Making an apology is not the same as making amends. Sometimes we apologize just because it’s the easiest thing to do. What’s actually important is to identify where we go wrong, take full responsibility for our mistakes and , if possible, try to make up for them.
A recent case involving Hewlett-Packed, the US computer giant, shows the importance of presenting a sincere apology. The Chinese consumers who had bought notebook computers of certain models, which have been put on Chinese market since 2007, suffered a massive flash screen failures and overheating problems. Through investigation, Chinese AQSIQ (国家质检总局) identified these HP computers had quality problems and HP admitted this. HP made a proposal that they would extend the warranty (保修) period of such computers, but this could not satisfied the consumers. What they needed was a thorough description of the truth. HP has “sincerely” apologized. But the consumers remain angry, and say that only a product recall — as HP has done in the past — will prove that the apology is sincere.
Another apology that fell flat on its face was that of Thierry Henry, the famous French footballer. His deliberate handball in November 2009 created the goal which knocked Ireland out of the 2010 World Cup. The incident caused great anger in the football world, and eventually Henry issued an apology. Two days later, he wrote, “I’m not the referee…but if I hurt someone I’m sorry.” Better late than never, perhaps, but even then he passed the blame onto the referee!
Such high-profile cases, which attract a lot of publicity often under the spotlight, but similar incidents occur in our everyday lives. Stress caused by schoolwork and tiredness can sometimes result in outbursts of anger against friends and family. Have you ever lost your temper for minor reasons? After calming down, most people are quick to realize their mistake and apologize. But it’s just as important to identify what caused the error in the first place and take action to ensure it doesn’t happen again.
No one should hold a negative attitude to making a sincere apology. Empty words are easy to say, but they are as useless as they sound. A real show of remorse（痛悔;自责）demands hard work and commitment to put error right. What does the author intend to tell us in the case of HP?
| A．A true apology needs sincere actions. |
| B．HP should recall all the faulty computers. |
| C．Good quality makes a good company. |
| D．A company should apologize and pay for their mistakes. |
According to the author, when we do anything wrong we firstly _________.
| A．make an apology face to face honestly |
| B．admit we were wrong and try to make the wrong right |
| C．take the responsibility for apologizing to others |
| D．choose the easiest thing to do |
We can infer from the case of Thierry Henry that _________ .
| A．it’s never too late to say “I’m sorry.” |
| B．writing an apology is not a good idea |
| C．Henry didn’t identify his fault. |
| D．the football fans were mad with Henry. |
Which of the following can best explain the word “commitment” in the last paragraph?
| A．Decision. | B．Promise. | C．Agreement. | D．Responsibility. |
What’s the best title of this passage?
| A．What really puts things right |
| B．Don’t apologize easily |
| C．Making an apology — no one is out of exception |
| D．How to judge an apology — sincere enough? |
It was a quiet village in which there was a military camp. It was far from the towns and cities and there were some high mountains around. Of course it was a good place for training the new soldiers. But it was difficult for the young men to go outside. Mr. White, an officer of forty, was strict with them and he hardly let them leave the camp.
Once Mr. White was ill in bed. He couldn’t work and a young officer, Mr. Hunt, began to train the new soldiers instead of him. He knew the young men well and let nine soldiers go to the nearest town to have a holiday. But night fell and none came back to the camp. He was worried about it and stood at the gate. It was five to twelve when Mr. Hunt decided to go to the town and see what was happening with the young men. He started the car quickly and set off. At that moment the nine soldiers came back. It seemed they were all drunk. Of course they found the officer was angry.
“I’m sorry, sir,” said the first soldier. “I left the town on time. But something was wrong with my bus on my way here. I had to buy a horse and made it run fast. Bad luck! It died and I had to run back.”
And the other seven soldiers said they were late for the same reasons. It was the last soldier’s turn. He said, “I’m sorry, sir. I got on a bus on time, but…”.
Having heard this, the officer became even angrier and stopped him at once. He called out, “If you say something was wrong with your bus, I’ll punish you at once!”
