4. • What special events do you usually receive formal
invitations to?
• How often do you get invited to special events?
• How are you usually invited? By letter? By email?
• When did you last attend a special event? What
was the occasion?
• How many people are typically invited to weddings
in your country?
5. • If you are invited to attend a formal event like a wedding, you are likely to
receive a traditional paper invitation, rather than an email.
• Writers take a lot of care over the wording and design of invitations;
receiving an invitation is really the first part of the event!
• In such invitations, the language is often quite formal and old-fashioned.
• You might see phrases like 'request the pleasure of your company' instead
of 'want you to come’.
• This language gives the invitation and the event more meaning and
importance.
6. Understanding
Look at this example of a formal invitation.
What event is this an invitation for?
Miss Fayah Kazmi Mr Neil McGregor
request the pleasure of your company at their marriage at
Wells Manor House, Forrester Road, Alford, GR64 1SG
on Saturday 7 July 2012 at 2pm and afterwards at
Frensham Hall Hotel, Steading Place,
Alford, GR62 2FL
RSVP (with dietary requirements)
by 1 May 2012
11 Simnel Grove
Haverton
Surrey
RH2 9PQ
This is an invitation to a wedding
(Fayah and Neil are getting
married).
7. Miss Fayah Kazmi Mr Neil McGregor
request the pleasure of your company at their marriage at
Wells Manor House, Forrester Road, Alford, GR64 1SG
on Saturday 7 July 2012 at 2pm and afterwards at
Frensham Hall Hotel, Steading Place,
Alford, GR62 2FL
RSVP (with dietary requirements)
by 1 May 2012 11 Simnel Grove ,Haverton ,Surrey ,RH2 9PQ
Looking more closely -Read the invitation again, then answer questions 1-4.
1. Where will Fayah and Neil get married? ……………………………………...
2. Where will Fayah and Neil have a party after the wedding? ……………………
3. By which date must guests reply to the invitation? ………………………………
4. When will Fayah and Neil get married? ……………………………………...
Wells Manor House.
Frensham Hall.
1 May 2012.
7 July 2012.
8. Writing appropriately -We use invitations for many different
events. Match the events 1-6 with their definitions a-f.
1. Wedding ___ a When two people get married.
2. Engagement
___
b An event to honour someone who has died.
3. Graduation ___ c. When a person finishes their working career, usually
in their 60s or 70s.
4.
Anniversary ___
d. When two people agree to get married.
5. Retirement
___
e. A date on which people remember an important event
from the past, e.g. their wedding
6. Memorial ___ f. When someone successfully completes their studies
at school or University
a
d
f
e
c
b
9. (2) As we have seen, invitations often contain quite old-
fashioned, formal language.
Using words from the box, fill the gaps in the common, formal
invitation phrases 1-5.
cordially honour delighted pleasure present
1. We request the ....................... of your company at .......
2. You are ...................... invited to ......
3. We would be ................... if you could join us ...
4. We ask you to be ........................ at...
5. We request the ....................... of your presence …
pleasure
cordially
delighted
present
honour
10.
11. Congolese couples must keep their happiness in check. During their entire
wedding day, from ceremony to reception, the two are not allowed to
______. If they do, it would mean they aren't serious about marriage.
smile
A) smile B) laugh C) wink
12. In China, a prospective husband will shoot his bride with a
_____________ several times, then collects the _______ and breaks
them during the ceremony, to ensure their love lasts forever.
bow and arrow arrows
A) bow and arrow B) toy gun C) water pistol
13. Get that wetsuit ready. In Fiji, when a man asks a woman's father
for her hand in marriage, he must present his future father-in-law
with a ________ tooth. A nice tie would be so much easier!
whale’s
A) Whale’s B) shark’s C) Dolphin’s
14. Centuries ago, England restricted marriage to couples who were _____ and
older. But that didn't stop young lovers from finding a loophole—in this case, a
nearby Scottish town without such limitations. Today, that village, Gretna
Green, is still popular for couples who want to elope.
21
A) 18 B) 21 C) 23
15. Taking the term "groomsman" literally, on his wedding day, a Greek groom's best
man, or "koumparos," becomes his barber when he pulls out a razor and shaves his
pal's face. But the groom's day also has a sweet side. After he's been freshly
shaved, his new mother-in-law will feed him ________________.
honey and almonds
A) Honey and almonds B) strawberries C) ice cream
16. On the day of the wedding, in a ritual called "Joota Chupai," an Indian bride's
mischievous sisters and female cousins steal the groom’s _________ and demand
ransom money for their safe return. That's one way to kick things up a notch!
shoes
A) shoes B) trousers C) socks
17. • How important are birthdays in your country?
