吉林省四平市2014高考英语阅读理解巩固全程训练（22）及答案
[社会生活型阅读理解(二)]-----(一)
An “apple polisher” is one who gives gifts to win friendship or special treatment. It is not exac tly a bribe(贿赂), but is close to it.
All sorts of people are “apple polishers”， including politicians and people in high offices—just about everybody. Oliver Cromwell, the great English leader, offered many gifts to win the support of George Fox and his party, but failed.
The re are other phrases meaning the same thing as “applepolishing”—“softsoaping” or “butteringup”. A gift is just one way to “softsoap” somebody, or to “butter him up”. Another that is just as effective is flattery, giving someone high praise—telling him how good he looks, or how well he speaks, or how talented and wise he is.
Endless are the ways of flattery. Who does not love to hear it? Only an unusual man can resist the thrill of being told how wonderful he is. In truth, flattery is good medicine for most of us, who get so little of it.
We need it to be more sure of ourselve s. It cannot hurt unless we get carried away by it. But if we just lap it up for its good value an d nourishment, as a cat laps up milk, then we can still remain true to ourselves.
Sometimes, however, flattery will get you nothing from one who has had too much of it. A good example is the famous 12th century legend of King Canute of Denmark and England. The king got tired of listening to
