BEC商务英语高级考试阅读真题.doc

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BEC高级阅读真题(三)

BEC高级阅读真题(三)

PART THREE Questions 15 - 20 · Read the following article on recruiting and managing staff and the questions on the opposite page. · Each question has four suggested answers or ways of finishing the sentence, A, B, C and D. · Mark one letter A, B, C or D on your Answer Sheet, for the answer you choose. As a manager in the service industry sector, I've looked at hundreds of CVs in my time. They are not necessarily the bland documents some bosses might think they are! They are full of little pointers towards individuals personalities and suitability for the job. The first thing I always look at is an applicant s employment record. I check for continuity and stability. If somebody has a long list of previous jobs, all of varying length, alarm bells start ringing. Rather than an irregular route from job to job, what I hope to see is stable career progression. What does their career path look like - is it all steps forward, or are there a lot of sideways moves? And I am always pleased to find a family person with children, because in my experience they tend to be responsible and reliable. I never rely on CVs alone. We get applicants to fill in one of our own application forms. We ask why they've applied, what their aspirations and personal goals are, and also about their interests and hobbies and any clubs they belong to. That gives you a useful insight into their personality and lifestyle. The application form also enables us to test how much people have actually been progressing in their careers, because we ask for details of the salaries they have received for each job. It s always worth looking at CVs and designing application forms with great care. Taking on employees might be rewarding, but it is also a big investment for any business. Mistakes in choosing staff can cost companies dear, so it makes sense to spend time ensuring you get the right person. In the service sector, one of the aims of companies is to maintain and improve customer service, and this is achieved partly through low staff turnover. You need to take on people who understand that, and will want to stay. That s why, when you've taken staff on, the next thing is getting the best out of them. My management style comes from the days when I took over my first business, an ailing road haulage firm which I was certain I could turn into a profitable company. The first thing is to treat others as you d like to be treated yourself. As soon as I took over the business, I talked to everybody individually, and looked for ways to make sure their particular skills benefited the company. I didn't have much experience then of managing people, but above all I always tried to be fair and honest with everyone. As a result, I think the staff knew that and accepted my decisions, even if they didn't agree with them all. Also, bosses must be able to communicate. You also need to create team spirit, and build on the strength of the team. I explained my plans for the company to all the staff, and let them all know what I needed from them. The lorry drivers responded brilliantly, and were the key to turning the business round. They understood that we had to develop a professional reputation, and from then on the days of poor quality deliveries were over. Lastly, I am a great believer in profit-sharing. It takes a team to make a company work, so profits should be shared by all. Job satisfaction is important, but it doesn't pay the rent. Shared profit and bonuses help to strengthen team spirit by giving everyone a common goal that they work towards together. 15 What fact does the writer hope to learn from applicants CVs? A that they have experience of many different jobs B that their careers have developed steadily C the opinion their employers had of them D whether they are married or single 16 The writer says the application form is useful because it A reveals something of the applicant s character. B gives information about the applicant s family. C explains what skills the applicant has for the job. D shows how much the applicant wants to earn. 17 According to the writer, why are CVs and application forms so important? A Interviewing people is an expensive process. B They indicate whether applicants really want the job. C They indicate whether applicants are efficient or not. D Employing the wrong people can be disastrous. 18 One reason why the writer was successful in her first business was that A she was used to dealing with people. B she was open with the staff. C the business was already doing well when she started. D the staff agreed with all her decisions. 19 The writer believes profit-sharing is a good idea because A it encourages a competitive spirit. B everyone earns the same salary. C everyone shares the same aim. D it creates job satisfaction. 20 Which would make the best title for this text? A Profit-sharing as motivation B How I turned a business round C People - the key to business success D The importance of a well-presented CV。

最新商务英语BEC高级考试阅读试题及答案

最新商务英语BEC高级考试阅读试题及答案

最新商务英语BEC高级考试阅读试题及答案最新商务英语BEC高级考试阅读试题及答案l Look at the statements below and at the five reports about companies on the opposite page from an article giving advice to self-employed consultants about negotiating fees for their services.l Which book (A, B, C,D or E) dose each statement 1 –8 refer to ?l For each statement ! – 8, make one letter (A, B, C,D or E) on your Answer Sheet.l You will need to use some of these letters more than once.Example :0 Lack of self-confidence will put you at a disadvantage in a negotiation .0A B C D E1. This company has been involved in diversifying its business act6ivities.2. Although this company is doing well, it has a number of internal difficulties to deal with.3. This company has reduced the profits it makes on individual items.4. One statistic is a less accurate guide to this company’s performance than another.5. The conditions which have helped this company are likely to be less favourable in the future.6. This company’s share price has been extremely volatile over the last twelve months.7. This company is likely to be the subject of a takeover bid in the near future.8. This company’s performance exemplifies a widely held belief.参考答案:1 D2 B3 E4 A5 D6 C7 E8 C。

