III.    READING

  a. Choose the word or phrase - a, b, c or d - that best fits the blank space in the following passage.

It is difficult to write (46) ________ that tell exactly when we should apologize, but it is not difficult to learn how. If we have done something to hurt someone‘s feelings, or if we have been impolite or (47) _________ we should apologize. An apology indicates that we ________ realize we have ___________ made a (48) _________ and we are sorry for it. It is a way of expressing our regret for something. When we apologize, we admit our (49) _________ usually offer a reason for it, and express regret.

The simplest way to apologize is to say, I‘m sorry,‘ but often that is not enough. Let‘s take a (50) _________ situation. You are late for class and enter the classroom, (51) _________ the teacher in the middle of the lesson. What should you do? The most polite action is usually to take a seat as (52) _________ as possible and apologize later. But if the teacher stops and waits for you to say something, you could apologize simply “I‘m sorry I‘m late, ask (53) _________ to take your seat, and sit down. Naturally, more than this - a (54) _________ for the tardiness - is needed, but this is not the time or the place for it because you have already caused one interruption and don‘t need to make it any longer or (55) _________ than it already is.

It is difficult to write (46) ________ that tell exactly when we should apologize, but it is not difficult to learn how.