Notes to the text:

to live without smth - обходиться без…;

making incomprehensible lines and spots – создание непонятных линий и пятен;

which are supposed to be letters – которые, как полагают, являются буквами (в данном предложении используется Infinitive Subject, подменяющий собой использование сложного предложения);

won’t be able to send – не сможете отправить (won’t = will not);

to be out of order – выходить из строя;

the name given to unsolicited e-mail messages – название, данное нежелательным электронным сообщениям;

the habitual way of association – привычный способ общения;

nothing but positive – только положительны;

taking as much time as you need – затрачивая столько времени, сколько необходимо.

Tasks for the text:

1. Put the necessary word into the sentence:

1) E-mail gives us … to express our feelings with the help of the signs. 2) E-mail is the ... way of association. 3) Even … can send e-mail messages. 4) You have also the possibility to book … by e-mail. 5) Little by little we forget the handwriting of our … and relatives. 6). E-mail brings us lots of useless …7) Every employer… his mail having just entered his office in the morning without putting his coat off. 8) We could mention the possibility of … information by e-mail very quickly wherever we are.

2. Complete the sentences using words from the text or words with the appropriate meaning:

1) E-mail doesn’t require … 2) E-mail helps you to get … 3) You can make the message more expressive by … 4) If your e-mail address is out of order … 5) If you didn’t pay for the Internet in time … 6) If you communicate with a foreigner and don’t have enough skills to speak and write quickly … 7) The loss of the ability to write is the first negative fact that is often given to … 8) You can write an e-mail message when you want, taking as much time …

3. Match the questions with their replies:

№	question	reply
1	What does the e-mail messaging need?	We cannot live without e-mail today.
2	Who can send e-mail messages?	It is spam.
3	What can’t we live without today?	Even a child can send e-mail messages.
4	What is possible by e-mail?	He checks his mail.
5	Why is it comfortable to communicate with a foreigner by e-mail?	You have the possibility to book hotels, plane tickets and get “fresh” news.
6	What does every employer do first when he comes into his office?	If you didn’t pay for the Internet in time.
7	What is the name of useless information?	You can write when you want, taking as much time as you need and correct all the mistakes.
8	When can’t you send an e-mail message?	It needs the Internet connection.

4. Fill in the table with the words or word expressions from the text:

Good and bad points of using e-mail

№	good points	bad points
1	…….	necessity of the Internet connection
2	booking hotels and plane ….
3	buying books and ….
4	requiring no additional knowledge and skills except for...	……
5	association	paying for the Internet in time
6	……..
7	expressing ….	the loss of …
8	sending greetings

5. There are a lot of definitions what the e-mail is. For example: “e-mail is something we cannot live without today”, “e-mail is a system for sending and receiving messages electronically over a computer network”, and so one. Give your own definition to this term.

6. Write an e-mail to your boss; ask him (her) how you should send the required information. There is an example:

Dear Mr. White,