When I was a law professor, a student reported that I made an error in grading his exam by giving him too many points. He was 36 , and after thanking him for his honesty, I changed the grade in my 37 . His beaming (欢笑的) face turned to shock. “You’re 38 my grade?” he said angrily. “I would never have come in 39 ……”
He didn’t finish the 40 , but it was obvious that his display of honesty was 41 . He thought he’d have it all—praise and the higher grade.
Several colleagues thought I should have let the higher grade 42 because all I’d accomplished was to discourage him from being 43 in the future. And every time I tell this story some people agree with this 44 .
But I can’t see how I could give good reason for worsening my 45 in grading by undermining (损害) the honesty of all my grades by failing to 46 an error. The grade itself would be a dishonest 47 of his knowledge and it would have been 48 to other students. How could I 49 give a student a gift of an unearned grade?
I know 50 reporting an error in one’s favor is unusual, but, like 51 too much change, it’s clearly the right thing to do. People of character, those with real honesty, hate to give up 52_ as much as anyone else. The difference is that for them a good conscience and reputation is _53 enough to give reason for the cost of doing the right thing.
Perhaps lowering the student’s grade did 54 him from being honest in the future, but bribing (贿赂) him to be honest so that he does the right thing when it’s cost-free would have _55 him even more. The duty to be honest is about right and wrong, not risks and rewards.
A.wise B.right C.grateful D.upset
A.files B.books C.records D.notes
A.lowering B.correcting C.changing D.making
A.though B.why C.where D.if
A.sentence B.work C.exam D.lesson
A.good B.false C.special D.impressive
A.remove B.change C.stand D.add
A.brave B.adventurous C.successful D.honest
A.remark B.complaint C.praise D.achievement
A.crime B.mistake C.doubt D.guilty
A.make B.find C.correct D.avoid
A.reaction B.sense C.sign D.reflection
A.unfair B.cruel C.tough D.funny
A.reluctantly B.responsibly C.impossibly D.impatiently
A.actively B.secretly C.voluntarily D.curiously
A.receiving B.paying C.earning D.returning
A.benefits B.honors C.awards D.gifts
A.pleasure B.reward C.content D.honor
A.protect B.influence C.discourage D.separate
A.improved B.encouraged C.blamed D.ruined