商务英语-BEC高级阅读真题

商务英语-BEC高级阅读真题

商务英语:BEC高级阅读真题5PART SIXQuestions 41 - 50·In most lines of the following text, there is one unnecessary word. It is either grammatically incorrect or does not fit in with the sense of the text.· For each numbered line 41 - 50, find the unnecessary word and then write the word in CAPITAL LETTERS on your Answer Sheet. Some lines are correct. If a line is correct, write CORRECT on your Answer Sheet. The exercise begins with two examples (0) and (00).Customer care0 Apart from ensuring that an efficient electricity supply for our00 customers, NatElectric provides an invaluable service in other areas41 as well. While our Customer Helpline (charged at local rates) is the42 first point of contact with when you want to make an enquiry and43 we receive a huge number of calls from customers - on44 average, there are 50 000 calls a one week. Available 24 hours45 a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, our Helpline on advisors46 aim at to answer 95 per cent of all calls within 15 seconds. There47 are more than 200 advisors, working in around the clock to48 provide for this service, backed by a further 80 support staff49 who do handle any necessary paperwork. Although our target50 is to reply to letters within 10 working days, NatElectric regularly responds withinthree to four days, and we are especially proud of the standards achieved by ourcustomer relations team.。

商务英语BEC考试高级阅读真题及答案

商务英语BEC考试高级阅读真题及答案

商务英语BEC考试高级阅读真题及答案商务英语BEC考试高级阅读真题及答案Questions 21 -30Read the article below about expanding a retail business.Choose the correct word to fill each gap from (A, B, C or D) on the opposite page.For each question 21-30,mark one letter (A, B, C or D) on your Answer Sheet.There is an example at the beginning, (0)Should you open a second branch?Choosing to expand your business by opening a second location can be one of the best deci sions you’ll ever (0)____, or one of the worst. Before you (21)____ at a decision, there are several things you should check to see if you are ready to take this big step towards expansion.Firstly –your cash flow. Like starting up any business, a second location (22)____ a large initial investment and usually takes a long time to turn a profit. Look at your firm’s accounts carefully. If these (23)____ that you cannot afford a long-term drain on your financial resources, then it is probably better to wait.Secondly –your personnel and systems. If you don’t have a management team (24)____ place already, you should probablythink about establishing one before opening a second branch. The same (25)____ in the case of operating systems and controls. The better organized your business now, the better organized your second location will be, too.Also, you need to think about your market. Is your current site doing as much business as it can (26)____, or are there ways you could grow without opening a second branch? Try expanding internally first. Similarly, don’t (27)____ that just because your business is successful in one town, it will immediately succeed in a (28)____ community. Research your potential markets before setting up shop, and (29)____ your new branch to answer the specific needs of these markets.Finally, be realistic about the time you need to invest to make a second location work. You don’t want to take (30)____ so much work that you can’t honour your commitments.Example :A haveB decideC doD make0 A B C D21 A arrive B come C reach D approach22 A contains B includes C involves D consists23 A tell B present C show D exhibit24 A at B in C by D to25 A applies B refers C concerns D relates26 A deal B hold C handle D cope27 A assume B trust C rely D count28 A connecting B neighbouring C surrounding D matching29 A invent B amend C design D innovate30 A through B up C down D on参考答案:21-25 A C C B A26-30 C A B C D21.选e后应该用to。

