Lesson 9

A. Write an e-mail to an English friend describing a film you saw recently. Use the notes and the words in the box to help you.

• From: Saif
• To: John
• Subject: The Gladiator

Hi John,

How are you, I'm OK.

The Babylon International Festival is on so there's lots to do at the moment.

I've just been to the cinema. I saw a film called The Gladiator started in it.

Have you seen it? I thought it was really exciting.

It's about a farmer-turned-solider by the name of Maximus Meridius (played by Russell crowe) is one of the top generals in the Roman army.

He leads his men to many victories and gains the support from the masses and even the Roman Emperor.

The best when the emperor is dying, and because he trusts Maximus over his only son, the emperor appoints temporary leadship to Maximus in order to return the power to the Senate.

The end of the film was really interesting because Maximus later survives an indirect attack on his life when he is forced into a match against the "only undefeated champion in Roman History".

It's time to go to bed, so I have to stop now! My family send their best wishes.

Hope to hear from you soon.

B. Choose one of the events on the programme (C) on Student's Book page 13. Imagine you went to it. Write an e-mail to an English friend describing it. Write about 150 words.

• From: Sara
• To: Sandra
• Subject: Hamlet

Hi, how are you? I'm OK.

I'm writing to tell you about Shakespeare's Hamlet.

Last night I saw this play in the Babylon International Festival. The play directed by the Iraqi director and actor Sami Abdul-Hameed.

I saw some of it That it's very long play.

This section that I saw is dedicated to Hamlet, the picture is 18th century and image displayed represents the essence of the play which, we hope, will bring to life a famous scene or character from the play.

As you know about the play, prince Hamlet mourns both his father's death and his mother, Queen Gertrude's remarriage to Claudius has poisoned him.

Hamlet swears revenge. He arranges an old play whose story has a parallel to that of Claudius.

Hamlet's behavior is considered mad.

He kills the eavesdropping Polonius, the court chamberlain, by thrusting his sword through a curtain.

Polonius's son Laertes returns to Denmark to avenge his father's death. Polonius's daughter Ophelia dies by drowning.

A duel takes place and ends with the death of Gertrude, Laertes, Claudius, and Hamlet.

Hope to hear from you soon.