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1、2011年12月英语四级真题及答案解析第一部分 真题 作文略Part II Reading Comprehension (Skimming and Scanning) Why Integrity MattersWhat is Integrity?The key to integrity is consistency-not only setting high personal standards for oneself (honesty, responsibility, respect for others, fairness) but also living up to those stan
2、dards each day. One who has integrity is bound by and follows moral and ethical standards even when making lifes hard choices, choices which may be clouded by stress, pressure to succeed, or temptation.What happens if we lie, cheat, steal, or violate other ethical standards? We feel disappointed in
3、ourselves and ashamed. But a lapse of integrity also affects our relationships with others. Trust is essential in any important relationship, whether personal or professional. Who can trust someone who is dishonest or unfair? Thus, integrity must be one of our most important goals.Risky BusinessWe a
4、re each responsible for our own decisions, even if the decision-making process has been undermined by stress or peer pressure. The real test of character is whether we can learn from our mistake, by understanding why we acted as we did, and then exploring ways to avoid similar problems in the future
5、.Making ethical decisions is a critical part of avoiding future problems. We must learn to recognize risks, because if we cant see the risks were taking, we cant make responsible choices. To identify risks, we need to know the rules and be aware of the facts. For example, one who doesnt know the rul
6、es about plagiarism may accidentally use words or ideas without giving proper credit, or one who fails to keep careful research notes may unintentionally fail to quote and cite sources as required. But the fact that such a violation is unintentional does not excuse the misconduct. Ignorance is not a
7、 defense.But Everybody Does ItMost people who get in trouble do know the rules and facts, but manage to fool themselves about the risks theyre taking by using excuses: Everyone else does it, Im not hurting anyone, or I really need this grade. Excuses can get very elaborate: I know Im looking at anot
8、hers exam, even though Im supposed to keep my eyes on my own paper, but thats not cheating because Im just checking my answers, not copying. We must be honest about our actions, and avoid excuses. If we fool ourselves into believing were not doing anything wrong, we cant see the real choice were mak
9、ing-and that leads to bad decisions.To avoid fooling yourself, watch out for excuses and try this test: Ask how you would feel if your actions were public, and anyone could be watching over your shoulder. Would you feel proud or ashamed of your actions? If youd rather hide your actions, thats a good
10、 indication that youre taking a risk and rationalizing it to yourself.Evaluating RisksTo decide whether a risk is worth taking, you must examine the consequences, in the future as well as right now, negative as well as positive, and to others as well as to yourself. Those who take risks they later r
11、egret usually focus on immediate benefits (whats in it for me), and simply havent considered what might go wrong. The consequences of getting caught are serious, and may include a 0 on a test or assignment; an F in the class; suspension or dismissal from school; transcript notation; and a tarnished
12、reputation. In fact, when you break a rule or law, you lose control over your life, and give others the power to impose punishment: you have no control over what that punishment might be. This is an extremely precarious and vulnerable position. There may be some matters of life and death, or highest
13、 principle, which might justify such a risk, but there arent many things that fall in this category.Getting Away With It-Or NotThose who dont get caught pay an even higher price. A cheater doesnt learn from the test, depriving him/herself of an education. Cheating undermines confidence and independe
14、nce: the cheater is a fraud, and knows that without dishonesty, he/she would have failed. Cheating destroys self-esteem and integrity, leaving the cheater ashamed, guilty, and afraid of getting caught. Worst of all, a cheater who doesnt get caught the first time usually cheats again, not only becaus
15、e he/she is farther behind, but also because it seems easier. This slippery slope of eroding ethics and bigger risks leads only to disaster. Eventually, the cheater gets caught, and the later he/she gets caught, the worse the consequences. Students have been dismissed from school because they didnt
16、get this simple message: Honesty is the ONLY policy that works.Cheating Hurts Others, TooCheaters often feel invisible, as if their actions dont count and dont really hurt anyone. But individual choices have a profound cumulative effect. Cheating can spread like a disease, and a cheater can encourage others just by being seen from across the room. Recent statistics suggest 30% or more o
