研口语考试材料道歉.docx

1、研口语考试材料道歉Passage 1A Time for ApologiesThroughout history, saying sorry is not something political and religious leaders have felt comfortable about. Some see it as a sign of weakness; for others its an admission that they are liable to make errorssomething religious institutions are particularly car

2、eful to avoid.But as political systems have become more sophisticated, the idea that governments or churches are faultless has become increasingly difficult to defend. The response of some people in positions of authority has been to stand up and apologize for past wrongs.The trend began in earnest

3、in 1995, when the Queen of England admitted that the Maori people of New Zealand had been shamefully treated, when the country was a British colony. Since then, what started as trickle of apologies has turned into something of a flood. Last year alone, apologies were issued by three of the worlds mo

4、st powerful nations. The US President, Bill Clinton, apologized for medical experiments which his government carried out on black American men in the 1930s; the British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, apologized for Britains failure to help victims of the Irish potato famine, which killed over a million

5、 people last century; and French Catholic Bishops apologized for the role of their predecessors during World War II.But why do heads of state feel the need to apologize, and why now? one answer has to do with the recent 50th-anniversary of the end of World War II. Three years ago, governments around

6、 the world wanted to mark this historic event with some acts. But those countries which had been on the winning side found that simple celebrations of victory were no longer appropriate. Many political leaders, like most of their citizens, belong to post-war generations, who now look on the conflict

7、 as more than simply the victory of good over evil. Also, the passing of time has erased much of the propaganda of the period. In its place, recently declassified documents reveal that many of the victors either profited, or turned a blind eye to the sufferings of the war.In the event, the 50th-anni

8、versary celebrations emphasized the recreation of harmony and the desire never to repeat the cruelties and suffering of World War II. But amid the general goodwill, the few remaining survivors of cruelties like the Holocaust, and military occupation, called for their personal suffering to be admitte

9、d, and for compensation to be paid.Two groupsJewish survivors of the Holocaust and Korean women who were forced into prostitution by the Japanese Armyhave both received apologies. However, neither group is entirely satisfied with the result.But the renewed investigation of crimes committed during Wo

10、rld War II is only one reason for the apology phenomenon. Other governments, notably the US, have also realized that if they want to demand high standards of moral behavior from other nations, they can only do so if they admit their own past wrongs. President Clinton has responded by making public a

11、pologies to US citizens, who, as recently as the 1950s, were used as guinea-pig in secret experiments involving radiation and sexually transmitted diseases. He is also expected to make a formal apology to the descendants of slaves in the US.But its not just a sense of conscience, nor demands from pr

12、essure groups, which lies behind these apologies. A well-timed apology can do a lot to promote a head of states public imagein the 90s, caring and sympathetic leaders are better vote winners than proud and determined ones.However, playing the public-relations game with apologies is dangerous, as som

13、e politicians have found to their cost. The Swiss government is still trying to put right the public-relations disaster that resulted from their partial apology for Switzerlands dealings with the Nazis in the 1930s and 40s.But, in Britain, Tony Blair has gained a different kind of political advantag

14、e through his apology for the Irish potato famine. His statement has helped improve relations between the parties involved in the difficult peace negotiations over Northern Ireland. He is now thought to be considering an official apology for the 1972 killing of Northern Irish Catholics by the Britis

15、h Army on what has become known as “Blood Sunday”.Before he issues an apology, however, Tony Blair will have to consider the possibility that victims families might issue claims for compensation. The cost of fulfilling or fighting such claims could outweigh any political advantages. Also, because th

16、is event happened relatively recently, relations between the different sides in Northern Ireland could suffer.These points illustrate some of the risks that leaders take when saying sorry for past wrongs. But, for most leaders, these risks have been purely academic. So academic, in fact, that there

17、is a concern that “sorry” might turn out to be the easiest word after all.Passage 2Tiger comments on current eventsBy Tiger WoodsI have let my family down and I regret those transgressions with all of my heart. I have not been true to my values and the behavior my family deserves. I am not without f