(完整word版)《BEC高级真题集》TEXT1

(完整word版)《BEC高级真题集》TEXT1

Text 1Reading 1 hourPART ONEQuestions 1 – 8●Look at the statements below and at the five reports about companies on the opposite pagefrom an article giving advice to self-employed consultants about negotiating fees for their services.●Which book (A, B, C,D or E) dose each statement 1 –8 refer to ?●For each statement ! – 8, make one letter (A, B, C,D or E) on your Answer Sheet .●You will need to use some of these letters more than once .1.This company has been involved in diversifying its business act6ivities.2.Although this company is doing well, it has a number of internal difficulties to deal with3.This company has reduced the profits it makes on individual items4.One statistic is a less accurate guide to this company’s performance than another5.The conditions which have helped this company are likely to be less favourable in the future6.This company’s share price has been extremely volatile over the last twelve months7.This company is likely to be the subject of a takeover bid in the near future8.This company’s performance exemplifies a widely held beliefAChemical CompanyMasterson’s interim pre-tax profits growth of 20% was somewhat inflated as a result of the income received from the disposal of several of the company’s subsidiaries. The underlying 8% rise in operating profits is a more realistic gauge of the company’s true progress. However, Masterson’s impending merger with Bentley and Knight and its appointment of a new chief executive should mean that the company will be able to sustain growth for the foreseeable fut5ure. The share price has varied little during the course of the year and now stands at £6.75BHotel GroupDuring the past year the Bowden Hotel Group has acquired 77 new properties, thus doublingin size . last week the group reported pre-tax profits of £88 million in the first six months of the year, ahead of expectations and helped by a strong performance from its London-based hotels and newly expanded US business. However. There is still some way to go. Integration of the new acquisitions is still not complete and, while the share price has risen recently, major problems with integration have yet to be solved.CHigh-tech CompanyThis time last year a share in Usertech was worth just over £1. six months ago it was worth £40. today it is priced at under £8 . if proof were need, here is an illustration of how much of a lottery the technology market can be. But some technology companies are fighting back and Usertech is one of them . What has renewed excitement in the company is the opening of its new American offices in Dallas and its ambitious plans to expand its user base in both North and Latin America.DBuilding CompanyRenton’s share price has risen gradually over the past year from £2.4 to £3.8 . The company has been successful in choosing prime location for its buildings and has benefited from the buoyant demand for housing. Whilst this demand is expected to slow down somewhat during the next year, investors are encouraged by the company’s decision to move into building supermarkets. Work has already begun on two sites in London, and the company is expected to sign a contract within the next month for building four large supermarkets in Scotland.EPottery ManufacturerMilton Dishes has been through a shake-up over the past year. The group, which has been cutting margins and improving marketing, may post a small profit this year. The many members of the Milton family, who between them own 58 per cent of the business, have been watching the share price rise steadily and several are looking to sell. Trade rival Ruskin has bought up just over 17 percent of the shares and could well be spurred into further action by the signs of a recovery at the firm.PART TWOQuestions9– 14●Read the text about career-planning services.●Choose the best sentence from the opposite page to fill each of the gaps .●For each gap 9– 14, mark one letter (A-H) on your Answer Sheet .●Do not use any letter more than once .●There is an example at the beginning .(0)●Your Career Path Can Lead You AnywhereWe used to be advised to plan our careers. We were told to make a plan during the later stages of our education and continue with it through our working lives.(0)_____ some people still see careers in this way. However, to pursue a single option for life has always been unrealistic.Planning for a single career assumes that we set out with a full understanding of our likes and dislikes and the employment opportunities open to us. (9)____ For most people this degree of certainty about the future does not exist.Our initial choice of career path and employer is often based on inadequate knowledge and false perceptions. But with age and experience, we develop new interests and aptitudes and our priorities alter. The structure of the employment market and, indeed of employment itself, is subject to change as both new technologies and new work systems are introduced (10) _____ We must face the uncertainties of a portfolio career.It is clear from the recent past that we cannot foresee the changes which will affect our working lives. The pace of change is accelerating , as a result of which traditional career plans will be of very limited use. (11)_____ They will need updating to reflect changes in our own interests as well as in the external work environment. Flexible workers already account for about half the workforce. (12)______ We are likely to face periods as contract workers, self-employed freelances, consultants, temps or part-timers.Many employers encourage staff to write a personal development development (PDP) (13) Although some people use it only to review the skills needed for their job, a PDP could be the nucleus of wider career plan –setting out alternative long-term learning needs and a plan of self-development.A report issued by the Institute of Employment Studies advises people to enhance their employability by moving from traditional technical skills towards the attainment of a range of transferable skills. (14) Instead, special schemes should be established to encourage people to examine their effectiveness and to consider a wider range of needs.A This dual effect means that the relationship between employers and workers has evolved to such and extent that we can no longer expect a long-term relationship with one employer.B. It carries an implicit assumption that we ourselves, and the jobs we enter, will change little during our working lives.C. This growth suggests that a career plan should not be expressed only in terms of full-time employment but should make provision for the possibility of becoming one of the.D this is a summary of one’s personal learning needs and an action plan to meet them.E Consequently, they must now accommodate a