2011年12月日语能力考二级真题读解部分03
2011年12月日语能力考二级真题读解部分03
2011年12月日语能力考二级真题读解部分02。考生们在日语备考中都会看大量资料，做大量习题来提高日语水平，可是在能力考前还是不能确定自己的掌握情况，那就让往年二级真题来帮你检测一下吧!
問題13.次の文章を読んで、後の問いに対する答えとして最もよいものを、1. 2. 3. 4から一つ選びなさい。
小説家で自作解説をする人がたまにいる。ぼくは『ちょっとな.......』と思う。なぜそんなに思うのかと言うと、一つは『ぼくの自由に読ませてよ』と言いたいからだ。もう一つは自作解説ができるほど言いたいことがはっきりしているなら、なにも小説などという回りくどい(注1)表現形式をとる必要はなかったではないかと思うからだ、はじめから評論を書けばよかったのだ。小説は言葉を使ってこの世界に似せたイメージを作る表現形式である、世界はそれ自身では主張を持たないから、ぼくたちは小説を『自由』に解釈でくる。それが小説を読む楽しみだ。ところが、評論はそうではない。古典的名著ともなれば評論でもさまざまな解釈が競われるこどがあえうが、ふつうは評論の主張ははっきりしている。『自由』に解釈すれば『誤読』となることが多い。
では、ぼくたちはなぜ評論を読むのかと言えば、それは自分の知らないことやわからないことを、知りたいしわかりたいからだ。それが知的な虚栄心(注2)というもので、これがなくなったら精神的な『老人』である。精神的な『若者』は、友人が本を読んだと聞けば、たとえ自分が読んでない本であっても『読んだよ』と答えるものだ。そして、あわてふためいて(注3)本屋さんが図書館に行って、わかってもわからなくても一晩でそれを読んで、翌日には涼しい顔をして『そう言えば、あれはたいした本じゃないね』なんて言ってみるものだ、そんなふうにして、ぼくたちは教養を身につける。
ぼくは『教養』という言葉を二つの意味でとらえている。一つは知識の量で、これは多ければ多いほどいい。しかし、これは少し古風な教養のとらえ方である、現代ではあまりに多くの情報があふれているからとても追いつけない。その上に過去のことまで知っていなければならないとしたら大変だ。もちろんそのための努力は大切だが、限りがある。そこで二つめの教養の意味が必要だと考えている。それは、物事を考えるための座標軸(注4)をできるだけたくさん持つことだ。『たくさん』とは言っても、ぼくたちの思考方法にはその時代ごとに流行があるから、これは無限というわけではない。ぼくは、その時代に必要な思考方法を身につけることを第二の教養、そして現代の教養と呼んでおきたい。この現代の教養を身につけるために評論を読むのである。
(石原千秋『未来形の読書術』による)
(注1)回りくどい:直接的でなくわかりにくい
(注2)虚栄心:実際以上によく見せたいと思う心
(注3)あわてふためいて:とてもあわてて
(注4)座標軸:ここでは、基準
71.筆者によると、小説は読者にとってどのようなものか。
1イメージの世界の作家の解説どおり読むもの
2作家の作り出した世界から主張を読み取るもの
3作家が描いた世界を表現どおり解釈するもの
4作家が表現した世界を好きなように解釈するもの
72.精神的な『若者』とはどういう人か。
1教養があるのにないふりをする人
2教養があると思われるように評論を読む人
3知識のないことを恥ずかしいと思わない人
4知識の不足を自覚して評論を読む人
73.筆者の言う第二の教養とは何か。
1多くの知識を身につけていること
2時代に沿った考え方ができること
3将来の状況を予測するような考え方ができること
4流行に右左されない知識を身につけていること
問題14右のページは、留学生のために就職セミナーの案内である。下の問いに対する答えとして最もよいものを、1.2.3.4から一つ選びなさい。
74.留学生のリーさんは、友人と一緒に6人でこの別館を見学したいと考えている。6人1組で一緒に申し込むことはできるか。また、6人が同じ時間に一緒に見学することは可能か。
1.6人1組で申し込むことが可能で、同じ時間に一緒に見学することができる。
2.6人1組で申し込むことはできるが、同じ時間に一緒に見学できるとは限らない。
3.2組に分けて申し込む必要があり、同じ時間に一緒に見学できない可能性もある。
4.3組に分けて申し込まなければならず、同じ時間に一緒に見学することはできない。
75.中学生の田中さんは古い建物に興味があるので、この別館をぜひ見学したいと考えている。田中さんが見学当日に必ずしなければならないことは何か。
1大人と一緒に行く。
2見学の前に料金を支払う。
3別館見学ツアーに参加する。
4結果通知のはがきを持参する。
答案：
問題13：4 4 2
問題14 ：3 3
以上内容就是2011年12月日语能力考试二级真题读解部分相关内容，更多精彩真题请继续关注前程百利日语考试频道!
