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IX. Fill the gaps with the correct prepositions.






An artist friend of mine recently presented me …..(1) an enormous portrait of myself completely out …..(2) the blue. It was a real shock which rendered me speechless for several minutes as I fought …..(3) the right thing to say. The portrait was horrendous. I was so concerned not to offend my friend …..(4) revealing my true emotions that I went way …..(5) the top …..(6) vacuous flattery: I simply loved it, the best painting I'd ever seen, I would treasure it forever. I silently knew that I could never live …..(7) it.

But this monstrous caricature moved …..(8) the flat and was here to stay. As I sat and stared …..(9) it (…..(10) me!) it began seriously to disturb me. Was this how I really looked? Did the artist really see me like this? My flatmate said there was something positively evil …..(11) it, and thought the artist must hate me …..(12) a vengeance, while others thought it was a joke.

When I saw the photograph …..(13) which the portrait had been taken, I could vaguely see a resemblance. But I had looked like that only …..(14) the millisecond during which the camera shutter had been open; the artist had captured me …..(15) that form forever. I knew she was not trying …..(16) a literal likeness (the camera had done that, sort of) but was seeking to portray the essence …..(17) my personality, or some characteristic of my inner soul. When I looked at my portrait I expected to recognize some part of me, but all I saw was this vile lump.

The problem I faced was what to do when the artist came …..(18) to the flat. …..(19) declaring dishonestly how much I loved it, how would I be able to explain its absence from my walls? How would she attract new commissions (which she desperately needed) if it wasn't prominently displayed? How could I say I was so attached …..(20) it that I'd had to put it in the attic for future generations to find? Or should I bring it …..(21) just before her visit? Supposing I forgot one time? I would have to live that lie forever. That fear destroyed our friendship.

Now it has happened again. Another friend has just changed careers and taken …..(22) painting. I thought it my duty to support and encourage her (as good friends do). She suggested I commission her to paint a picture of my mother's house, as I was stuck …..(23) a present for her birthday. When it eventually arrived it was a real horror. I knew my mother would hate it. It was totally unsympathetic …..(24) the feel and character of the little country cottage, all overgrown …..(25) rambling wild roses.

This friend had been …..(26) the cottage …..(27) many occasions and I thought she had shared …..(28) its tranquil and timeless atmosphere. But she had chosen to portray it as a shocking confusion of violent and clashing colour. I tried to be objective and judge it as a work …..(29) art, but it was too personal; however I looked at it, it was my mother's home and the place where I had spent an idyllic childhood. I felt it was insensitive and insulting.

The dreaded moment came when she asked me what I'd thought of it. I um'd and ah'd and played …..(30) time. I really tried to like it so that my critical appraisal could gush …..(31) sincerity. As I had been in this situation before, I was determined to be honest this time and not get tied …..(32) in knots of deceit. Then my friend asked me whether my mother liked the painting. I said I thought so, that it already had pride of place …..(33) on the wall. This was hardly critical, but not effervescent …..(34) praise either. She immediately went into a massive sulk that unleashed a string of pent-…..(35) emotions about what a bad friend I was. She hasn't spoken to me since.







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