number of objectives and enable us to prepare for each on a contingency basis.F However, it warns that employers often identify training needs through formal appraisals, which take too narrow a view of development.G . Such a freelance of consultant would be constantly in demand.H We were expected to work towards that one clear goal and to consider a career change as a bad thing.PART THREEQuestions 15– 20Read the following article on negotiating techniques and the question on the opposite page . For each question 15 – 20 , mark one letter (A, B, C or D ) on your Answer Sheet for the answer you choose.The Negotiating Table:You can negotiate virtually anything. Projects, resources, expectations and deadlines are all outcomes of negotiation. Some people negotiate deals for a living. Dr Herb Cohen is one of these professional talkers, called in by companies to negotiate on their behalf . He approaches the art of negotiation as a game because, as he is usually negotiating for somebody else, he says this helps him drain the emotional content from his conversation. He is working in a competitive field and needs to avoid being too adversarial. Whether he succeeds or not, it is important to him to make a good impression so that people will recommend him.The starting point for any deal, he believes, is to identify exactly what you want from each other. More often than not, one party will be trying to persuade the other round to their point of view. Negotiation requires two people at the end saying ‘yes”. This can be a problem because one of them usually begins by saying “no”. However, although this can make talks more difficult, this is often just a starting point in the negotiation game. Top management may well reject the idea initially because it is the safer option but they would not be there if they were not interested.It is a misconception that skilled negotiators are smooth operators in smart suits. Dr Cohen says that one of his strategies is to dress down so that the other side can relate to you. Pitch your look to suit your customer. You do not need to make them feel better than you but, For example, dressing in a style that is not overtly expensive or successful will make you more approachable. People will generally feel more comfortable with somebody who appears to be like them rather than superior to them. They may not like you but they will feel they can trust you.Dr Cohen suggests that the best way to sell your proposal is by getting into the world of the other side. Ask questions rather than give answers and take an interest in what the other person is saying, even if you think what they are saying is silly. You do not need to become their best friends but being too clever will alienate them. A lot of deals are made on impressions. Do not rush what you are saying---put a few hesitations in , do not try to blind them with your verbal dexterity. Also, you should repeat back to them what they have said to show you take them seriously.Inevitably some deals will not succeed. Generally the longer the negotiations go on, the better chance they have because people do not want to think their investment and energies have gone to waste. However , joint venture can mean joint risk and sometimes , if this becomes too great , neither party may be prepared to see the deal through . More common is a corporate culture clash between companies, which can put paid to any deal. Even having agreed a deal, things may not be tied up quickly because when the lawyers get involved, everything gets slowed down as they argue about small details.De Cohen thinks that children are the masters of negotiation. Their goals are totally selfish. They understand the decision-making process within families perfectly. If Mum refuses their request , they will troop along to Dad and pressure him. If al else fails, they will try thegrandparents, using some emotional blackmail. They can also be very single-minded and have an inexhaustible supply of energy for the cause they are pursuing. So there are lesson to be learned from watching and listening to children.15 Dr Cohen treats negotiation as a game in order toA put people at easeB remain detachedC be competitiveD impress rivals16 Many people say “no” to a suggestion in the beginning toA convince the other party of their point of viewB show they are not really interestedC indicate they wish to take the easy optionD protect their company’s situation17 Dr Cohen says that when you are trying to negotiate you shouldA adapt your style to the people you are talking toB make the other side feel superior to youC dress in a way to make you feel comfortable.D try to make the other side like you18 According to Dr Cohen, understanding the other person will help you toA gain their friendshipB speed up the negotiationsC plan your next move.D convince them of your point of view19 Deals sometimes fail becauseA negotiations have gone on too longB the companies operate in different waysC one party risks more than the other.D the lawyers work too slowly20 Dr Cohen mentions children’s negotiation techniques to show that you shouldA be prepared to try every routeB try not to make people feel guiltyC be careful not to exhaust yourselfD control the decision-making process.PART FOURQuestions 21 -30●Read the article below about the methods some companies are now using for recruitment.●Choose the correct word to fill each gap from (A, B, C or D) on the opposite page.●For each question 21-30,mark one letter (A, B, C or D) on your Answer Sheet.●There is an example at the beginning, (0)The Scientific Approach to RecruitmentWhen it (0) to selecting candidates through interview, more often than not the decision is made within the first five minutes of a meeting. Yet employers like to (21) themselves that they are being exceptionally thorough in their selection processes. In today’s competitive market place, the (22) of staff in many organizations is fundamental to the company’s success and, as a result , recruiters use all means at their disposal to (23) the best in the field.One method in particular that has (24) in popularity is testing , either psychometric testing, which attempts to define psychological characteristics , or abilit y£aptitude testing (25) an organization with an extra way of establishing a candidate’s suitability for a role. It (26) companies to add value by identifying key elements of a position and then testing candidates to ascertain their ability against those identified elements.The employment of psychometric or ability testing as one (27) of the recruitment process may have some merit, but in reality there is no real (28), scientific or otherwise, of the potential future performance of any individual. The answer to this problem is experience in interview techniques and strong definition of the elements of each position to be (29) as the whole recruitment process is based on few real certainties, the instinctive decisions that many employers make, based on a CT and the first five minutes of a meeting, are probably no less valid than any21.A suggest B convince C advise D believe22.A worth B credit C quality D distinction23.A secure B relies C attain D achieve24.A lifted B enlarged C expanded D risen25.A provides B offers C contributes D gives26.A lets B enables C agrees D admits27. A portion B member C share D component28. A extent B size C amount D measure29.A occupied B met C filled D appointed30 A business B topic C point D affairQuestions 31 -40PART FIVEQuestions31-40●Read the article below about a very expensive new perfume. .