📝 Lesson Practice
🗣️ English Goal
explain a problem with missing items in a shipment and suggest practical solutions
💼 Workplace Goal
understand and practise how to report missing items in logistics shipments clearly and professionally
💭 Warm-Up Question
Have you ever found something missing in a delivery or shipment at work?
📖 Short Reading
Last week, the warehouse team received a shipment from a supplier. When they checked the boxes, they found that 10 items were missing. The shipment was supposed to have 200 items in total. The supplier said the missing items were probably left in their factory by mistake. Because of this, the warehouse could not complete the orders for some customers. The logistics manager called the supplier to report the problem. The supplier promised to send the missing items in the next shipment. Meanwhile, the warehouse team told the sales department about the delay. They also suggested a temporary solution: to use similar products from stock to complete urgent orders. This solution helped avoid more delays for customers. Later, the warehouse updated all the teams about the new delivery date for the missing items. Everyone agreed it was important to check shipments carefully to avoid missing items in the future.
🔎 Check Your Understanding
1.
Why were 10 items missing from the shipment?
2.
What was the consequence of the missing items?
3.
What temporary solution did the warehouse suggest?
4.
What is important to avoid missing items in the future?
📚 Key Vocabulary
| Word or phrase | Simple meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| shipment | a group of goods sent from one place to another | The shipment arrived late and some items were missing. |
| missing items | products or goods that are not found in the shipment | We found five missing items in the delivery. |
| supplier | a company or person who provides goods | The supplier said they would resend the missing items. |
| warehouse team | workers who receive, store, and handle goods in a storage place | The warehouse team noticed the missing boxes during checking. |
| report a problem | tell someone about an issue or mistake | Please report a problem if you find missing items. |
| delivery delay | when a shipment or delivery arrives later than planned | The missing items caused a delivery delay. |
| temporary solution | a short-term fix to a problem | Using similar products is a temporary solution until the missing items arrive. |
| check carefully | look closely to find any problems or mistakes | Always check carefully when you receive shipments. |
| complete an order | finish preparing products to send to a customer | We need all items to complete the order on time. |
| update | give new or current information | Notify the team to update them about the missing items. |
💬 Useful Language
reporting a problem:
We found some items missing in the shipment.
asking for clarification:
Can you confirm how many items are missing?
explaining a cause:
The supplier missed these items during packing.
explaining a consequence:
Because of the missing items, some orders are delayed.
suggesting a solution:
We could use products from our stock to complete urgent orders.
following up professionally:
Please update me when the missing items are shipped.
💬 Dialogue
🙂 Alex: Hi Sam, I checked the last shipment, and some items are missing.
😀 Sam: How many items are missing, Alex?
🙂 Alex: There are 10 items missing from the 200 we expected.
😀 Sam: Do you know why they are missing?
🙂 Alex: The supplier said they might have left them at their factory by mistake.
😀 Sam: That causes a problem because we cannot complete some customer orders.
🙂 Alex: Yes, I told sales about the delay, and I suggested we use similar products in stock for now.
😀 Sam: Good idea. Did you ask the supplier when they will send the missing items?
🙂 Alex: Yes, they promised to include them in the next shipment next week.
😀 Sam: Please update me when that shipment arrives so we can check everything carefully.
✏️ Exercise 1 – Fill in the Blanks
1.
We should ____ the supplier about the missing items immediately. (ignore / complain / call)
2.
The warehouse team must ____ the shipment carefully before accepting it. (check / deliver / load)
3.
Because some items were missing, the order could not be ____ on time. (cancel / complete / delay)
4.
Can you ____ how many items are missing from the shipment? (agree / suggest / confirm)
5.
We suggested a ____ solution by using similar products from stock. (temporary / final / incorrect)
6.
Please ____ me when the missing items arrive at the warehouse. (refuse / update / follow)
🔗 Exercise 2 – Matching
1.
Missing items
2.
Temporary solution
3.
Report a problem
4.
Check carefully
5.
Delivery delay
✅ Exercise 3 – Multiple Choice
1.
What should you do first when you find missing items in a shipment?
2.
Which phrase is useful to suggest a solution for missing items?
3.
How can you ask for more information about missing items politely?
4.
What is a good follow-up phrase after reporting missing items?
5.
Which consequence may happen if missing items are not reported?
🧩 Mini Practice
Practice answering aloud.
Say: We found some items missing in the shipment.
Say: Can you confirm how many items are missing?
Say: Because of the missing items, some orders are delayed.
Say: Please update me when the missing items are shipped.
Ask: What should you do if you find missing items in a shipment?
Say: I should report the problem to my supervisor and contact the supplier to ask about the missing items.
Ask: How can you suggest a solution if some items are missing and orders must be completed?
Say: I can suggest using similar products from stock temporarily to finish urgent orders.
💼 Workplace Action
Practice writing a short message to report missing items in a shipment using a fictional order number and item details.
📝 Reflection
Why is it important to report missing items clearly and quickly in logistics? Give an example from your own experience or imagine a situation.
🧭 Lesson Summary
You have learned how to explain problems with missing items in shipments. You can now ask for details and suggest practical solutions. You can report missing items clearly and follow up professionally.
🔎 Answer Key
Check Your Understanding
- They were left by mistake at the supplier's factory.
- Some customer orders could not be completed on time.
- Use similar products from stock to complete urgent orders.
- To check shipments carefully when they arrive.
Exercise 1 – Fill in the Blanks
- call
- check
- complete
- confirm
- temporary
- update
Exercise 2 – Matching
- Missing items – Goods not found in the shipment
- Temporary solution – A short-term fix for a problem
- Report a problem – Tell someone about an issue
- Check carefully – Look closely to find mistakes or issues
- Delivery delay – Shipment arriving later than planned
Exercise 3 – Multiple Choice
- Report the problem to your supervisor or supplier.
- We could use products from stock to finish orders.
- Can you confirm how many items are missing?
- Please update me when the items are shipped.
- Customer orders may be delayed or incomplete.