【正确答案】【参考范文】
Dear Tom,
How is everything going? I am indeed very sorry that I missed your birthday party yesterday and now I want you to know what happened.
My father suddenly became ill yesterday morning.So I took him to the doctor and the doctor said he should stay in hospital for five days.My mother has gone abroad and she will be back in seven days.Therefore, I have to stay there to look after him.
I sincerely hope you can accept my apologies and understand my situation.Please wait to receive the surprising gift on your birthday which I have posted.Best wishes!
Sincerely yours,Li Ke

【答案解析】这是一篇应用文，要求写一封道歉信。写作要求只给出了大体的框架，因此具有很大的开放性。此类信件的关键是用词准确，表达真诚。在写作时可以根据提示的要求按照三段式的模式布局谋篇：
　　第一段：开门见山，说明写信目的。
　　第二段：主要陈述因何事需要向对方道歉，应尽量描述事情的经过。写信时应注意在申述理由时要照顾读信人的感受，切忌强词夺理。
　　第三段：再次表示歉意，并希望得到对方的原谅，也可以提出补救的方法。