●For each question 31-40, write one word in CAPITAL LETTERS on your Answer Sheet . There is an example at the beginning, (0)Sweet smell of excess-for just £47.874 a bottleThe marketing says it is the “ ultimate symbol of indulgence and truly impeccable taste”. A new scent, named V1, has (0) launched for Christmas-retailing at just £47.874 . The makers are proudly promoting it (31) ,the “ world’s most expensive perfume” and are confident of selling the limited edition of 173 bottles-(32) it should be exactly 173 bottles is not made clear in the publicity for the product.Although carefully priced at just under the £50.000 mark, this perfume is clearly (33) something for anyone who considers £30 too much to pay for a bottle of eau-de-toilette. Those (34) are potential customers will certainly be reassured to learn that a case covered in rubies and diamonds is included free (35) charge. Purchasers are assured of further savings, with unlimited scent refills guaranteed indefinitely- at no extra cost.The fragrance is the idea of Arfaq Hussain, a 27-year-old clothes designer who first made a name (36) himself with an air-conditioned jacket he was asked to make by the singer Michael Jackson (37) far, Mr Jackson is the only person to (38) placed an order- he wants two, according to Mr Hussain.Mr Hussain is unconcerned at having no previous experience of perfumery . “It’s so (39) more than a perfume ---- it’s a piece of jewellery, too. ““ explained Mr Hussain. He attempted to describe the £47.874 sensation . “ it is delicate , fragrant and quite unique. When you open the lid, it takes you totally away . It’s just (40) being surrounded by thousands of wild flowers and roses.PART SIXQuestions41 - 52●Read the text below about team-based pay●In most of the lines 41 - 52 there is one extra word. It is either grammatically incorrect ofdoes not fit in with the sense of the text. Some lines, however,are correct .●If a line is correct, write CORRECT on your Answer Sheet.●If there is an extra word in the line ,write the extra word in CAPITAL LETTERS on yourAnswer Sheet .●The exercise begins with two examples, (0) and (00) .Team-Based Pay0 Team-based pay schemes that have been catching the eye of modern employers.00 Supporters say that they encourage group endeavour and improve 41 organizational performance. But salespeople, typically the most self-motivated42 of workers, they have traditionally been rewarded according to individual43 performance. So are team-based schemes suitable ? The key issue is44 whether team-based pay is more being in line with the organization’s objectives45 than pay which based on individual achievement. Introducing a team pay46 scheme can be complex. The biggest problem is for defining the team in the first47 place. Another is that team pay schemes won’t work if the actionsOf one48 individual make no impact on those of another. You should need a true team.49 like a football team. Where all the members are interdependent. When sales staff50 can be less receptive to team pay schemes because personal motivation can51 be an important boost to performance What they need is their encouragement52 to perceive that the wider term of the company overall : production, administration and dispatch all affect each other.Writing 1 hour 10 minutesPart oneQuestion 1●The graphs below show the performance of a European country’s manufacturing and agriculturalSectors in terms of exports and imports between 1991 and 2001.●Using the information from the graphs, write a short report describing the general movements in exports, imports and the resulting balance of trade●Write 120-140 wordsPart two:Write an answer to ONE of the questions 2-4 in this part. Write your answer in 200-250 words. Question 2:●The Managing Director of your company or organization has announced that reports on performance are to be produced by all departments. Your Hear of Department has asked you to produce the report about your department for the Managing Director.●Write the report for the Managing Director, explaining:A What aspects of your department function most effectivelyB Which aspect is most in need of improvementC How this improvement could be achievedQuestion 3●You work for an employment agency. The following is part of a letter you have received from a customer:The temporary administrative assistant you sent us was totally unacceptable. I certainly will not be using your agency again when I need temporary staff.●Write a letter to the customer:A apologising for having sent the unsatisfactory temporary workerB giving reasons for what happenedC explaining why what happened was exceptionalD offering some sort of compensation to the customerQuestion 4●Your Managing Director has decided that the company’s website should be improved and has asked you to consider ways of going about this.●Write a proposal for the Managing Director:A Sunmarising the strengths and weaknesses the current websiteB suggesting new services and information to be provided through the websiteC explaining the benefits the improvements would bring.ListeningPart one:Question 1-12●You will hear a consultant giving a talk to a group of UK business people about exporting to the United Arab Emirates (UAE)●As you listen, for questions 1-12. complete the notes, using up to three words or a number. ●.After you have listened once, replay the recording.The business Master ClassArrangements for participants1 The event will take place over2 Seminar organized by3 The title of the last session will be4 To use the New City Hotel car park, delegates must obtain aDr Sangalli5 Dr Sangalli has advised many6 The name of his consultancy is7 He is the author of8 In Europe, he is the best-knownThe Business Master Class9 to become more10 to establish newTwo outcomes of session:11 design your own12 take away documents containing actualPart twoQuestions 13-22●You will here five different business people talking about trips they have recently been on.14151617A to supervise staff trainingB to hold job interviewsC to introduce new policyD to visit possible new premisesE to observe working practicesF to meet a new managerG to sign a new contractH to deal with a complaintTask two-problem●For question 18-22, match the extracts with the problem, listed A –H●For each extract, choose the problem described●write one letter (A-H) next to the number of the extract1819202122A I forgot a documentB My hotel was noisyC I was late for meeting.D I didn’t understand some figures.E The service at my hotel was bad.F I had some wrong informationG I didn’t have an interpreter.H I experienced computer problems.PART THREEQuestion 23-30.