Direction: In this part of the test, you will hear a passage and read the same passage with blanks in it. Fill in each of the blanks with the words you have heard on the tape. Write your answer in the corresponding space in your ANSWER BOOKLET. Remember you will hear the passage ONLY ONCE.

 

Every human being is fallible; we make mistakes. In America when a mistake has been made, it is considered fitting for the person ________ (1) to acknowledge his or her error and to apologize to anyone who has been inconvenienced. Even ________ (2) are expected to admit their mistakes and apologize for them. Trying to ________ (3) a mistake and denying your guilt are considered to be indicative of serious ________ (4).

If you make a mistake that ________ (5) a group of people, a public apology is considered the best method for ________ (6). If the mistake was a serious one, or if some people were inconvenienced more than others, then the ________(7) should follow the public apology with private ones to ________ (8).

It is especially important for executives and company heads to be able to admit their mistakes. Sometimes leaders are afraid that if they ________ (9), they will lose the respect of their employees. Actually ________ (10)—if you are honest with your employees and yourself, ________ (11), and show that you are willing to accept blame when you make a mistake, then your employees will be ________ (12) you. They will also be more likely to admit their own mistakes.

If you ________ (13) one person, it is usually best to apologize to that person alone, unless your mistake ________ (14) by a large group of people. For example, if Leonard ________ (15) to Mr. Todd during a committee meeting, it would be ________ (16) for Leonard to apologize to Mr. Todd at the next committee meeting. If the ________ (17) created by the initial mistake is public, then the apology should be public. However, if Leonard raised his voice to Mr. Todd when only the two of them ________ (18), he may apologize privately. Notice as well ________ (19) the apologies are. As soon as you realize you have made a mistake, you should ________ (20).