signature) Section IV
Tony
TonySilver
Silver
 Unit 1
INVITATIONS
Additional samples
Session 3
4. An informal reply:

Dear
DearMr.
Mr.And
AndMrs.
Mrs.Hekinen,
Hekinen,
Thank
Thankyou
youvery
verymuch
muchforforinviting
invitingme
meand
and
my
mywife
wifeto
toyour
yourSilver
SilverWedding
WeddingParty
Partyon
onJune
June
1st.
1st.However,
However,IIregret
regretto
toinform
informyou
youthat
thatowing
owing
to
toaaprevious
previousengagement
engagementwe weshall
shallnot
notbe
beable
able
Section III
Passage II
to
tocome.
come.

Sincerely
Sincerelyyours,
yours, Section IV
(Signature)
(Signature)
Tony
TonySilver
Silver
 Unit 1
INVITATIONS

Grammar Review Session 3

Word Order in a Subordinate Clause
Simple wh-question ： What is she doing now?

Wh-question as an objective clause ： I don’t know what

she is doing now.

Simple wh-question ： When will they go to Shanghai?

Section III
Passage II

Wh-question as a subjective clause ： When they will go to

Shanghai hasn’t yet been decided.
Section IV
It hasn’t yet been decided when they will go to Shanghai.
 Unit 1
INVITATIONS

Grammar Review Session 3

Word Order in a Subordinate Clause

Simple wh-question ： What does he want to read today?

Wh-question as a predicative clause ： This is what he

wants to read today.

Section III
Simple wh-question ： Where are you now? Passage II

Wh-question as an adverbial clause ： Could you stay for a

while where you are now? Section IV
 Unit 1
INVITATIONS
Useful words and phrases
Session 3
She would love to come;  
but not able to come;  
Peter, Sandra’s husband, and Sandra going to Italy
on July 9th on holiday;  
stay in Rome for ten days;  
Section III
Passage II
go on to travel to England on July 20th;  
have a whole month there;  
before closing the letter;   Section IV

give best wishes  

 Unit 1
INVITATIONS

Session 3
Assignments for this session

Do Exercises 8-9 of Passage 2.

Do Exercises 7-8 of Section IV.
Do the grammar exercises in the Workbook.
Section III

Read and remember the new words in Passage 2. Passage II

Prepare Section I in Unit Two.

Section IV