Apologizing is both an Art and a Science. The Art lies in the manner in which the apology is delivered while the Science is the recipe that forms the apology itself. A proper apology should always include several ingredients. Now let’s take a closer look at these ingredients.

Give a detailed account of the offense, and make sure both you and the other person are talking about the same thing. Whether you make it in secret or public doesn’t matter, but your apology should be focused on the particular event.

Next, by acknowledging the hurt or damage done, you are making the recipient (接受者) begin to sense that you understand the situation. It is important to rebuild your relationship because it makes them feel their anger is understandable.

Don’t try to defend yourself by offering any excuses, which is important to let them know that you understand the event and you actions do cause them harm. The apology is all about THEM and how they feel. It doesn’t matter if the actions were intentional or not, the end result is the same and that is what needs to be focused on when learning how to say, “I’m sorry”.

Give a sincere statement of regret such as “I apologize” or “I’m sorry”. Above all, tell them it won’t happen again. After all, there is no value in apologizing for something that you will do again and again.

Finally, asking for forgiveness at the end of the apology gives the power back to the recipient. It tells them, that you have done all that you can do by apologizing and providing whatever form of restitution(补偿)you can. The next move is up to them.

By including all these ingredients and applying them to your situation, you will know exactly how to say “I’m sorry” next time you need to.

1.The passage mainly tells readers ____.

A. the importance of apologizing

B. the process of apologizing

C. how to apologize effectively

D. how to repair a broken friendship

2.How will the recipient react when you admit hurting them?

A. They will be sorry for being angry with you.

B. They will treat you differently right away.

C. They will understand the situation better.

D. They will think their former reaction normal.

3.When you make an apology, you should concentrate on ____.

A. finding out better excuses

B. taking responsibility for the event

C. defending yourself from more harm

D. understanding the current situation

4.What is the key to any apology?

A. A sincere statement of regret.

B. Giving the recipient more power.

C. A promise that you won’t repeat your wrongdoings.

D. Giving the recipient a detailed account of the event.

 

阅读理解。

阅读下面短文，掌握其大意，然后从每小题所给的四个选项中，选出最佳答案。

　　Dear Daniel,

　　It's New Year's Eve, and as I look back over my life tonight, there are things I've learned in this time that I want to pass along to you. Hopefully, you won't find yourself making some of the same mistakes in your life that I have made in mine.

　　Always be honest with others, but most importantly, with yourself．Now, this is not to say you must always tell the absolute truth to everyone, all the time. Don't use the truth as a weapon to hurt someone. Somebody who asks, “Do you like my jacket?” doesn't want to hear that maybe you think it's terrible. They are proud of it and happy and just trying to show off a little. It's okay to say you like it if it makes them happy. But for the really important things in life you should always try to be as honest as you can be.

　　Hold on to your friends. Some friends you will have for a lifetime, others will just seem to enter your life and pass on through. But every one of them is a treasure beyond measure. There will be times in your life when you will need them, and good friends will do that for you. When a friend needs you, be there for them, help them and get them back on their feet again.

　　Never make a promise unless you are sure you can keep it, and then try your best to keep it. A man is often judged by how he keeps his word. People will pardon you for breaking a promise sometimes when it was given honestly but had to be broken for reasons beyond your control, just don't make a habit of it.

　　Life is funny! Never be afraid to laugh about it. You are going to make mistakes and look silly at times, so always be willing to laugh at yourself．If you ever find yourself unable to laugh at your own mistakes, you are taking your way too seriously and need to lighten up.

　　No matter how bad today is, or how terrible yesterday was, tomorrow is a new chance. Put a smile on your face and do what need to be done.

　　If it's silly but it works, it isn't silly. Don't be afraid to try something new or unusual.

　　There is a lot more to life than these things Daniel, and hopefully I'll be in your life for a long time to come to help you learn them.

With love, always,

Dad

1．From the letter we can know that Daniel is the writer's ________.

[　　]

2．The letter shows that ________.

[　　]

A．Daniel made a lot of mistakes

B．the writer went through a hard time

C．the writer loves his son deeply

D．Daniel is a silly boy

3．The sentence in the letter “… get them back on their feet again” Means

[　　]

A．teach them how to keep word

B．laugh at them

C．help them to pick themselves up

D．try to hold on

4．Which of the following is true according to the writer?

[　　]

A．Always tell the whole truth to everyone.

B．Never make a promise if no one helps you.

C．Take your way seriously and make less mistakes.

D．Be brave to try something unusual in your life.

During the twentieth century, cars, electric lights, space travel and amazing advances in medicine changed people’s lives. So what might this new century bring? There are hundreds of predictions flying around — let’s have a light-hearted look at some of them.

In a recent UK survey, teenagers were asked to make predictions about the year 2020. One of the most common predictions was that school uniforms won’t be around. They also predicted that both girls and boys will wear make-up more often, and more than 75% of men will wear skirts regularly. My dad is 65 next Saturday — I think I’ll buy him a skirt as a birthday present and tell him he’ll soon be in fashion!