2011年12月大学六级真题+听力原文+答案详解
2011年12月大学英语六级真题 Part I Writing (30 minutes) Directions:For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a short essay entitled The Way to Success by commenting on Abraham Lincoln's famous remark, "Give me six hours to chop down a tree, and I will spend, the first four sharpening the axe." You should write at least 150 words but no more than 200 words. The Way to Success 注意：此部分试题请在答题卡1上作答。 Part II Reading Comprehension (Skimming and Scanning) (15 minutes) Directions:In this part, you will have 15 minutes to go over the passage quickly and answer thequestions on Answer Sheet 1. For questions 1-7, choose the best answer from the four choices marked A), B), C) and D). For questions 8-10, complete the sentences with the information given in the passage. Google's Plan for World's Biggest Online Library: Philanthropy Or Act of Piracy? In recent years, teams of workers dispatched by Google have been working hard to make digital copies of books. So far, Google has scanned more than 10 million titles from libraries in America and Europe - including half a million volumes held by the Bodleian in Oxford. The exact method it uses is unclear; the company does not allow outsiders to observe the process. Why is Google undertaking such a venture? Why is it even interested in all those out-of-printlibrary books, most of which have been gathering dust on forgotten shelves for decades? Thecompany claims its motives are essentially public-spirited. Its overall mission, after all, is to "organise the world's information", so it would be odd if that information did not include books. The company likes to present itself as having lofty aspirations. "This really isn't about making money. We are doing this for the good of society." As Santiago de la Mora, head of Google Books for Europe, puts it: "By making it possible to search the millions of books that exist today, we hope to expand the frontiers of human knowledge." Dan Clancy, the chief architect of Google Books, does seem genuine in his conviction that thisis primarily a philanthropic (慈善的) exercise. "Google's core business is search and find, soobviously what helps improve Google's search engine is good for Google," he says. "But we havenever built a spreadsheet (电子数据表) outlining the financial benefits of this, and I have neverhad to justify the amount I am spending to the company's founders." It is easy, talking to Clancy and his colleagues, to be swept along by their missionary passion. But Google's book-scanning project is proving controversial. Several opponents have recently emerged, ranging from rival tech giants such as Microsoft and Amazon to small bodies representing authors and publishers across the world. In broad terms, these opponents have levelled two sets of criticisms at Google. First, they have questioned whether the primary responsibility for digitally archiving the world's books should be allowed to fall to a commercial company. In a recent essay in the New
2008年日语能力考试2级真题+答案+听力原文+阅读翻译(全)