• What usually happens? For adults? For
children?
• Are there any birthdays that are more
significant than others in your country? (Not
18)
• How did you celebrate your last birthday?
• Have you ever organised a surprise birthday
party? How easy / difficult was it?
18. Come and(1)____ us at a (2) ______
(3) ___ birthday party for Juliana!
We will be (4) ________ in style at Rico's house,
153 Pitt Street, Sturrock,SK113AE
7.30 pm till (5)_____, Thursday May (6)____
,2012
Look (7)_______ to seeing you there!
(8)_____Rico
M:07795342911
E:rico 99@flymail.com
(3) For more frequent, informal events like birthday parties, we use informal language
in invitations. Fill the gaps 1-8 in this invitation using the words in the box.
celebrating forward 21st 17
join late RSVP surprise
join surprise
21st
celebrating
late 17
forward
RSVP
19. Language note
• The letters RSVP (from the French répondez s'il vous plait) mean 'please
reply'. When you are asked to RSVP, you must respond in writing to the
address written on the invitation.
• It is customary, though not always necessary, to reply using fairly formal
language.
• If you aren't sure what kind of language to use, writing in a similar style to
the invitation is a good idea.
• If the sender gives an email address then it is acceptable to RSVP by
email.
• Note that we use RSVP as both a noun and a verb:
• I've sent my RSVP by post.
• Is it ok to RSVP by email?
20. Get writing
(1) Write an informal email response to Rico's invitation
on page 17. Keep it short and simple.
22. • Look at the two photos you have.
• You need to compare and contrast them.
• You also need to answer the question.
• Describe the photos a little to begin with.
• When you finish your partner will answer a question about
your photos.
• Then you change roles.
23. • Why do people
attend these
events?
• Which event
would you
rather attend?
• Now answer
your partner’s
question.
24. • How are these
events celebrated
in your country?
• When did you last
attend one of
these
celebrations?
• Now answer your
partner’s
question.
25.
26. 1. Which word in RSVP 1 means to take part in something?
2. Which word in RSVP 1 refers to a meal without meat or fish?
3. Which word in RSVP 2 means changing to a new home?
4. Which words in RSVP 2 refer to a casual outdoor party?
5. Which word in RSVP 3 expresses sadness over something?
6. Which word in RSVP 3 is a celebration for a married couple?
7. Which word in RSVP 4 shows happiness for someone else?
8. Which word in RSVP 4 refers to a formal agreement to get married?
attend
vegetarian
moving
regret
anniversary
congratulations
engagement
garden party
27. (4) Read though the RSVP examples 1-4 below.
Which are formal and which are informal?
(1) Gabriela and Manolo Navarro
will be delighted to attend
the wedding of Fayah Kazmi and Neil McGregor
on Saturday 7 July. vegetarian meals are requested.
(2) Dear Eleni
We are very sad to say that we won't be able to come to your graduation garden
party on 9 June, because we are moving house that day. We would much rather be
celebrating with you than unpacking boxes!
We both hope you have a fantastic day and that the sun shines for you. Well done
on all your hard work. We'll be in touch soon after our house move.
Love and thanks,
Erik and Brigitte
Formal
informal
28. (3) Dear Mr and Mrs L Cervantes,
we regret to say that we will be unable to attend your anniversary
celebrations on 18 January 2012
We send our congratulations and wish you every happiness for the future.
Jacinta and Anil Bhatara
(4) Dear Raxandra and Kristian,
Thanks for the lovely invite to your engagement party.
We’ll definitely be there and can't wait to see you both!
Congratulations guys!
Lots of love,
Damien and Lily
formal
informal
29. Factual Questions (4)
What are the first names of the couple getting married in
RSVP 1?
Fayah and Neil
What date is Eleni's graduation garden party scheduled
for in RSVP 2?
9 June
What are the last names of the couple unable to attend
the anniversary celebrations in RSVP 3?
Bhatara
What is the relationship of the couple sending RSVP 4?
