TOPIC 14 OF 25
At the Post Office
How to send mail, ship packages, and use USPS services in the United States
Part 1: Dictionary • Part 2: Dialogue • Part 3: Article
PART 1 | COMPREHENSIVE DICTIONARY
21 essential vocabulary terms with definitions and context sentences
Context: Sending mail, packages, money orders, and using United States Postal Service (USPS) services
1. USPS (United States Postal Service) (noun)
Definition: The federal government agency responsible for delivering mail and packages across the U.S.
Example: “She mailed the package through USPS because it was the most affordable option.”
2. Priority Mail (noun)
Definition: A USPS shipping service that typically delivers in 1–3 business days and includes free tracking.
Example: “She chose Priority Mail to get the birthday gift to Texas within three days.”
3. First-Class Mail (noun)
Definition: Standard mail for letters and small packages, typically delivered in 1–5 days.
Example: “She sent the birthday card by First-Class Mail for just $0.68.”
4. Priority Mail Express (noun)
Definition: A guaranteed overnight or 2-day USPS delivery service.
Example: “She used Priority Mail Express to send the legal documents that were needed the next morning.”
5. Certified Mail (noun)
Definition: A USPS service providing a mailing receipt and electronic verification of delivery.
Example: “Her attorney recommended sending the dispute letter via Certified Mail for legal proof.”
6. Return Receipt (noun)
Definition: An add-on service that provides a signed confirmation card once mail is delivered.
Example: “She added Return Receipt to her certified letter to confirm the company had received it.”
7. Tracking number (noun)
Definition: A unique code used to monitor the location and delivery status of a package.
Example: “She texted her mother the tracking number so she could follow the package online.”
8. Money order (noun)
Definition: A prepaid document similar to a check, used as a secure payment method.
Example: “Her landlord required rent to be paid by money order or cashier’s check each month.”
9. PO Box (noun)
Definition: A rented, numbered mailbox at a post office used to receive mail.
Example: “She rented a PO Box for her small business to keep business and personal mail separate.”
10. Postage (noun)
Definition: The cost of sending a piece of mail, paid through stamps or metered labels.
Example: “She purchased a book of stamps to have enough postage for holiday cards.”
11. Package (noun)
Definition: A wrapped or boxed item sent through the mail.
Example: “The package she ordered online arrived three days after the tracking showed it had shipped.”
12. Flat Rate (noun)
Definition: A USPS pricing structure where a fixed price is charged regardless of package weight, for boxes that fit in specific USPS envelopes or boxes.
Example: “She used a flat rate box because the contents were heavy but would fit inside the standard envelope.”
13. Customs form (noun)
Definition: A document required for international mail that describes the contents and value of the package.
Example: “She filled out a customs form when sending clothing to her family in Mexico.”
14. Delivery confirmation (noun)
Definition: Notification from the postal service that a package or letter has been delivered.
Example: “She received a delivery confirmation email the moment her package was delivered to her sister.”
15. Hold mail (phrase)
Definition: A service that stops mail delivery temporarily, such as during travel.
Example: “She put a hold mail request online before leaving for a two-week vacation.”
16. Change of address (noun)
Definition: A form submitted to forward mail from an old address to a new one.
Example: “She submitted a change of address form at the post office when she moved to the new apartment.”
17. Metered mail (noun)
Definition: Mail with postage printed by a postage meter machine instead of stamps.
Example: “Her employer used a postage meter to print metered mail for all outgoing business letters.”
18. Registered Mail (noun)
Definition: The most secure USPS service, with signatures required at each point of handling.
Example: “She sent her passport application by Registered Mail for maximum security.”
19. Parcel (noun)
Definition: Another word for a package or wrapped item sent by mail.
Example: “A notice in her mailbox told her a parcel was waiting at the post office.”
20. Fragile label (noun)
Definition: A sticker placed on packages containing breakable items to signal careful handling.
Example: “She put a fragile label on the box of dishes she was mailing to her brother.”
21. Signature required (phrase)
Definition: A delivery instruction requiring the recipient’s signature before the package can be left.
Example: “Her medication shipment was sent with signature required to ensure it reached her directly.”
TOPIC 14 — AT THE POST OFFICE
PART 2 | REAL-LIFE DIALOGUE
A realistic conversation demonstrating key communication in this situation
Setting: Shipping a package and asking about services
Key Phrases: Certified mail • Priority mail • Tracking number • Money order
Postal Clerk: Next in line please! Hi there, how can I help you today?
Customer: Hi! I need to send this package to my family in Texas. I’d like it to get there in about three days if possible.
Clerk: Sure! Let’s weigh it… Okay, it’s 3 pounds 4 ounces. For three days, you’d want Priority Mail. That would be $14.50 and it comes with free tracking.
Customer: Does Priority Mail guarantee three days?
Clerk: It’s our expected delivery time, not a guarantee. For a guarantee, you’d need Priority Mail Express, which is overnight or two days. That’s $48 for this weight.
Customer: No, three days is fine — it’s just gifts for my nephew. I’ll do Priority. Does it come with a tracking number?
Clerk: Yes, automatically. I’ll give you a receipt with the tracking number so you can follow it online or on the USPS app.
Customer: Great. I also need to send a legal document to a government office and I need proof that they received it. What do I use for that?
Clerk: That’s Certified Mail with Return Receipt. It gives you a signature confirmation from the recipient. Very important for legal documents.
Customer: Perfect. And I also wanted to get a money order. Can I do that here too?
Clerk: Absolutely. How much for the money order?
Customer: $300, please. It’s for my landlord — he only accepts money orders, not personal checks.