2008 年日本語能力試験2 級 文字?語彙 (100 点35 分) 問題Ⅰ次の下線をつけたことばは、どのように読になすか。その読に方をそれぞれの1.2.3.4 から一つ選びなさい。 問１?地球温暖化は、私たちにさまざまな影響を与えている。 （１）. 地球１. じきゅう２. ちきゅう３. ちきょう４. じきょう （２）. 与えて１. あたえて２. くわえて３. とらえて４. そなえて 問２?人類の未来のために、資源の再利用を進めるべきだ。 （３）. 人類１. じんすう２. にんすう３. にんるい４. じんるい （４）. 未来１. みいらい２. しょらい３. みらい４. しょうらい （５）. 再利用１. さいりよう２. ざいかつよう３. ざいりよう４. さいかつよう 問３?あの人は時間にはとてもきびしく、一秒でも遅刻すると機嫌が悪くなるそうだ。 （６）. 一秒１. いっぴょう２. いっびょう３. いちびょう４. いちぴょう （７）. 遅刻１. じこく２. ちこく３. じごく４. ちごく （８）. 機嫌１. ぎげん２. がいげん３. きげん４. かいげん 問４?この公害をめぐる裁判では、会社の方針が問われている。 （９）. 公害１. こうがい２. ごうがい３. ごうかい４. こうかい （10）. 裁判１. さいだん２. さいたん３. さいはん４. さいばん （11）. 方針１. かたはり２. ほうしん３. ほうじん４. かたばり 問５?皮膚が乾燥しないように、このクリームを塗ってください。 （12）. 皮膚１. はだ２. かわ３. ほほ４. ひふ （13）. 乾燥１. かんぞう２. かんそう３. けんそう４. けんぞう （14）. 塗って１. ふって２. はって３. ぬって４. とって 問６?この服のデザインは、欧米の流行を参考にしているそうですよ。 （15）. 欧米１. ようべい２. ようめい３. おうめい４. おうべい （16）. 流行１. りょうこう２. りゅこう３. りゅうこう４. りょこう （17）. 参考１. さんこう２. さんこ３. せんこう４. せんこ 問７?社長からの指示なので悩んだが、この仕事はやはり断ることにした。 （18）. 指示１. さしず２. しじ３. さしじ４. しず （19）. 悩んだ１. くやんだ２. おがんだ３. うらんだ４. なやんだ （20）. 断る１. ことわる２. あきらめる３. さける４. ぬける 問題Ⅱ次の文の下線をつけたことばは、どのような漢字を書きますか。その漢字をそれぞれの1.2.3.4 から一つ選びなさい。 問１?おとといのいいんかいで来年度の活動案がしょうにんされた。 （21）. いいんかい１. 秀員会２. 委員会３. 禿員会４. 季員会 （22）. しょうにん１. 承認２. 丞任３. 承任４. 丞認 問２?ゆうべは、はがいたくてぜんぜん眠れなかった。 （23）. は１. 鼻２. 胸３. 歯４. 腹 （24）. いたくて１. 痛くて２. 病くて３. 疫くて４. 疲くて 問３?こくさいきょうそうに勝つためには価格を下げるほかはないだろう。 （25）. こくさい１. 国祭２. 国際３. 国擦４. 国察 （26）. きょうそう１. 境争２. 境走３. 競走４. 競争 問４?先生はいそがしい方なので、電話でご都合をうかがったほうがいいですよ。 （27）. いそがしい１. 速しい２. 難しい３. 忙しい４. 急しい （28）. うかがった１. 詞った２. 伺った３. 訪った４. 仿った 問５?彼のらんぼうな行動にしゅういの人は困っている。 （29）. らんぼう１. 舌爆２. 舌暴３. 乱爆４. 乱暴
2019年12月大学英语四级考试真题完整版(第一套)
Part I Writing (30 minutes) Directions: For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a letter to a foreign friend who wants to learn Chinese. Please recommend a university to him. You should write at least 120 words but no more than 180 words. Part II Listening Comprehension (25 minutes) Section A Directions: In this section, you will hear three news reports. At the end of each news report, you will hear two or three questions. Both the news report and the questions will be spoken only once. After you hear a question, you must choose the best answer from the four choices marked A) , B) , C) and D) . Then mark the corresponding letter on Answer Sheet 1 with a single line through the centre. Questions I and 2 are based on the news report you have just heard. 1.A)Many facilities were destroyed by a wandering cow. B) A wandering cow knocked down one of its fences. C)Some tourists were injured by a wandering cow. D) A wandering cow was captured by the police. 2.A) It was shot to death by a police officer. B)It found its way back to the park' s zoo. C)It became a great attraction for tourists. D)It was sent to the animal control department. Questions 3 and 4 are based on the news report you have just heard. 3.A) It is the largest of its kind. B)It is going to be expanded. C)It is displaying more fossil specimens. D)It is staring an online exhibition. 4.AJA collection of bird fossils from Australia. B)Photographs of certain rare fossil exhibits. C)Some ancient wall paintings from Australia. D)Pictures by winners of a wildlife photo contest. Questions 5 to 7 are based on the news report you have just heard. 5.A) Pick up trash. B)Amuse visitors. C)Deliver messages. D)Play with children. 6.A) They are especially intelligent. 8)They are children' s favorite. C They are quite easy to tame. D) They are clean and pretty. 7.A) Children may be harmed by the rooks. B)Children may be tempted to drop litter. C)Children may contract bird diseases.
