exhibition. The work of many artists was on display and the exhibition aroused a lot of public interest. Crowds of people filled the galleries. The pictures were, with a few exceptions, mainly by relatively unknown artists. Many of them were traditional pictures of landscapes and portraits.I particularly liked a picture of an old farmhouse by a stream with a few sheep in a field. The strangest picture I saw was an untitled abstract painting by a well-known modern artist. It consisted of swirls of different colours which had been rubbed into the canvas with the artist's fingers. The picture looked a mess, but was also very effective, attracting a lot of comment.

I couldn't help overhearing what people said, things like?I could paint a picture like that with my eyes shut?or?Look how perfect the sunset is in that painting. I'd love to own a picture like that?, and so on. There is no doubt it was an excellent exhibition because there were so many different styles on display. There was something to suit everyone, but only if you could afford the high prices! (200 words)

Key to Letter writing A possible answer(purpose of letter only))

Thank you so much for your kind invitation to the exhibition,?Ancient Xi'an and the Terracotta Army?,now on at the British Museum in London.I'd love to join you and look forward to seeing you again.I'm particularly interested

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in this exhibition because it has been so well received and I've heard so much about it.It's a unique opportunity to see it.I'll meet you at the entrance to the exhibition at 2.15 on Thursday, 24th.

Lesson 19 A very dear cat 一只贵重的宝贝猫

In a bar one night, Mr. X was talking to a workman who told him that he often worked in Mrs. Ramsay's flat.The workman added that Mrs. Ramsay was wealthy and she lived alone with her cat. Every day, Mr. X stood outside Mrs. Ramsay's block of flats. As the cat took a short walk every evening, he saw that it had regular habits.He found out as much as he could about Mrs. Ramsay and learnt that she loved this cat very much. One evening, as the cat was leaving the block of flats, he kidnapped it. He took the cat to a secret address. During the next three days,he walked past Mrs. Ramsay's flat on several occasions and noticed that no other cat ever appeared. Now he was sure he had the right cat,so he wrote a letter in which he stated his demands. (150 words)

Key to Letter writing A possible answer(body of letter only) I haven't been in touch since I left school.

After passing my exams, I did a two-year course in business studies. At the end of it, I applied for a job with a local building firm and got a job

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immediately.I like it very much because I work in an office,but get out and about a lot as well.I hope to be promoted soon.

Thank you for all your help and advice while I was at school. (80 words)

Lesson 20 Pioneer pilots 飞行员的先驱 My flight across the Channel

It was early morning. I looked around, but there was no sign of Latham, so I decided to go on a test flight first. At 4.15, I took off and flew over Calais for fifteen minutes. When I landed there was still no sign of Latham. At 4.45 I took off again. This time I was determined to fly across the Channel. When I looked down there was no sign of the ship below, which was supposed to be following me, I suddenly felt alone and was worried whether I was flying in the right direction. All I could see was sea and sky. I could feel the high winds against the plane and the engine got very hot. Fortunately, it began to rain and the rain cooled my engine. Suddenly, I could see land ahead. Dover!

I flew over Dover, looking for somewhere to land. I saw a field below and brought the plane down. I was still sitting in the cockpit, hardly able to believe the flight was so successful---- just thirty-seven minutes to cross from Calais---- when a British policeman arrived. He smiled broadly at me and said,?Good morning!?I smiled back and said,?Bonjour!?(200 words)

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Key to Letter writing A possible answer (body of letter only)

I just thought I'd tell you about my first flight!

At this moment, we are flying at 30,000 feet and at five hundred miles an hour. Below I can see a few clouds and miles of countryside. I couldn't imagine it would be so beautiful! I was nervous when the plane took off, but I'm all right now. We'll be arriving at our destination in three hours and forty minutes.

I'll tell you all about the flight when I see you. (80 words)

Lesson 21 Daniel Mendoza 丹尼尔?门多萨 The first fight

The first fight between Humphries and his pupil Mendoza, after a quarrel, was held at Stilton and attracted a lot of attention. At the time, Richard Humphries was the most eminent boxer in England and had many supporters. But the young Mendoza had his supporters, too.

The atmosphere before the fight was electric. Half of the people there made bets on Humphries, the other half bet on Mendoza. When the two fighters entered the ring, there was a lot of shouting and cheering. The referee called both fighters to the middle of the ring, spoke to them and the fight started. At first, both men were very wary. After all, this

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