Question

Suppose you’re in a rush, feeling tired, not paying attention to your screen, and you send an email that could get you in trouble. Realisation will probably set in seconds after you’ve clicked “send”. You freeze in horrors and burn with shame. What to do? Here are four common email accidents, and how to recover.

Clicking “send” too soon

Don’t waste your time trying to find out if the receivers has read it yet. Write another email as swiftly as you can and send it with a brief explaining that this is the correct version and the previous version should be ignored.

Writing the wrong time

The sooner you notice, the better. Respond quickly and briefly, apologizing for your mistake. Keep the tone measured: don’t handle it too lightly, as people can be offended, especially if your error suggests a misunderstanding of their culture(i.e. incorrect ordering of Chinese names).

Clicking “reply all” unintentionally

You accidentally reveal (透露) to entire company what menu choices you would prefer at the staff Christmas dinner, or what holiday you’d like to take. In this instance, the best solution is to send a quick, light-hearted apology to explain your awkwardness. But it can quickly rise to something worse, when everyone starts hitting “reply all” to join in a long and unpleasant conversation. In this instance, step away from your keyboard to allow everyone to calm down.

Sending an offensive message to its subject

The most awkward email mistake is usually committed in anger. You write an unkind message about someone, intending to send it to a friend, but accidentally send it to the person you’re discussing. In that case, ask to speak in person as soon as possible and say sorry. Explain your frustrations calmly and sensibly—see it as an opportunity to clear up any difficulties you may have with this person.

1.If you have written the wrong name in an email, it is best to _______.

A. apologise in a serious manner    B. tell the receiver to ignore the error

C. learn to write the name correctly    D. send a short notice to everyone

2.What should you do when an unpleasant conversation is started by your “reply all” email?

A. Try offering other choices.    B. Avoid further involvement.

C. Meet other staff members.    D. Make a light-hearted apology.

3.What is the passage mainly about?

A. Defining email errors.    B. Reducing email mistakes.

C. Handling email accidents.    D. Improving email writing.

Answer

1. A

2. B

3. C

【解析】

这是一篇说明文，作者就如何处理四种常见的邮件事故提出了自己的建议。

1.细节理解题。由Writing the wrong time中的 “The sooner you notice, the better. Respond quickly and briefly, apologizing for your mistake.don’t handle it too lightly, as people can be offended, especially if your error suggests a misunderstanding of their culture(i.e. incorrect ordering of Chinese names).” 可知，你越早注意到，越好。快速简短地回应，为你的错误道歉。保持适度的语气:不要太轻率处理，因为人们可能会被冒犯，尤其是如果你的错误暗示了对他们文化的误解(即中文名字的顺序不正确)。 所以如果邮件上写错了名词，最好的方式是道歉。故A选项正确。

2.细节理解题。由Clicking “reply all” unintentionally中的“ In this instance, step away from your keyboard to allow everyone to calm down”可知，当你的“回复全部”邮件引发不愉快的对话时，你应该避免进一步介入，远离键盘，让每个人都冷静下来。故B选项正确。

3.主旨大意题。通读全文可知，作者就如何处理四种常见的邮件事故提出了自己的建议。这些都是围绕着“处理电子邮件事故”而展开的。故C选项正确。