Years ago, I had a fling-out with a friend due to a misunderstanding that was completely my fault. I was afraid to _________ that I was wrong, so we didn’t speak for years. Then we came across each other, which was so _________. I felt forced to apologize for my _________ years earlier.

My experience isn’t unique. Many people _________ apologizing because the idea of admitting to wrongdoing makes them _________ uncomfortable. Apologies force us to admit to ourselves that we don’t always _________ our own standards. We might also fear that the victim (受害者) won’t _________ our apology. We all like to _________ ourselves as good people—kind, and considerate people. For these _________, an apology can be very difficult to give.

Given my experience, there is no __________ that an apology is an important tool for __________ a relationship to make it functional again. Usually, a(n) __________ apology is needed, but if the victim is angry at the wrong behavior, it may be more __________ to wait, because their __________ may stop them from accepting our apologies. Also a delay __________ an apology’s effectiveness because it conveys that the offender has time to reflect on his / her __________. But a heartfelt apology has more powerful effects, which can improve our mental health and repair our __________ personal relationships. __________, expressing regret is important. Without regret, you won’t truly reflect on your mistake.

My friend and I get on well after my delayed apology. Admitting that everything had been my fault helped us __________ our relationship. We’re both __________ to have our friendship today.

When I was 14, I invited some friends for a party at our home out in the country.

I planned it well, but something _________ happened.

When it was time for us to ride the bus, Nora, one of my friends, didn’t _________ I felt _________ Why would she tell me she’d come to the party and then _________ without letting me know? So, I decided to call Nora and get some _________, I needed no apologies but I demanded to know why.

Nora _________ she had to stay away from school because she was sick. Anger still seized me and I _________ to listen, “What kind of friend are you?”Nora began crying on the phone, hurt and surprised. For the rest of the school year, we _________ hung around again, and I forgot about my _________ call with Nora. __________ had happened   between us at some point, but I shrugged(抖肩)it off.

Years later, I began to reflect on that ugly phone conversation. Now, I __________ it. I recognized how selfish, and __________ I’d been, caring only about myself. I wanted to make things __________. I composed an apology letter to Nora and soon got her __________ So finally, we did bring a sad moment from the past to a __________ conclusion, healing both of us.

Jean is a clever young woman who comes from a rich and famous family. She goes to a(n) _______ university and has everything that money can buy. Well, _______ everything. The only problem is that the people in Jean’s family are so _______ that they can hardly find time to be with her.

So Jean _______ a lot of her time on MSN. She likes being anonymous (匿名的), _______ to people who do not know about her famous family and her _______ life. She used the name Linda on MSN and has _______ a lot of friends who she contacts quite _______.

Last year Jean made a very _______ friend on MSN. His name was David and he lived in San Francisco. David was full of stories and jokes. He and Jean had a common __________ in rock music and modern dance. __________ it always took them hours to talk __________ on MSN and sometimes they even __________ the time. Of course, they wanted to know more about each other. David __________ a picture of himself: a tall, good­looking young man with a big, happy smile. As __________ went by, they became good friends.

Later, Jean went to meet him but found that the special friend she had been contacting was a twelve­year­old boy named Jim.