●You will hear part of a conversation between a management consultant and the Human Resources manager of Jenkins, a company which manufactures children’s clothing.23 What is said about the ownership of Jenkins?A the founder has sold the company to someone else.B Jenkins has merged with another companyC There has been no change of ownership.24 What does the Human Resources manager see as the main external threat to Jenkins?A Their retailers are becoming less willing to pay their prices.B Consumers are buying more top-of-the-range children’s clothes.C More and more companies are producing children’s clothes.25 The Human Resources manager sees the company’s main strength as the fact thatA It has several long-term contractsB it makes products of high qualityC its distribution system is efficient26 The Human Resources manager believes that Jenkins’ main weakness at present is thatA the machinery is inadequate for current requirementsB the management style is out of line with modern demandsC the relation between management and workers are poor.27 According to the Human Resources manager, why do many machinists choose to leave?A They think that they can get better paid work elsewhere.B They feel that too much is expected of themC They lack confidence in the company’ future28 When working to produce a batch of clothesA each team is responsible for a particular operationB each member of the team produces a complete itemC each person carries out one part of the production process29. What change has been made to range of goods?A A smaller number of items is producedB Each item is now made in smaller quantities.C Fewer new styles are introduced each year.30 What is said about the machinists?A More of their work is falling below the required standard.B Some of them are earning less than they used to.C They have to spend longer learning to operate new machines.That is the end of the Listening test. You now have ten minutes to transfer your answersSpeaking 16 minutesPart one:In this part, the interlocutor asks question on a number of work-related and non-work related subjects to each candidate in turn. You have to give information about yourself and express personal opinions.Part twoThe candidate chooses one topic and speaks about it for approximately one minute. One minute’s preparation time is allowed.A Customer relations: the importance of making customers feel valuedB company growth : the importance to a company of controlling expansionC Marketing: how to ensure that agents maintain a high level of effectiveness when representinga companyPart Three:In this part of the test, candidates are given a topic to discuss and are allowed 30 seconds to look at the prompt card, before talking together for about three minutes.Afterwards, the examiner asks more questions related to the topic.For two candidatesStaff Suggestion SchemeYour company is planning to introduce a suggestion scheme and to encourage members of staff at all levels to contribute ideas. You have been asked to consider ways of setting up the scheme.Discuss, and decide together:●How to set up the scheme so that all staff feel they can contribute●How suggestions from members of staff could be evaluated.For three candidatesStaff suggestion scheme:You company is planning to introduce a suggestion scheme and to encourage members of staff at all levels to contribute ideas. You have been asked to consider ways of setting up the scheme. Discuss, and decide together:●How to set up the scheme so that all staff feel they can contribute●How suggestions from members of staff could be evaluated●What kinds of rewards would be suitable for suggestions made.Follow-on questions :●Which kinds of companies can benefit most from suggestion schemes?(why?)●What other methods can companies use to generate ideas for improvements?●What other ways are there of increasing staff involvement in a company?●In what ways can companies obtain suggestion or comments from customers?●How important are new ideas for companies in maintaining competitiveness? Why?TEST 1 KEYKeyTest 1 Reading1 D2 B3 E4 A5 D6 C7 E8 CPart 29 B 10 A 11E 12C 13D 14FPart 315 B16D 17A 18D19B 20 APart 421 B 22C 23 A 24 D25 A26-30 B D D C APart 531- 35 AS WHY NOT/ HARDL Y WHO/ THAT OF36-40 FOR SO/ THUS HAVE MUCH LIKEPART 641-45 CORRECT THEY CORRECT BEING WHICH46-50 FOR CORRECT SHOULD WHEN CORRECT51-52 THEIR THATTest WRITINGSAMPLE AThis report describes the movements of the balance of trade between 1991 and 2001 , for a particular country, concerning manufacturing and agriculture.Manufacturing:Imports increased constantly during this period. The figure shows a rise of $ 4 bn within the whole period and no fluctuations are to be remarked.Exports rose from nearly $ 3 bn in 1991 to approximately $7 bn in 2001 , suffering minor fluctuations all the way through. In general, the balance of trade remained slightly positive through the period considered.Agriculture:Imports increased slightly, ending the period around $1 bn over their starting level. They suffered a temporary fall between 1992 and 1994 , followed by a steady recovery. After peaking at around $2.5 bn in 1999, imports fell slightly to their final value.Exports figure shows the same performance although at level $4bn higher than imports.Consequently, the balance of trade remained markedly positive throughout the period.Band 4All content points are included. There is a relatively natural use of language and a good range of structure, despite some inaccuracy. There is also evidence of a wide range of vocabulary and the report is well organized.Sample BIntroduction:The aim of this report is to describe the imports an exports of the Manufacturing and Agricultural sectors in the years 1991-2001 in European contry’sManufacturing ImportsIn the first year (1991) the imports were just above $2 bn, at the end of 2001, the imports were almost on the $ 6 bn.Manufacturing ExportsIn 1991 were just below the $ 3TEST 1PART11 THREE DAYS2 CLOBAL CONFERENCES PLCTOMORROW’S SOFTWAREPERMITLARGE CORPORATIONSLOGIC SOLUTIONSINTELLIGENT CHANGEIT ANAL YSTCUSTOMER DRIVENORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURESFRAMEWORK FOR ACTIONCASE STUDIESPARTF C D B E A B F C DPART3C A B C B C B A。