2011年12月大学英语六级真题答案
2011年12月大学英语六级真题答案 快速阅读 1. Google claims its plan for the world’s biggest online library is _____ 【答案】B. to serve the interest of the general public【解析】该题问的是Google 所声称的自己图书馆计划的目的。根据顺序原则该题靠前，同时注意到第三段开头连续并列why，提示第三段很有可能提到原因或目的。用claim定位至第三段第三句，该句motive 引出后面Google声称的原因是“本质上被公众精神驱动”，三段末更提到是为了所有人的知识需求。核心名词public及句意都对应B选项。 2. According to Santiago de la Mora, Google’s book-scanning project will 【答案】B. broaden humanity’s intellectual horizons【解析】该题问的是Santiago de la Mora对Google图书扫面项目的看法。用人名可定位至四段中，之后该人提到Goo gle该项目能expand the frontiers of human knowledge，即拓广人类知识的范围。对应B选项。核心名词knowledge被改为同义词intellectual，frontier被同义替换为horizon，动词expand被同义替换为broaden。 3. Opponents of Google Books believe that digitally archiving the world's books should be controlledby_______. 【答案】C. non-profit organizations【解析】该题问的是反对Google的人对数字知识控制者的看法。用opponents可定位至第7段前后，control可进一步定位至第八段最后R obert Darnton的观点。该人认为只有public, not-for-profit bodies 可以有控制数字知识的权利，对应C选项。Bodies被同义替换为organization。 4.【答案】D. the copyright of the books it scanned【解析】该题问的是Google卷入官司的原因。由legal battle可定位至第9段前后，用之后第10段短首出现的however
1999年日语能力考试2级真题及答案
1999年日语二级能力测试考试真题及答案 文字·語彙(100点35分) 問題Ⅰ次の下線をつけたことばは、どのように読になすか。その読に方をそれぞれの1、2、3、4から一つ選びなさい。 問1①恋愛②結婚に③賛成かどうか④順番に意見を⑤求められた。 （1）恋愛１．れあい２．れない３．れんあい４．れんない （2）結婚１．けこん２．けごん３．けいこん４．けっこん （3）賛成１．さぜい２．さっせい３．さんせ４．さんせい （4）順番１．じゅばん２．じゅうばん３．じゅっばん４．じゅんばん （5）求められた１．あつめられた２．すすめられた３．もとめられた４．まとめられた問2①若いとき②夢中で星座の名前を③覚えた。 （1）若い１．ちいさい２．すくない３．わかい４．おさない （2）夢中１．むちゅう２．むうちゅう３．むっちゅう４．うちゅう （3）覚えた１．おぼえた２．かぞえた３．そろえた４．とらえた 問3①警察は②封筒の③筆跡から犯人を数名に④限定した。 （1）警察１．けいかん２．けいじ３．けいさつ４．けんさつ （2）封筒１．ふうと２．ふうとう３．ほうと４．ほうとう （3）筆跡１．ひつせき２．ひっせき３．ふてあと４．ふであと （4）限定１．けってい２．げってい３．けんてい４．げんてい 問4東の空に①美しい②光がさして③静かに④太陽が⑤昇ってきた。 （1）美しい１．まぶしい２．うつくしい３．すばらしい４．めずらしい （2）光１．あかり２．かおり３．けむり４．ひかり （3）静かに１．しずかに２．たしかに３．あたたかに４．やわらかに （4）太陽１．たいよ２．だいよ３．たいよう４．だいよう （5）昇って１．あがって２．のぼって３．めぐって４．もどって 問5むかしより、①掃除や②洗濯などの家事③労働の時間がへった。 （1）掃除１．そうじ２．そうじょ３．しょうじ４．しょうじょ （2）洗濯１．せったく２．せっだく３．せんたく４．せんたっく （3）労働１．ろうとう２．ろうどう３．とうろう４．どうろう
2011年12月英语四级真题及答案详解
作文： Nothing succeeds without a strong will There is a prevalent joke around young people saying that ‘quitting smoking is the easiest thing in the world, and I’ve done it for hundreds of times.’ This seemingly funny statement ironically reflects the fact that the determination of most youngsters is oftentimes started with enthusiasm, but the passion becomes increasingly weaker each day, and then diminishes as if there has been no such thing at all. It is obvious that their failure in ‘quitting smoking’ and decline of determination are all ascribed to their lack of will. Initially, every success involves several stages of setbacks and risks, and we need to summon up our will to conquer them. Moreover, there are enormous temptation in our path of pursuit of success. For instance, when we plan to quit smoking, our roommates may smoke freely in front of us; when we are eager to keep fit, our close friends may invite us to have late night snacks. Under these occasions, only strong will can assist us to resist the temptation, and persist in chasing our goals until we triumphantly realize them. In short, no dream will successfully come true if we do not have strong will. An old famous proverb says that ‘ where there is a will, there is a way’. Let us bear this motton in mind no matter how many thunders and thorns are on our roads ahead, then we will be successful with such precious and powerful spirit. [快速阅读] 快速阅读 1. A person of integrity not only sets high moral and ethical standards but also _______. A) sticks to them in their daily life B) makes them known to others C) understands their true values D)sees that others also follow them 选择sticks to them in their daily life 定位在原文第一段，文中说正直(integrity)的关键是一致性(consistency)，不仅要有很多道德和伦理的准则，还要每天都坚守。 2. What role does integrity play in personal and professional relationships? A) It helps to create team spirit B) It facilitates communication C) It is the basis of mutual trust D) It inspires mutual respect 选择It is the basis of mutual trust.