“No, no, sir,” said the young man. “My bus was all right, but the dead horses were in its way!”The military camp was built in the village to .
| A．stop the soldiers going to towns |
| B．stop the soldiers meeting their friends |
| C．train the new soldiers |
| D．make the young men live quietly |
Mr. Hunt let the nine soldiers have a holiday because.
| A．he was kind to them. |
| B．they felt lonely. |
| C．they had something important to do |
| D．they were the best of all |
The nine soldiers returned to the camp late because .
| A．something was wrong with their buses |
| B．their horses died on the return way |
| C．it took them much time to run back |
| D．they all had drunk much in the town |
Which answer do you think is right?
| A．The officer believed only the last soldier. |
| B．The officer believed the nine soldiers. |
| C．The officer believed none of the nine soldiers. |
| D．The officer won’t punish his soldiers. |
In every school there is a "top" crowd that sets the pace, while the others follow their lead. For example,the top crowd decides that it is smart to wear bright red sweaters. Very soon everybody is wearing a brightred sweater.
There is nothing wrong with that, except the fact that bright red is not suitable on some peopleat all.
The situation can even become dangerous, if the top crowd decides that it is smart to drink or to drivecars at 70 miles an hour. Then the people who follow the lead are causing danger to people's lives. They arelike sheep being led to the slaughterhouse (屠宰场).
Perhaps you have come across situations like these more than once in your life. In fact, at one time oranother you probably did something you knew to be wrong. You may have excused yourself by saying, "Thecrowd does it." Well, let the crowd do it, but don't do it yourself. Learn to say, "No." Make your own judge(判断). If you know the crowd is planning something with which you disagree, have the courage to leavethem politely. You'll have the satisfaction of standing on your own feet. The writer disapproves of wearing red sweaters if _____.
| A．the crowd is wearing them |
| B．you don't look good in red |
| C．you can't afford them |
| D．your parents disapprove |
The writer urges the readers to ____.
| A．obey their parents |
| B．take the advice of their elders |
| C．be independent |
| D．follow the crowd |
People who blindly follow the "top" crowd ____.
| A．will make themselves happy |
| B．will lose friends |
| C．sometimes do things against their better judgment |
| D．finally become pace-setters in their own right |
The main idea of this passage is that ____.
| A．in every school there is a "top" crowd that sets the pace |
| B．it is a mistake to follow the "top" crowd blindly |
| C．at one time or another you probably did something you knew to be wrong |
| D．people who follow the "top" crowd are endangering their lives |
Which is the best title for this passage?
| A．On Being Yourself. | B．The "Top" Crowd. |
| C．Follow the Leader. | D．Rules for Teens. |
Welcome to Our Clubs in Masonic Village
☆Art Club
The Art Club provides a place for aged people to paint, improve their artistic talents and show their works of art. Members can also sell items that they painted. The money raised goes toward providing painting supplies for club members. Anyone may join the Art Club, whether you already know how to paint or you want to learn how to better express your creativity. Painting supplies are provided by the club for free.
Time: Wednesdays, Thursdays & Sundays from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the Freemasons Cultural Center Art Studio.
Cost: $12 per year
☆Computer Club
This club is meant for aged people with little knowledge of computers. Various topics are discussed at each meeting about computers (such as the Internet, software and email) as well as related technologies. The club has a computer lab with high-speed Internet connection. Members of the club have free access to the computer lab.
Time: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the Computer Resource Room on Level 2 of Smith North. Open general lab sessions are available for free.
Cost: $35 per year
☆Tai Chi for Arthritis
Arthritis is a common disease for old people. The joints (关节) in the patients’ body often hurt badly. Tai Chi for Arthritis is designed to improve the quality of life of those people who are suffering from arthritis using Sun-style Tai Chi. This style includes quick-moving steps and exercises that may improve mobility, breathing and relaxation. The movements don’t require deep bending.
Time: Wednesdays from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Irem Clubhouse.
Cost: $65 per year For whom are these clubs probably designed for?
| A．Retired workers. |
| B．Talented teenagers. |
| C．Curious kids. |
| D．Learned experts. |
Members of the Art Club can do the following EXCEPT.
| A．drawing paintings |
| B．teaching others about painting |
| C．displaying their paintings |
| D．selling their paintings |
If a member of Computer Club attends an open general lab session, he or she ____.
| A．is required to buy a laptop |
| B．has to pay $35 for a session |
| C．has to take an iPad with him/her |
| D．needn’t pay for the session |
Which of the following is one feature of arthritis according to the passage?
| A．Terrible coughs. | B．Red eyes. |
| C．Painful joints. | D．Cold hands and legs. |
Sun-style Tai Chi can help people .
| A．bend deeply | B．move freely |
| C．sleep well | D．improve memory |
When you get tired of homework, several minutes’ walk in a nearby green park helps you relax at once. Or you may stand facing the lake or the seas. They will calm (not to be excited or nervous) you just like the green plants.
