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词汇提示

1.corruption 腐败

2.bribes 贿赂

3.kickbacks 回扣

4.nepotism 裙带关系

5.embezzlement 贪污

6.accused 控告

7.guilty 有罪

8.qualified 有资格

9.expense 花费

原文

Corruption

When an official of a government or business is acting dishonestly，we say that this person is corrupt.

Corruption is a serious problem in many countries around the world.

There are several different kinds of corrupt practices，including bribes，kickbacks，nepotism and embezzlement.

A bribe is a payment of money or some other benefit in exchange for a decision that would not otherwise be made.

For example，an accused criminal might bribe a judge so that the judge might make a decision of“no guilty”.

Another example is that a business owner might bribe a government official，so that the official would allow the construction of very unsafe buildings.

A kickback is similar to a bribe，except that the official receives some part of the money in a dishonest business deal.

For example，governments sometimes decide which company should build a road.

A company might offer some money to a government official who makes the decision，so that this company will be chosen，even if it is not the best company for the job.

Nepotism happens when an official unfairly gives advantages to his or her relatives.

For example，a government official might hire a brother or sister to do a job even though other people might be much better qualified for that job.

Of course，all of us want to help our relatives，but it is wrong to do this at the expense of the public.

Embezzlement happens when an official secretly steals some money from a company or government.

For example，a manager at a company might secretly move some of the company's money to his or her own bank account，and that manager might lie about his or her expenses in order to receive more payment from the company.

Corruption has very bad effects on people in several ways.

Sometimes it can lead to very dangerous situations.

One example of this is when unsafe construction projects are approved by officials who have been bribes.

Another example is when criminals are freed as a result of bribes.

Also，a country's economy can be damaged by corruption.

For example，if companies must pay bribes in order to do business，then they may decide to leave the country.

Also，if people's tax money is stolen by corrupt officials，this makes the people poorer.

In addition，when company officials are corrupt，it makes the company less able to compete with other companies.

How can corruption be stopped？

An important step is for each person to decide not to act in ways that are corrupt

People must agree to take this problem seriously.

Also，each company and each government must have strict rules about corruption

It must be very clear to all employees-from the lowest to the highest-that corruption is totally unacceptable.