18、aults and I am far short of perfect. I am dealing with my behavior and personal failings behind closed doors with my family. Those feelings should be shared by us alone. Although I am a well-known person and have made my career as a professional athlete, I have been dismayed to realize the full exte

19、nt of what tabloid scrutiny really means. For the last week, my family and I have been hounded to expose intimate details of our personal lives. The stories in particular that physical violence played any role in the car accident were utterly false and malicious. Elin has always done more to support

20、 our family and shown more grace than anyone could possibly expect. But no matter how intense curiosity about public figures can be, there is an important and deep principle at stake which is the right to some simple, human measure of privacy. I realize there are some who dont share my view on that.

21、 But for me, the virtue of privacy is one that must be protected in matters that are intimate and within ones own family. Personal sins should not require press releases and problems within a family shouldnt have to mean public confessions. Whatever regrets I have about letting my family down have b

22、een shared with and felt by us alone. I have given this a lot of reflection and thought and I believe that there is a point at which I must stick to that principle even though its difficult. I will strive to be a better person and the husband and father that my family deserves. For all of those who

23、have supported me over the years, I offer my profound apologyPassage 3RCMP apologizes to Dziekanskis motherI thank you, and I accept your apology, Zofia Cisowski respondsZofia Cisowski said Thursday that she accepts the RCMPs apology for their role in her sons death. The police force stopped short o

24、f accepting responsibility for the death but said it was among the many people who played a role in the sequence of events leading up to it. (CBC) The mother of Polish visitor Robert Dziekanski, who died in October 2007 after RCMP subdued him with a Taser, says now that the police force has apologiz

25、ed, she might finally be able to sleep at night.Zofia Cisowski made the statement after the RCMP deputy commissioner for the Pacific region, Gary Bass, formally apologized to her during a news conference Thursday morning at Vancouver International Airport, where Dziekanski died.I want to apologize f

26、or our role in this tragic death of your son, Robert Dziekanski, said Bass. The RCMP has learned much from this tragic incident.Cisowski confirmed she had accepted a financial settlement as compensation for her sons death and that she will drop the lawsuit she filed last year against the federal and

27、 provincial governments, the airport and the four RCMP officers who fired the stun gun at Dziekanski.The officers said they used the Taser on Dziekanski because they felt threatened by him. The Polish immigrant, who did not speak English, had arrived in Canada on a long flight from Europe and became

28、 agitated after spending several more hours wandering around the immigration and baggage areas looking for his mother, who had come to meet him but was stranded in another part of the airport.Bass said numerous changes had been made to the RCMP guidelines for the use of Tasers, and that he hoped the

29、 apology would begin the healing process for Dziekanskis mother, the RCMP and the public.I thank you, and I accept your apology.Zofia CisowskiSitting beside Bass, a tearful Cisowski also read a statement, saying I thank you, and I accept your apology.It has been 2 years since my son died, said Cisow

30、ski. There was not a single day that I did not cry and analyze what could have been done to avoid this tragedy.I believe the settlement and the apologies given by the federal and provincial authorities will help begin the healing process and clear the path toward my future.It is good to see some cha

31、nges in polices and procedures adopted by the government, she said, adding that she was looking forward to the final report from the Braidwood Commission, which is investigating the incident and the general use of conducted energy weapons by police.Settlement not revealedThe details of the financial

32、 settlement are being kept confidential, but Cisowski said she was not angry about the final outcome or the time it took to reach the agreement.I have to close this chapter, she said, I understand that these things take time.Her lawyer, Walter Kostecky, said both sides agreed it was in Cisowskis best interests if the details of the settlement were not made public.The RCMP has also donated $20,000 to set up a student scholarship in Kamloops, B.C., she said.Cisowski also thanked the media for bringing the incident to light and the Polish community in Kamloops