中科院英语听说教程《轻松听轻松说》(上册)听力原文及答案-Unit 12.docVIP

UNIT 12 I’m Sorry Making and Accepting an Apology Introduction Everyone makes mistakes, and everyone needs to know what to do and say after making a mistake. What would you say if you accidentally stepped on the foot of the person sitting next to you at a lecture or if you turned your bicycle into the path of another bicyclist and caused an accident? It may be difficult to write rules that tell exactly when you should apologize, but with some knowledge of the culture it is not difficult to learn how. If we have done something to hurt someone’s feelings, or if we have been impolite, or even if we call someone early in the morning or late at night, we should apologize. An apology indicates that we realize we’ve made a mistake, and we’re sorry for it. The function of the apology is to show regret for the wrongdoing and, if relevant, to offer an explanation or a remedy. Another function of an apology is to help you let go of the guilt you feel about the wrongdoing. Answers to the Questions: 1. It is difficult to tell exactly when we should apologize. Generally speaking, if we have done something wrong, or if we have been impolite, or even if we cause inconvenience, we should apologize. (The answers to this question can be varied) 2. No, with knowledge and understanding of the culture it is not difficult to learn how to apologize. 3. An apology indicates that we realize we’ve made a mistake, and we’re sorry for it. Background Information: Apologies vary, depending on the formality of the situation, the relationship between the two people, and, more important, the seriousness of the mistake. Stepping on someone’s toe accidentally would not require the same type of apology as knocking over a pedestrian with a bicycle. In general, the more serious the error, the more elaborate the apology should be. There are five possible parts to an apology: Formal expression of regret. This may be explicit, as in “I’m sorry,” or implied, as in “I didn’t mean to.” Explanation or