结构要点：

　　致歉信是向收信人表示歉意的信件，包括三个部分：

　　1. 说明为何事而致歉;

　　2. 解释造成过失或不能履约的原因;

　　3. 再次致歉或提出解决方案。

　　Directions 9

　　Suppose you cannot attend your sister graduation ceremony as expected for some reason. Write a letter in about 100 words to make an apology to her. Do not sign your own name at the end of your letter， using Li Ming instead.

　　Sample：

　　Dear Linda，

　　Kindly excuse me for my not being able to attend your graduation ceremony next Wednesday as I have promised.

　　You know， there will be a meeting of great importance to my company next week in Nanjing. But the person who was originally appointed to it is now seriously ill in hospital. And I have been asked to take his place to attend the meeting and make a speech on behalf of my company. On the one hand， it is a task assigned by my boss out of his trust in me. On the other hand， I do regard it as an opportunity to both display and enhance my abilities. So I am afraid I cannot be present at your graduation ceremony.

　　Though I have decided to send you a gift to celebrate your graduation， I really regret that I cannot give you my sincere congratulations on the spot， for I know any gift can never parallel a warm word spoken personally by a family member. I do feel terribly sorry. Please forgive me.

　　Cordially，

　　Li Ming

　　常见词组：

　　originate in/from 起源于，来自，产生

　　participate in 参与，参加

　　preside t/over 主持，主管

　　prevail over 获胜，占优势

　　prevail on/upon 说服，劝说，诱使

　　reconcile to 使顺从(于)，使甘心(于)

　　reign to 使顺从

　　restrain from 抑制，制止

　　sacrifice to 牺牲，献出，献祭，供奉

　　scrape by/through 勉强通过

　　specialize in 专攻，专门研究

　　testify to 表明，证明

　　flare up 突然燃烧起来;突然发怒

　　queue up 排成队(等候)

　　dissatisfaction with/at 不满

　　exposure to 暴露，显露;曝光

　　objection to 反对，异议

　　preference for/to 偏爱，喜爱;优惠;优先选择

　　proficiency in 熟练，精通

　　requirement for/to 需要，需要的东西，要求

　　thirst for 渴望，热望

　　by comparison 比较起来

　　in sequence 依次，逐一

　　at stake 在危急关头，在危险中

　　in accordance with 与...一致，依照，根据

　　on/in behalf of 代表，为了

　　on the sly 偷偷地

　　in excess of 超过

　　to and for 来来回回

　　on schedule 按时间表，及时，准时