Making an apology is not the same as making amends. Sometimes we apologize just

Making an apology is not the same as makingamends. Sometimes we apologize just because it’s the easiest thing to do.What’s actually important is to identify where we go wrong, take fullresponsibility for our mistakes and , if possible, try to make up for them.

A recent case involving Hewlett-Packed, theUS computer giant, shows the importance of presenting a sincere apology. TheChinese consumers who had bought notebook computers of certain models, whichhave been put on Chinese market since 2007, suffered a massive flash screenfailures and overheating problems. Through investigation, Chinese AQSIQ (国家质检总局) identified these HPcomputers had quality problems and HP admitted this. HP made a proposal thatthey would extend the warranty (保修) period of such computers, but this could not satisfied theconsumers. What they needed was a thorough description of the truth. HP has“sincerely” apologized. But the consumers remain angry, and say that only aproduct recall — as HP has done in the past — will prove that the apology issincere.

Another apology that fell flat on its facewas that of Thierry Henry, the famous French footballer. His deliberatehandball in November 2009 created the goal which knocked Ireland out of the2010 World Cup. The incident caused great anger in the football world, andeventually Henry issued an apology. Two days later, he wrote, “I’m not thereferee…but if I hurt someone I’m sorry.” Better late than never, perhaps, buteven then he passed the blame onto the referee!

Such high-profile cases, which attract alot of publicity often under the spotlight, but similar incidents occur in oureveryday lives. Stress caused by schoolwork and tiredness can sometimes resultin outbursts of anger against friends and family. Have you ever lost your temperfor minor reasons? After calming down, most people are quick to realize theirmistake and apologize. But it’s just as important to identify what caused theerror in the first place and take action to ensure it doesn’t happen again.

No one should hold a negative attitude tomaking a sincere apology. Empty words are easy to say, but they are as uselessas they sound. A real show of remorse（痛悔;自责）demandshard work and commitment to put error right. 

1.What does the author intend to tell us inthe case of HP?

2. According to the author, when we doanything wrong we firstly _________.

3.We can infer from the case of ThierryHenry that _________ .

4.Which of the following can best explainthe word “commitment” in the last paragraph?

5. What’s the best title of this passage?

试题答案

【答案】

1.A

2.B

3.C

4.D

5.A

【解析】 略