商务英语BEC高级阅读真题及答案

商务英语BEC高级阅读真题及答案

PART ONEQuestions 1 - 8·Look at the sentences below and at five passages taken from a book about famousmanagement thinkers on the opposite page.·Which passage does each sentence refer to?·For each sentence 1 - 8, mark one letter A1 B, C, D or E on your Answer Sheet.·You will need to use some of these letters more than once.Example:0ABCDE1 Others in his field think very highly of him.2 His ideas have spread beyond the business world.3 He felt that people should be able to enjoy their work.4 His ideas are more complex than they seem.5 He did a variety of interesting things before writing his books.6 His most successful book was written with a colleague.7 He is particularly skilled at forecasting important developments.8 Contact with the military was an early influence on his thinking.A John AdairAdair is the pioneering British thinker in the theory of leadership. He was the first person in the UK to hold a professorship in Business Leadership and has published a series of influential books on the subject.Despite his quiet appearance, Adair has had a colourful life, serving in aBedouin regiment and working on an Arctic fishing boat! His initial interest inleadership came from his army experience and he used to lecture at the highlyprestigious academy where British army offices are trained. He now works asan international consultant.B Edward de BonoDe Bono is unusual among major gurus for two reasons: firstly, he was bornnot in one of the great industrial nations but on the tiny island of Malta. Secondly,his ideas have reached a wider audience than just managers, so that hisbooks have become essential rending in many different disciplines.Most of de Bono s work has been concerned with the way human beings can train themselves to think more creatively. This apparently simple idea has resulted in37 books and a highly successful career as a lecturer and consultant.management as a serious area of study. Certainly, his fellow management thinkersconsider him one of the founding fathers of the discipline, and his books and articles are quoted more than those of any other management writer.His first book was published as far back as 1939, yet he is still writing and teaching. His greatest distinction has been his ability to predict coming trendsin business and economics. As a result, his ideas are treated with the greatestrespect and interest.D Frederick HerzbergAlthough relatively few contemporary management students will have read hisbooks, Herzberg s nameis instantly recognisable to anyone who has studied industrial organisations. This is because the American psychologist was responsible forintroducing the concept of motivation into management thinking.As a young man, Herzberg became deeply interested in mental illness and the human need for mental and emotional satisfaction.This led him to criticise the approach of many companies to job design, and to argue for the need for job enrichment tostimulate employees efforts.E Tom PetersThe American s reputation was created in the I 980s by the spectacular successof one book, In Search of Excellence,co-written with Robert Waterman. The two were working together as management consultants and no-one expected their first(and only) book to end up selling 5 million copies worldwide!Although his ideas have been criticised, Peters popularity as a speaker andwriter has continued to grow. So much so that Peters has created his own businessto market books, videos and consultancy based on his work.PART TWOQuestions 9 - 14·Read this text from an article about health clubs.·Choose the best sentence from the opposite page to fill ineach of the gaps.·For each gap 9 - 14, mark one letter A - H on your Answer Sheet.·Do not use any letter more than once.·There is an example at the beginning (0).Travel stress brings boom to health clubsA rapid growth in business travel has provided a lucrative spin-offfor British health clubs as companies try to prevent hard-workingexecutives from suffering travel-related stress.Health clubs are fully booked throughout the coming months all around the country and many are planning to expand their facilities.0 H According to Gillie Turner, group marketing manager for the Champneysgroup of health clubs,during the last recession executives lost manyof their extra benefits as companies cut back. . 9 She says that large companies also seem to have decided that it is no good sending someoneto a country like Spain as a reward for doing a good job, because theywill simply eat too much and flop onto a beach. . 10Champneys,the companyacknowledged as the market leader in this field, is now planning to introduce a special "Profiting from Stress" course,which will run over three days. . 11 Jonathon Stapleton,general managerof Champneys, says that modern corporate life being what it is, mostbusiness travellers find that they are having to do the work which - even a yearago - was done by two. 12To meet this new demand, other health clubs are also thinking ofintroducing similar schemes. Clare Brandish, the sales and marketingdirector of another health club, has noticed a marked change in theclientele at her club. . 13Businesses of all kinds are anxious to reduce absenteeism.. 14 Much of the problem is caused by long periods away from home, irregular hours, business entertaining and jet lag.According to the Guild of Business Travel Agents, sales ofbusiness-class airline tickets have risen by 12%in the past year,hotel bookings have gone up by 36%and car hire has risen by 24%. Dave Reynolds, the GBTA chief executive, says that the trouble is that the same numberof people are being asked to travel more often. He comments that it isnowonder they need to take a break in a health club.A It has been calculated that about 40million working days are losteach year in Britain because of stress, ten times as many as are lost 10industrial disputes.B This has involved a considerable rise in the number of businessbookings, whereas previously most clients came as private individuals.C Now they are being restored, as industry realises that the healthof its executives is vital.D But who will benefit most from these developments?E Because of the pressures this imposes, many companies have nowdecided that it is worthwhile paying for their senior executives to take a proper break and get advice on how to combat stress.F Executives taking part in it will be given massages and healthtreatments, workouts and a range of talks on how to deal with stress,especially when travelling.G So what s the reason for this now trend?PART THREEQuestions 15 - 20·Read the following article on recruiting and managing staffand the questions on the opposite page.·Each question has four suggested answers or ways of finishing the sentence, A, B, C and D.·Mark one letter A, B, C or D on your Answer Sheet, for the answeryou choose.As a manager in the service industry sector,I've looked at hundredsof CVsin my time.They are not necessarily the bland documents somebosses might think they are! They are full of little pointers towards individuals personalities and suitability for the job. The first thing I always look at is an applicant s employment record. I check for continuity andstability. If somebody has a long list of previous jobs, all of varyinglength, alarm bells start ringing. Rather than an irregular route fromjob to job, what I hope to see is stable career progression. What doestheir career path look like- is it all steps forward,or are there a lot of sideways moves? And I am always pleased to find a family person withchildren, because in my experience they tend to be responsible andreliable.I never rely on CVs alone. We get applicants to fill in one of ourown application forms.Weask why they've applied,what their aspirations and personal goals are, and also about their interests and hobbies andany clubs they belong to. That gives you a useful insight into theirpersonality and lifestyle. The application form also enables us to testhow much people have actually been progressing in their careers,because we ask for details of the salaries they have received for each job.It s always worth looking at CVs and designing application forms with great care. Taking on employees might be rewarding, but it is also a biginvestment for any business.Mistakes in choosing staff can cost companies dear, so it makes sense to spend time ensuring you get the right person.In the service sector, one of the aims of companies is to maintainand improve customer service, and this is achieved partly through lowstaff turnover. You need to take on people who understand