Friends
30. Inference Questions (4)
5. Why won't Erik and Brigitte be able to attend Eleni's
party in RSVP 2?
They are moving house that day.
What meal preference is requested in RSVP 1?
Vegetarian
What event are Raxandra and Kristian celebrating in RSVP
4?
Their engagement
How do Jacinta and Anil feel about missing the
anniversary party in RSVP 3?
Regretful/apologetic / Sad
31. USEFUL TIPS
Many card shops stock printed RSVP cards for larger events
like weddings. These will simply have a space for you to write
your name(s).
However, it is also perfectly acceptable to write your own
RSVP. This gives you an opportunity to make your response
more personal.
Perhaps you might want to explain why you can't attend, or
to describe how excited you are if you can attend.
Always be careful that your RSVP goes to the right person,
especially if, for example, parents are hosting the event.
32. USEFUL TIPS
If you have received an informal invitation, you can reply informally too.
You can use informal phrases like 'can't come' instead of the formal
'cannot attend'.
Formal RSVPs often repeat the full names of the guests, and the time
and date of the event. Informal ones will use first names and often
omit the event details.
Informal RSVPs tend to use the active voice 'We'd like the vegetarian
meal option' rather than the formal passive voice 'The vegetarian
option is requested'.
Informal RSVPS are often longer and less precise, often including more
personal or emotional words and phrases like 'can't wait' or 'lots of
love'.
33. I’m going to describe a situation to you
•You and your partner have been talking
about different celebrations.
•Talk together about the different ones
and discuss how important it is to
celebrate them.
35. (2) Write a friendly, informal response to Fayah and Neil's
invitation on page 16, using the information below to help you.
You are able to attend the wedding ceremony at 2pm.
You are unable to attend the evening reception at Frensham Hall.
You are happy that you have been invited to the wedding.
You are disappointed that you can't attend the party.
You know Fayah and Neil quite well, but you are not close friends.
36. 2. Sample answer:
Dear Fayah and Neil,
We will be delighted to attend your wedding ceremony on Saturday
7 July at 2pm. Unfortunately, we are sad to say that we will not be
able to join you for the celebrations afterwards at Frensham Hall
Hotel. I'm afraid we have made some travel arrangements that we
can't rearrange.
However, we are thrilled to receive an invitation to your big day and
are really looking forward to joining you for (perhaps the most
important part of it!
With warmest wishes,
Jane and Kev Morgan
37. (3) You have been asked to write a formal postal invitation to a
colleague's retirement party. Use the information below to help you.
Name: Professor Alison Hylands
Details: Retiring from Brockwell University's Chemistry Department
after 25 years
Party date: Thursday 9th August 2012 (7pm till late)
Party venue: Rizzo's Italian Restaurant, 31 Byres Lane, Brockwell
Requests: guests should describe any special dietary requirements
(e.g, vegetarian food)
RSVP: to Brian Barker, Brockwell University Chemistry Department
by Thursday 21 August.
38. 9. Sample answer:
Professor Alison Hylands is retiring from Brockwell University's
Chemistry
Department after 25 years' service. You are invited to attend
Professor Hylands's retirement party on Thursday 9 August 2012,
from 7pm until late at Rizzo's Italian Restaurant,
31 Byres Lane, Brockwell
RSVP by Thursday 2 August 2012
(with any dietary requirements) to:
Brian Barker Brockwell University Chemistry Department
A. Honey and almonds B. chocolate and strawberries C. Feta and honey
Holi is not just a festival of colour in Nepal. Holi festival means the end of the cold winter nights in Nepal and arrival of the beautiful spring season where there is greenery all over the nation. It is also known by the name “Festiva of Colours”, “Festival of Spring”, “Fagu Purnima” or the “Festival of Love”. The full moon of late February or the March (Falgun in Nepali calendar) months is the day of Holi every year. Exchanging the colours and spraying colour water on one another is the way of playing Holi.
Holi was celebrated in Nepal and India mostly in the past decades. In recent years it is celebrated in many south Asian countries. It is one of the national festivals of Nepal. The public holiday is given over the nation to celebrate this festival with great joy. It is not just a festival of colours in Nepal it is also a festival to meet relatives, family, friends and loved ones. Similarly, it is a festival to play, laugh, forget and forgive and also to repair the broken relationships. As of 2020 the date of Holi festival is March 9 and 10 and Falgun 26 and 27 on Nepali calendar.