Clerk: Very common! That’s $1.65 fee plus the $300. Your total for everything today comes to $16.15 for the Priority package, $4.35 for certified mail, and $301.65 for the money order.
Language Notes
Priority Mail comes with tracking. Use Certified Mail with Return Receipt for legal or important documents. Money orders are a safe alternative to personal checks.
TOPIC 14 — AT THE POST OFFICE
PART 3 | INFORMATIONAL ARTICLE
How to send mail, ship packages, and use USPS services in the United States | CEFR B1 Level
Key Vocabulary: USPS • Priority Mail • Certified Mail • tracking number • money order
The United States Postal Service (USPS)
The United States Postal Service, commonly called USPS or “the post office,” is the federal government agency responsible for mail and package delivery across the country. It is one of the largest postal systems in the world, serving every address in America — including rural areas that private carriers sometimes do not reach.
Post offices are located in nearly every neighborhood and are typically open Monday through Friday 9 AM to 5 PM and Saturday 9 AM to 1 PM. There are also self-service kiosks at many locations that are available 24 hours a day for common transactions like buying stamps and weighing packages.
In addition to the post office, USPS has a user-friendly website (usps.com) where you can buy postage, schedule package pickups from your home, track shipments, and manage your mail. The USPS app on your smartphone makes these tasks even more convenient.
Mail Services and Delivery Times
USPS offers several different mail services at different price points and speeds. First-Class Mail is the standard service for letters and small packages. A standard letter costs about $0.68 to send and typically takes 1 to 5 days to arrive.
Priority Mail is faster — typically 1 to 3 business days — and includes free tracking. It is priced by weight and distance. Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes allow you to ship any weight that fits in a specific USPS box for a fixed price, which is great value for heavy items.
Priority Mail Express is the fastest USPS service — overnight or 2-day delivery with a money-back guarantee. It is more expensive but provides the most reliable delivery date. Media Mail is a very affordable option specifically for books, CDs, DVDs, and educational materials.
When shipping internationally, options include First-Class Package International, Priority Mail International, and Priority Mail Express International. International shipping requires a customs form describing the contents and their value.
Certified Mail and Return Receipt
For legal documents, government correspondence, or anything where you need proof of delivery, Certified Mail is the right choice. When you send something by Certified Mail, you receive a receipt with a tracking number that proves you mailed it. The recipient must sign for the package, and this signature is recorded by USPS.
Adding Return Receipt to Certified Mail provides even more documentation — you receive a postcard (or an electronic record) showing who signed for the package, the date it was delivered, and their signature. This is valuable evidence if there is ever a dispute about whether something was received.
Certified Mail with Return Receipt is commonly used when sending: dispute letters to credit card companies, legal notices, immigration documents, rental move-out notices, and anything that requires documented proof of delivery. It costs a few dollars more than regular mail but can be invaluable if documentation is ever needed.
Money Orders
A money order is a prepaid financial instrument similar to a check. You pay the face value (the amount written on the money order) plus a small fee (usually $1.65 at USPS). The recipient can then cash or deposit it at a bank or financial institution.
Money orders are useful when you want to make a payment but do not have a check and the recipient will not accept cash — for example, paying rent or sending money to someone in another city. They are also safer than sending cash in the mail, because a money order can only be cashed by the named recipient.
USPS money orders are widely accepted and considered very reliable. To purchase one at the post office, tell the postal clerk the amount and pay with cash (most post offices do not accept credit cards for money orders). Keep the receipt — you will need it if the money order is lost or stolen.
Tracking Packages and Hold Mail
Every Priority Mail package and many other USPS services include a tracking number — a unique code that lets you monitor your package’s journey from origin to destination. You can track packages on usps.com, through the USPS mobile app, or by texting the tracking number to 28777 (2USPS).
When tracking shows “out for delivery,” your package should arrive by the end of that business day. If tracking shows “delivered” but you did not receive your package, first check with neighbors and building management (it may have been left with them), then contact USPS to file a missing mail search.
If you are going on vacation or will be away for more than a few days, you can place a Hold Mail request with USPS. They will hold all your mail at the post office until you return, then deliver it all at once. You can request this online at usps.com or in person at your post office, and it is free.
If you move to a new address, submit a change of address form with USPS to have your mail forwarded. This costs $1.10 to verify your identity online, or is free in person at the post office. Mail forwarding lasts 12 months for regular mail.
Packaging Tips for Shipping
Proper packaging protects your items during shipping and can prevent costly damage. Use a sturdy box that is the right size for your items — if there is too much empty space, the contents can shift and break. Fill empty spaces with packing materials like bubble wrap, crumpled paper, or foam peanuts.
Seal the box securely with packing tape on all seams, especially the top and bottom. Do not use masking tape, regular tape, or string — they can come off during transit. Write the delivery address clearly and include the return address in case the package cannot be delivered.
If you are shipping something fragile, put the “Fragile” label on the box and pack it carefully — the label alerts handlers, though it is not a guarantee. For valuable or irreplaceable items, consider purchasing shipping insurance, which covers the item’s value if it is lost or damaged.
USPS offers free Priority Mail packaging materials — boxes, envelopes, and padded envelopes — available at the post office or ordered free from usps.com. You can only use these materials with Priority Mail service.
Quick Tips: Post Office Tips
• Use Certified Mail with Return Receipt for legal documents — it proves they were received.
• Track packages with the USPS app or text your tracking number to 28777.
• Use a USPS money order for rent and other payments when a check is not available.
• Submit a Hold Mail request online before travel so your mail is safe.
• Free Priority Mail boxes are available at the post office — take some home for future shipments.
About the Author