2011年12月英语六级(CET6)真题
1)现在很多年轻人每个月都把自己赚的钱花光，他们被称作“月光族” 2)有人认为这是一种时尚的消费观念，但很多人反对这样消费 3)我对此的看法是…… 【参考范文】 The Moonlight Clan Nowadays, more and more people, especially the young are joining in the army of “the moonlight clan”. These people exhaust their earnings every month without any savings. Many people think this is a fashionable life style, while other people object to this kind of consumption style. Those who support “the moonlight clan”think that “the moonlight clan”knows how to enjoy life and have a higher life quality. However, other people criticize “the moonlight clan”. They say that the consumption habit of “the moonlight clan”is unhealthy and sometimes wasteful. In addition, no savings will place “the moonlight clan” in a difficult position in case of unexpected expenses. Weighing these two arguments, I prefer the latter one. In my eyes, though “the moonlight clan”may acquire temporary satisfaction from their consumption, in the long term, it is unfavorable to their family and career. Just as a proverb says, one should always prepare for a rainy day. 1)近来，许多经典名著被改写成各种版本以供大众娱乐 2)这种现象产生的原因 3)改写经典名著可能产生的问题 【参考范文】 The Adaptation of the Classics Nowadays many classics are being adapted in many ways, which has aroused great concern. In those adapted works, all plots are changed and all characters become somewhat watered down. In addition, some familiar characters in the classics have been distorted. There are many reasons accounting for this phenomenon. Among all these reasons, readers’preference plays a critical role. Moreover, the concept of creativity is prevailing in every aspect. Besides, the improved living standard enables people to pursue and enjoy more choices of entertainments including the adaptations of the classics. All these above reasons contribute to the adaptation of the classics. As far as I am concerned, the adaptation of the classics does more harm than good. For one thing, since the classical literature is the representation of the outstanding art of China, the act of adapting may ruin its charm. For another, those adapted works may confuse with history. Therefore, the real classics should be presented on the bookshelves to lead people to appreciate the real art. 1)近几年兴起了一股报考国家公务员的热潮 2)分析产生这一现象的原因 3)你对此的看法是…… 【参考范文】 Test for National Civil Servants In recent years, there are more and more people who have participated in the test for national civil servants. Millions of students choose civil servant as their most ideal occupation after
2011年12月英语六级全真预测试题及答案解析
之 2011年12月大学英语六级全真预测试题及答案解析
2011年12月英语六级全真预测试题及答案解析 一、阅读理解 第1题： Occasional self-medication has always been part of normal living. The making and selling of drugs have a long history and are closely linked, like medical practice itself, with the belief in magic. Only during the last hundred years or so has the development of scientific techniques made it possible for some of the causes of symptoms to be understood, so that more accurate diagnosis has become possible. The doctor is now able to follow up the correct diagnosis of many illnesses with specific treatment of their causes. In many other illnesses, of which the causes remain unknown, it is still limited, like the unqualified prescriber, to the treatment of symptoms. The doctor is trained to decide when to treat symptoms only and when to attack the cause: this is the essential difference between medical prescribing and self-medication. The advance of technology has brought about much progress in some fields of medicine, including the development of scientific drug therapy. In many countries public health organization is improving and people's nutritional standards have risen. Parallel with such beneficial trends have two adverse effects. One is the use of high-pressure advertising by the pharmaceutical industry, which has tended to influence both patients and doctors and has led to the overuse of drugs generally. The other is the emergence of the sedentary society with its faulty ways of life: lack of exercise, over-eating, unsuitable eating, insufficient sleep, excessive smoking and drinking. People with disorders arising from faulty habits such as these, as well as from unhappy human relationships, often resort