Peter: Not really, Amy. It seemed that the director was just trying hard to impress us with strange close-ups and special sound effects, but he forgot to include a good story.

Amy: The movie made you think. It was different from the superficial dialogs you usually see in films these days.

Peter: But the movie seemed to be too dark and sad. Why does a movie have to be sad to be deep?

Amy: But it is better than some violent movies with nothing but gunfights and exploding cars. I prefer thought-provoking movies. Peter: Sometimes you don't want to think. You just want light-hearted movies. By the way, did you see the new mystery movie shown at the local cinema yesterday?

Amy: Oh, it was so suspenseful. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time.

Peter: I loved it too. The plot was great, and the acting was unbelievable.

Amy: Now we've found something in common. I guess we can watch mysteries together in the future.

Peter did not really like the movie because the director was just using strange close-ups and special sound effects, but did not include a good story. Amy enjoyed the movie because it made people think. Peter disagrees, saying a movie does not have to be sad to be deep. Amy argues that it is better than some violent movies. Still, Peter thinks sometimes people don't want to think and just want light-hearted movies. Finally Peter and Amy found something in common. They both liked the new mystery movie, so they can watch mysteries together in the future.

Task 2: An actor forgetting his line

There was once a great actor who could no longer remember his lines. After several years of searching, he finally found a theater that was willing to give him a try. The director said, “This is the most important part, and it has only one line. At the opening you walk onto stage carrying a rose. You hold the rose to your nose with just one finger and thumb, smell it deeply and then say the line on praise of the rose: ?Ah, the sweet smell of my love.?” The actor was excited. All day long before the play he practiced his line over and over again. Finally, the time came.

The curtain went up, the actor walked onto the stage, looked at the audience, and with great emotion said the line, “Ah, the sweet smell of my love.” The audience exploded in laughter. Only the director was furious! “Ahhhhhh! You damned fool!” he cried. “You?ve ruined my play! You?ve ruined me!” The actor was puzzled, “What happened? Did I forget my line?” “No!” shouted the director. “You forget the rose!”

1.D 2.C 3.D 4.A 5.B

Task 3: The Academy Awards

The Academy Awards, popularly known as the Oscars, are presented every year by the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to recognize excellent professionals in the film industry, including directors, actors, and writers.

The formal ceremony at which the awards are presented is one of the most important award ceremonies in the world. It is televised live in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and gathers large numbers of viewers elsewhere throughout the world. This year's ceremony was watched by more than 40 million Americans. It is said that only the Super Bowl, the Olympic Opening Ceremonies, and the Football World Cup Final draw more viewers in the United Sates.

However, the Academy Awards are not without criticism. It has been observed that several of the Academy Award winners have not stood the test of time. Critics claim that many films with artistic value, cultural influence and innovative qualities have not received enough attention. Since the 1980s, money-making blockbusters have often been Best Picture winners, but they are not necessarily great films with depth. The Academy Awards have also been criticized for favoring certain types of films and neglecting other types. The Best Picture prize has rarely been given to an animated film or a science fiction film, with Avatar as an exception

The Academy Awards or the Oscars

recognize excellent professionals in the film industry, including directors, actors, and writers The Award Ceremony

?

one of the most important award ceremonies in the world

?

televised live in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and gathering large numbers of viewers elsewhere throughout the world

? ?

watched by more than 40 million Americans

Only the Super Bowl, the Olympic Opening Ceremonies, and the Football World Cup Final draw more viewers. Criticism

?

Several of the Academy Award winners have not stood the test of time. ?

Many films with artistic value, cultural influence, and innovative qualities have not received enough attention.

?

Money-making blockblusters without depth have often been Best Picture winners.

?

The Oscars favor certain types of films and neglect other types. The Best Picture prize has rarely been given to an animated film or a science fiction film.

?

IV. Speaking Out

Model 1 Will you come with me?

John: Laura, I am wondering if you?re free tomorrow night. Laura: Well, I guess I am. Why?

John: I?ve got two Star Wars premiere tickets. Will you come with me?

Laura: Yeah, definitely! Thanks for inviting me! John: It?s my pleasure.

Laura: I really wanted to see Star Wars on the opening night, but the tickets were sold out. How did you manage to get hold of them?

John: A friend of mine works at the “Pepsi” headquarters, which is a major sponsor of the movie. So he was able to get the tickets for free. Laura: Wow, people are paying as much as $200 each on the black market. I?m flattered you went through all this trouble just for me.

John: You?re welcome. Now Your Turn SAMPLE DIALOG

A: Hi, are you busy this weekend? B: Yes. What?s on your mind?

A: I?ve got two tickets for the car exhibition. Would you like to go with me?

B: Sure. Thanks for your invitation. A: It?s nothing.

B: I?ve been wanting to see exhibition, but it was not at all easy to get a ticket. How did you manage to get two tickets?

A: A friend of mine works at the exhibition center. She was able to get three free tickets.

B: Wow, people are paying almost 100 yuan for a ticket on the black market. Thank you very much indeed for inviting me.

A: No problem.

Model 2 What did you think about the movie? John: So… what did you think about the movie?

Laura: Well… I think this Star Wars episode is an excellent piece of work, but not as good as the

previous ones.

John: Really? But I think this Star Wars episode was incredible! Laura: Why do you think so?

John: Well, one of the most spectacular things about it was the special effects. State-of-the-art

special effects were the main reason for the success of the previous episodes.