Wonder why? Color is a key part of the answers. Since it is so, green and blue help make people feel more quiet and safe.
All colors have special power. Scientists have found that many colors have specific effects on people’s mind and feelings.
Try an easy and interesting experiment and you’ll see how color “misleads” you sometimes. Wrap (包装) two boxes of the same size with colored paper, one red and the other white. Then weigh the two boxes with your hands. Which one is heavier? Most people will think that the red box is heavier, even though they weigh the same.
Colors can affect learning. Scientists have found that students spend more time reading if they read information written in blue text. Blue helps most people calm down and think more.
Clever uses of colors in daily life are to be seen everywhere. Hospitals and libraries seldom paint their walls, tables and desks red. They use light colors, like light blue or green. Red makes people excited while light colors help them relax. Haven’t worked out how color affects your daily life? Start with your small room. Try to make some changes in it and you’ll get to know how important color is! The underlined word “misleads” means _____.
| A．affects |
| B．effects |
| C．causes someone to have a wrong idea |
| D．give wrong directions |
We’d better paint the walls of the hospital in _____.
| A．light blue or light green |
| B．deep red or deep brown |
| C．deep orange or deep red |
| D．light green or light yellow |
If you want to ______, you’d better sit in the room painted blue.
| A．weigh something with your hands |
| B．study attentively |
| C．face the lake or the sea |
| D．enjoy some rock music |
Which of the following is NOT true?
| A．When you are going to have a rest, you’d better sit in the room painted green |
| B．Scientists have known some differences among some colors |
| C．When you get tired of homework, you should look at the green plants far away |
| D．The passage has told us clearly why some colors are warm and other colors are cool. |
The reading mainly shows us _____.
| A．the difference between red and blue |
| B．how to get on well with others |
| C．how to make smart uses of different colors in our daily life |
| D．how to paint and decorate our rooms |
Rodd and Todd were lucky children chosen to see Santa Claus himself up at the North Pole. Some elves(精灵) come in and said, "Santa Claus is very busy. You'll only be able to see him for a short while, so make the most of it."
Santa Claus appeared, carrying all the toys the two boys had ever wanted. While Todd ran to hug Santa Claus, Rodd went over to the bicycle he had always dreamed of having. Santa was only there for a few seconds, and disappeared before Rodd had even looked at him. He cried and complained, but within a few hours the two boys had been returned to their homes.
From that day on, every time Rodd saw a toy he felt the excitement of receiving a present, but he would instantly look around to see what else of importance he was missing. And in this way, Rodd helped those who had nothing, giving love to those who almost never received it, and putting smiles on the faces of the unhappy. All by himself, he managed to change the atmosphere of his town, and no one could know him without being grateful to him.
One Christmas, while he was sleeping, he felt someone pulling his leg. Rodd opened his eyes and saw the long white beard and the soft red suit. "Forgive me. I didn't know how to choose what was most important," said Rodd. But Santa Claus answered with a smile. "I chose to spend some time with the best boy in the world, just before I leave you the great gift you've earned for yourself. Thank you!” And the next morning, there were no presents under the Christmas tree. That Christmas, the gift had been so big that it couldn't fit down the chimney; the only place it could fit was in Rodd's heart. The story mainly tells us ______.
| A．to respect Santa Claus |
| B．to spend Christmas with Santa Claus |
| C．not to miss the important thing |
| D．not to ask for too many gifts for Christmas |
Rodd and Todd were told by elves that _______.
| A．it was not easy to meet Santa Claus |
| B．they had to wait for a long time |
| C．they have only a little time to be with Santa Claus |
| D．they would be sent back a few hours later |
Rodd missed Santa Claus because_______.
| A．he only focused on the present |
| B．he preferred the present to Santa Claus |
| C．he had never received any presents before |
| D．he was too young to know what was more important |
What was the people’s attitude towards Rodd in the town?
| A．They were grateful for his help. |
| B．They didn’t know him well. |
| C．They treated him as Santa Claus. |
| D．They gave him many presents. |
We can infer from the story that _____.
| A．Todd was cleverer than Rodd |
| B．Rodd would give present to others. |
| C．Rodd would go to the North Pole again |
| D．Rodd got more than common boys at last. |