A1 · Beginner · Errands · 112 words · ~2 min read

📮 Sending a Parcel at the Post Office

Language focus: Present Simple · How much…? & where

Before you read

This story is a straightforward transaction, and it is held together by question words: where, how much. Notice how each question is built, and how the present simple is used for a service that happens the same way every day.

Amir goes to the post office to send a parcel to his sister. There is a short queue, so he waits patiently.

The clerk weighs the box on the scales. “Where is it going?” she asks. “To Spain,” says Amir. “That is six pounds, please.”

Amir pays and fills in a small form with the address. The clerk sends off the parcel. It will arrive abroad next week.

The parcel is quite heavy, so Amir asks about the cheapest option. “Where can I buy stamps?” he adds. “Here at the counter,” says the clerk.

Amir puts the receipt in his pocket. His sister is going to get a nice surprise next week.

Key vocabulary (8 words)

parcelnoun: A package wrapped for posting.
clerknoun: A person who serves customers at a desk.
stampnoun: A small printed paper you stick on post to pay for it.
addressnoun: The details of where a person lives or works.
boxnoun: A container with stiff sides for holding things.
abroadadverb: In or to a foreign country.
heavyadjective: Weighing a lot; difficult to lift.
formnoun: A printed sheet with spaces for information.

Phrasal verbs in this story

send off — To send off means to post or dispatch something.

The grammar in this story

Where for place, How much for price

“Where is it going?” “That is six pounds.” “Where can I buy stamps?” Question words come first in English, before the verb. With be the order is simply where is…; with can it is where can I…. Both patterns appear in this story.

The present simple for services and routines

“The clerk weighs the box.” “The clerk sends off the parcel.” This is what happens at every post office on every day, which is why the present simple is right. Note the -s on weighs and sends because the subject is the clerk.

Fill in and send off are phrasal verbs

Amir fills in a form and the clerk sends off the parcel. The small second word is not optional and not decoration — fill alone means something different, and send off is more natural than send for posting something. Learn phrasal verbs as whole units.

will for a scheduled future arrival

“It will arrive abroad next week.” Here will makes a neutral prediction about a delivery neither person controls. Compare going to in the picnic story, which was about plans people had already made.

Phrases you can reuse today

I would like to send this to Spain.: The opening line at any post office counter.
How much is it to send a parcel?: How much for price; note to send after it.
Where can I buy stamps?: Where can I…? — a very reusable question pattern.
Can I fill in the form here?: Fill in a form; British English also allows fill out.

Comprehension quiz

Where does Amir go?
- The post office
- The bank
- The gym
Show answer
The post office
What does he send?
- A parcel
- Only a letter
- A cake
Show answer
A parcel
The clerk ___ the box.
- opens
- weighs
- hides
Show answer
weighs
Where is the parcel going?
- France
- Spain
- Italy
Show answer
Spain
“Send off” means to…
- post or dispatch
- receive
- lose
Show answer
post or dispatch

Now use it yourself

Reading builds recognition; writing your own sentences is what turns it into something you can actually say. Three short tasks:

Write four questions you would ask at a post office.
Describe a parcel you sent or received. Use the past simple.
Do you write letters or only messages? Answer with a frequency adverb.