to self-medication and so add the taking of pharmaceuticals to the list. Advertisers go to great lengths to catch this market. Clever advertising, aimed at chronic sufferers who will try anything because doctors have not been able to cure them, can induce such faith in a preparation, particularly if steeply priced, that it will produce—by suggestion—a very real effect in some people. Advertisements are also aimed at people suffering from mild complaints such as simple colds and coughs, which clear up by themselves within a short time. These are the main reasons why laxatives, indigestion remedies, painkillers, tonics, vitamin and iron tablets and many other preparations are found in quantity in many households. It is doubtful whether taking these things ever improves a person's health; it may even make it worse. Worse because the preparation may contain unsuitable ingredients; worse because the taker may become dependent on them; worse because they might be taken in excess; worse because they may cause poisoning, and worse of all because symptoms of some serious underlying cause may be masked and therefore medical help may not be sought. 1. The first paragraph is intended to ________. [A] suggest that self-medication has a long history [B] define what diagnosis means exactly [C] praise doctors for their expertise [D] tell the symptoms from the causes
2013年7月日语能力考二级真题文法部分02
2013年7月日语能力考二级真题文法部分02 2013年7月日语能力考二级真题文法部分02。考生们在日语备考中都会看大量资料，做大量习题来提高日语水平，可是在能力考前还是不能确定自己的掌握情况，那就让往年二级真题来帮你检测一下吧! 問題8 次の文の__★__ に入る最もよいものを、1?2?3?4から一つ選びなさい。 45.この国でサッカー_____ _____ __★__ _____野球だ。 ① スポーツ② に次いで③といえば④人気のある 46.田中「あれ?木村さん、だいぶ髪が伸びましたね」 木村「ええ、半年前に_____ _____ __★__ _____ないんですよ。」 ①きり②一度も③切って④切った 47.私たちの学校には指導熱心な先生方が多いが、中でも、経験豊富な_____ _____ __★__ _____信頼も厚い。 ① 生徒は② 山田先生は③もとより④保護者からの 48.宇宙にはこれだけ_____ _____ __★__ _____としても不思議ではないと思う。 ① 多くの星がある② 生物がいた③ のだから④ どこかの星に 49.仕事の_____ _____ __★__ _____山田さんと林さんだが、プライベートではとても仲がいい。 ① 対立する② ことの③ 上では④ 多い 問題9 次の文章を読んで、文章全体の内容を考えて、50から54の中に入る最もよいものを、1?2?3?4から一つ選びなさい。 以下は、留学生が日本事情について書いた文章である。 日本における米食の変化 ヨハンソンダグ 日本食というと米の印象が強く、私は、日本人は米を一日三食食べていると思っていた。ところが日本に来てみると、( 50 )ので驚いた。 ある調査によると、1960年の日本の米の消費量は一人当たり年間約120キロだったが、2010年は約60キロだったという。この50年で米の消費量が半減したわけだ。けれども、50年で一日の食事の回数や総量が半減する( 51 )。では、どのような事情で米の消費量が半減したのか。
2011年12月英语四级真题及答案
2011年12月英语四级真题 Part Ⅰ Writing (30 minutes) 注意：此部分试题在答题卡1上． For this part, you are allowed 30 minutes to write a short essay entitled Nothing Succeeds Without a Strong Will by commenting on the humorous saying, "Quitting smoking is the easiest thing in the world. I've done it hundreds of times." You should write at least 120 words but no more than 180 words. Part II Reading Comprehension (Skimming and Scanning) Why Integrity Matters What 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 standards each day. One who has integrity is bound by and follows moral and ethical standards even when making life's 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 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 Business We are 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. Making ethical decisions is a critical part of avoiding future problems. We must learn to recognize risks, because if we can't see the risks we're taking, we can't make responsible choices. To identify risks, we need to know the rules and be aware of the facts. For example, one who doesn't know the rules 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 defense. "But Everybody Does It" Most people who get in trouble do know the rules and facts, but manage to fool themselves about the risks they're taking by using excuses: "Everyone else does it," "I'm not hurting anyone," or "I really need this grade." Excuses can get very elaborate: "I know I'm looking at another's exam, even though I'm supposed to keep my eyes on my own paper, but that's not cheating because I'm just checking my answers, not copying." We must be honest about our actions, and avoid excuses. If we fool ourselves into believing we're not doing anything wrong, we can't see the real choice we're making--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 you'd rather hide your actions, that's a good indication that you're taking a risk and rationalizing it to yourself.