of mine (a sales representative for a chemic al company) was making twice the salary of her college instructors her first yea r on the job-even before she completed her twoyear associate degree.
While it's true that we all need a career, it is equally true that our civilization has accumulated an incredible amount of knowledge in fields far removed from our own and that we are better for our understanding of these other contributions- be they scientific or artistic. It is equally true that, in studying the diverse wisdom of others, we learn how to think. More important, perhaps, education teaches us to see the connections between things, as well as to see beyond our immediate needs.
Weekly we read of unions who went on strike for higher wages, only to drive their employer out of business. No company: no job. How shortsighted in the long run !
But the most important argument for a broad education is that in studying the ac cumulated wisdom of the ages, we improve our moral sense. I saw a cartoon recently which shows a group of businessmen looking puzzled as they sit around a conference table; one of them is talking on the intercom (对讲机)："Miss Baxter ," he says, "could you please send in someone who can distinguish right from wrong?"
From the longterm point of view, that's what education really ought to be about.
16.According to the author's observation, college students __________ .
A) have never been so materialistic as today B) have never been so interested in the arts
C) have never been so financially well off as today D) have never attached so much importance to moral sense
17.The students' criteria for electing majors today have much to do with ________ .
A) the influences of their instructors B) the financial goals they seek in life
C) their own interpretations of the courses D) their understanding of the contributions of others
18.By saying "While it's true that... be they scientific or artistic" (Lines 1-3, Para. 5),the author means that _____.
A) business management should be included in educational programs
B) human wisdom has accumulated at an extraordinarily high speed
C) human intellectual development has reached new heights
D) the importance of a broad education should not be overlooked
19.Studying the diverse wisdom of others can ________ .
A) create varying artistic interests B) help people see things in their right perspective
C) help improve connections among people D) regulate the behavior of modern people
20.Which of the following statements is true according to the passage?
A) Businessmen absorbed in their career are narrowminded.
B) Managers often find it hard to tell right from wrong.
C) People engaged in technical jobs lead a more rewarding life.
D) Career seekers should not focus on immediate interests only.
Passage Three
Questions 21 to 25 are based on the following passage:
New technology links the world as never before. Our planet has shrunk. It's now a "global village" where countries are only seconds away by fax or phone satellite link. And, of course, our ability to benefit from this high-tech communications equipment is greatly enhanced by foreign language skills.
Deeply involved with this new technology is a breed of modern businesspeople who have a growing respect for the economic value of doing business abroad. In modern markets, success overseas often help support domestic business efforts.
Overseas assignments are becoming increasingly important to advancement within executive ranks. The executive stationed in another country no longer need fear being "out of sight and out of mind." He or she can be sure that the overseas effort is central to the company's plan for success, and that promotions often follow or accompany an assignment abroad. If an employee can succeed in a difficult assignment overseas, superiors will have greater confidence in his or her ability to cope back in the United Sates where crosscultural considerations and foreign language issues are becoming more and more prevalent (普遍的).
Thanks to a variety of relatively inexpensive communications devices with business applications, even small businesses in the United States are able to get into international markets.
English is still the international language of business. But there is an evergrowing need for people who can speak another language. A second language isn't generally required to get a job in business, but having language skills gives a candidate the edge when other qualifications appear to be equal.
The employee posted abroad who speaks the country's principal language has an opportunity to fastforward certain negotiations, and can have the cultural insight to know when it is better to move more slowly. The employee at the home office who can communicate well with foreign clients over the telephone or by fax ma chine is an obvious asset to the firm.
21.What is the author's attitude toward high-tech communications equipment ?
A) Critical. B) Indifferent. C) Prejudiced. D) Positive.
22.With the increased use of high-tech communications equipment, business people __________.
A) have to get familiar with modern technology B) are gaining more economic benefits from domestic operations
C) are attaching more importance to their overseas business D) are eager to work overseas
23.In this passage, "out of sight and out of mind" (Lines 23, Para. 3) probably means ________ .
A) being unable to think properly for lack of insight B) being totally out of touch with business at home
C) missing opportunities for promotion when abroad D) leaving all care and worthy behind
24.According to the passage, what is an important consideration of international corporations in employing people today?
A) Connections with business overseas. B) Ability to speak the client's language.
C) Technical knowhow. D) Business experience.
25.The advantage of employees having foreign language skills is that they can _______ .
A) better control the whole negotiation process B) easily find new approaches to meet market needs
C) fastforward their proposals to headquarters D) easily make friends with businesspeople abroad
Passage Four
Questions 26 to 30 are based on the following passage:
In recent years, Israeli consumers have grown more demanding as they've become wealthier and more wordly-wise. Foreign travel is a national passion; this summer alone, one in 10 citizens will go abroad. Exposed to higher standards of service elsewhere, Israelis are returning home expecting the same. American firms have also begun arriving in large numbers. Chains such as KFC, McDonald's and Pizza Hut are setting a new standard of customer service, using strict employee training and constant monitoring to ensure the friendliness of frontline staff. Even the American habit of telling departing customers to "Have a nice day" has caught on all over israel. "Nobody wakes up in the morning and say, 'Let's be nicer,'" says Itsik Cohen, director of a consulting firm. "Nothing happens without competition."
Privatization, or the threat of it, is a motivation as well. Monopolies(垄断者) that until recently have been free to take their customers for granted now fear what Michael Perry, a marketing professor, calls "the revengeful(报复的) consumer." When ghe government opened up competition with Bezaq, the phone company, its international branch lost 40% of its market share, even while offering competitive rates. Says Perry, "People wanted revenge for all the years of bad service." The electric company, whose monopoly may be shortlived, has suddenly stopped requiring users to wait half a day for a repairman. Now, appointments are scheduled to the halfhour. The graceless EI Al Airlines, which is already at auction(拍卖), has retrained its employees to emphasize service and is boasting about the results in an ad campaign with the slogan, "You can f eel the change in the air." For the first time, praise out numbers complaints on customer survey sheets.
26.It may be inferred from the passage that _________ .
A) customer service in Israel is now improving
B) wealthy Israeli customers are hard to please
C) the tourist industry has brought chain stores to Israel
D) Israel customers prefer foreign products to domestic ones
27.In the author's view, higher service standards are impossible in Israel ________ .
A) if customer complaints go unnoticed by the management B) unless foreign companies are introduced in greater numbers
C) if there's no competition 上一页 [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] 下一页 | 