Other predictions involve changing roles of men and women. By 2017, some people say that single men of working age will form more than 10% of all families. It is also predicted that washing powder advertisements will include more men because more of them will do housework. I’ll tell that to my husband when he gets home and see how keen he is to wash the dishes!

Many predictions are about crime and safety problems. Some people think that crime will improve and the world will become a more peaceful place. Others believe that crime is going to worsen and that people will stay at home becoming completely dependent on the Internet for shopping and work. It is also predicted that you will need an electronic card to get into parks as parents demand safe play areas for their children. This is old news for me --- our local government is going to introduce one this summer.

Technology is predicted to play an even more important role in our lives in the future. Some parents might have cameras at home so they can keep an eye on their children while they are out. Quick, kids, turn off the TV and do your homework!

Here’s another prediction. Researchers have concluded that cultural activity may add years to your life. The cinema, theatre and concerts may give us a longer life because they encourage strong feelings. Well, we’re watching Bridget Jones’ Diary this Friday night. Will that help us live longer?

Let’s finish up with my favourite prediction. In the future, elderly people are going to make up a larger proportion of the world’s population than ever before. In Britain, an estimated 100,000 people now in their thirties may live to be 100. And that includes me! I’ll have a big, big party, I promise!

1. The writer’s father ________ .

   A. has just turned sixty-five

   B. wears skirts

   C. is very fashionable

   D. is about to turn sixty-five

2.Why might more men do housework in the future?

   A. Washing powder advertisements suggest it.

   B. Men won’t want to work in offices any more.

   C. Traditional roles of men and women will change.

   D. Women will refuse to wash the dishes.

3.According to the passage, people might ________ , if crime worsens.

   A. need electronic cards to get into their homes

   B. stay at home and depend on the Internet

   C. help to make the world a more peaceful place

   D. work harder and make more money

4.Which of the following is NOT true？

   A. It’s likely that the writer is to live to be 100.

   B. The writer promises that she is going to hold a big, big party soon.

   C. Without an electronic card, you can’t get into a park freely in the future.

   D. The writer holds a positive attitude towards the changes in the new century.

5.From the passage, we may infer that the writer is probably ____ .

   A. a professional news reporter.

   B. a young and attractive sales girl.

   C. a middle-aged British housewife.

   D. a responsible government official.

 

During the twentieth century, cars, electric lights, space travel and amazing advances in medicine changed people’s lives. So what might this new century bring? There are hundreds of predictions flying around — let’s have a light-hearted look at some of them.
In a recent UK survey, teenagers were asked to make predictions about the year 2020. One of the most common predictions was that school uniforms won’t be around. They also predicted that both girls and boys will wear make-up more often, and more than 75% of men will wear skirts regularly. My dad is 65 next Saturday — I think I’ll buy him a skirt as a birthday present and tell him he’ll soon be in fashion!
Other predictions involve changing roles of men and women. By 2017, some people say that single men of working age will form more than 10% of all families. It is also predicted that washing powder advertisements will include more men because more of them will do housework. I’ll tell that to my husband when he gets home and see how keen he is to wash the dishes!
Many predictions are about crime and safety problems. Some people think that crime will improve and the world will become a more peaceful place. Others believe that crime is going to worsen and that people will stay at home becoming completely dependent on the Internet for shopping and work. It is also predicted that you will need an electronic card to get into parks as parents demand safe play areas for their children. This is old news for me --- our local government is going to introduce one this summer.
Technology is predicted to play an even more important role in our lives in the future. Some parents might have cameras at home so they can keep an eye on their children while they are out. Quick, kids, turn off the TV and do your homework!
Here’s another prediction. Researchers have concluded that cultural activity may add years to your life. The cinema, theatre and concerts may give us a longer life because they encourage strong feelings. Well, we’re watching Bridget Jones’ Diary this Friday night. Will that help us live longer?
Let’s finish up with my favourite prediction. In the future, elderly people are going to make up a larger proportion of the world’s population than ever before. In Britain, an estimated 100,000 people now in their thirties may live to be 100. And that includes me! I’ll have a big, big party, I promise!
【小题1】 The writer’s father ________ .

A．has just turned sixty-five

B．wears skirts

C．is very fashionable

D．is about to turn sixty-five

【小题2】Why might more men do housework in the future?

A．Washing powder advertisements suggest it.

B．Men won’t want to work in offices any more.

C．Traditional roles of men and women will change.

D．Women will refuse to wash the dishes.

【小题3】According to the passage, people might ________ , if crime worsens.

A．need electronic cards to get into their homes

B．stay at home and depend on the Internet

C．help to make the world a more peaceful place

D．work harder and make more money

【小题4】Which of the following is NOT true？

A．It’s likely that the writer is to live to be 100.

B．The writer promises that she is going to hold a big, big party soon.

C．Without an electronic card, you can’t get into a park freely in the future.

D．The writer holds a positive attitude towards the changes in the new century.

【小题5】From the passage, we may infer that the writer is probably ____ .

A．a professional news reporter.

B．a young and attractive sales girl.

C．a middle-aged British housewife.

D．a responsible government official.