that, and will want to stay. That s why, when you've taken staff on, the next thing isgetting the best out of them.My management style comes from the days when I took over my firstbusiness, an ailing road haulage firm which I was certain I could turninto a profitable company. The first thing is to treat others as you dlike to be treated yourself.As soon as I took over the business,I talked to everybody individually, and looked for ways to make sure theirparticular skills benefited the company.I didn't have much experience then of managing people,but above all I always tried to be fair and honest with everyone. As a result, I thinkthe staff knew that and accepted my decisions, even if they didn't agreewith them all. Also, bosses must be able to communicate. You also needto create team spirit,and build on the strength of the team. I explained my plans for the company to all the staff, and let them all know what Ineeded from them. The lorry drivers responded brilliantly, and were thekey to turning the business round. They understood that we had to develop a professional reputation, and from then on the days of poor qualitydeliveries were over.Lastly, I am a great believer in profit-sharing. It takes a team tomake a company work, so profits should be shared by all.Job satisfactionis important,but it doesn't pay the rent.Shared profit and bonuses help to strengthen team spirit by giving everyone a commongoal that they work towards together.15 What fact does the writer hope to learn from applicants CVs?A that they have experience of many different jobsB that their careers have developed steadilyC the opinion their employers had of themD whether they are married or single16 The writer says the application form is useful because itA reveals something of the applicant s character.B gives information about the applicant s family.C explains what skills the applicant has for the job.D shows how much the applicant wants to earn.17 According to the writer, why are CVs and application forms soimportant?A Interviewing people is an expensive process.B They indicate whether applicants really want the job.C They indicate whether applicants are efficient or not.D Employing the wrong people can be disastrous.18 One reason why the writer was successful in her first business was thatA she was used to dealing with people.B she was open with the staff.C the business was already doing well when she started.D the staff agreed with all her decisions.19 The writer believes profit-sharing is a good ideabecause A it encourages a competitive spirit.B everyone earns the same salary.C everyone shares the same aim.D it creates job satisfaction.20 Which would make the best title for this text?A Profit-sharing as motivationB How I turned a business roundC People - the key to business successD The importance of a well-presented CV PART FOURQuestions 21 - 30·Read the a rticle below about a method of learning languages forbusiness people.·Choose the best word from the opposite page to fill each gap.·For each question21 - 30 mark one letter A, B, C or D on your Answer Sheet.·There is an example at the beginni ng (0).Language learning for the busy executiveIf you've ever been told by your boss to improve your knowledge ofa foreign language you'll know that??(0) ??doesn't come quickly.It generally takes years to learn another language well andconstant??(21) ??to maintain the high standards required forfrequent business use. Whether you study in a class,with audiocassettes, computers or on your??(22) ?? sooner or??(23) ??every language course finishes and you must decide what to do next if you need a foreign language for your career.Business Audio Magazines is a new product designed to help youcontinue language study in a way that fits easily into your busy schedule. Each audiocassette??(24) ??of an hour-long programme packed with business news, features and interviews in the language of your choice.These cassettes won t teach you how to order meals or ask for directions.It is ??(25) ?? that you can do that already. Instead, by giving youan opportunity to hear the language as it s really spoken, they help youto ??(26) ??your vocabulary and improve your ability to use reallanguage relating to, for example, that all-important marketing trip.The great advantage of using audio magazines is that they ??(27) ?? you to perfect your language skills in ways that suit your lifestyle.For example,you can select a topic and listen in your car or hotel when away on business. No other business course is as??(28) ??And the unique radio-magazine format is as instructive as it is entertaining.In addition to the audiocassette,this package includes a transcript with a businessglossary and a study??(29) ?? The components are structured so that intermediate and advanced students may use them separately ortogether ?? (30) ??on their ability.Example: A B C D20A gain B result C success D outcome21A exercise B performance C practice D operation22A self B individual C personal D own23A after B then C later D quicker24A consists B includes C contains D involves25A insisted B acquired C asserted D assumed26A prolong B extend C spread D lift27A allow B let C support D offer28 A adjustable B flexible C convertible D variable29 A addition B supplement C extra D manuscript30 A according B depending C relating Dbasing Questions 31 - 40·Read the article below about meetings.·For each question31 - 40 write one word in CAPITALLETTERSon your Answer Sheet.How to make more of meetingsYou should know what ends you want to achieve in a meeting before itstarts and prepare for it(0) ??reading any papers circulated beforehand, and carefully thinking about (31)??you want to say. This may soundrather boring, but solid preparation is the key to successful meetings:A great (32)??of time and energy can be wasted through simple lack of planning.The most important issues are not always given the most time in thegeneral running of meetings.People are often unwilling(33) ??discuss important budgetary matters because they do not fully understand them,but (34)??becomes an expert when it comes to discussing the colour of the new curtains,or what type of coffee to buy The discussion of (35) ?? trivial matters as these,therefore,should be saved until the end of the meeting.During the meeting it is essential to stick to the agenda so (36)??to avoid the common problem of repetition. At the same time you (37)??to be sensitive to other people s ideas and feelings, and never lose yourtemper. Be prepared to accept (38)??implement a suggestion that iscontrary to (39)??own ideas if it is an improvement on them; suchhonesty and flexibility are signs of good leadership and earn respect.Finally,remember that when a decision is madeit is important to act (40) ??it and to honour all the commitments you have madein the meeting.PART SIXQuestions 41 - 50·In most lines of the following text, there is one unnecessary word. It is either grammatically incorrect or does not fit in with the senseof the text.·For each numbered line41 - 50, find the unnecessary word and then write the word in CAPITAL LETTERS on your Answer Sheet. Some linesare correct. If a line is correct, write CORRECT on your Answer Sheet. The exercise begins with two examples (0) and (00).Customer care0 Apart from ensuring that an efficient electricity supply for our00 customers, NatElectric provides an invaluable servicein other areas41 as well. While our Customer Helpline (charged at local rates) isthe42 first point of contact with when you want to make an enquiry and43 we receive a huge number of calls from customers - on44 average, there are 50 000 calls a one week. Available 24 hours45 a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year,our Helpline on advisors46 aim at to answer 95 per cent of all calls within 15 seconds. There47 are more than 200 advisors, working in around the clock to48 provide for this service, backed by a further 80 support staff49 who do handle any necessary paperwork. Although our target50 is to reply to letters within 10 working days, NatElectricregularly responds withinthree to four days, and we are especially proud ofthe standards achieved by ourcustomer relations team.。

BEC商务英语高级考试阅读真题

BEC商务英语高级考试阅读真题

BEC商务英语高级考试阅读真题There have long been markets in tin, cocoa, silver and the like. There used to be security in thinking that somewhere there was a product, something you could touch and see. Now there are new markets in abstractions, trade in ideas and knowledge. Everyone has knowledge but there used to be no way to trade it ------except through jobs. That simple fact of economic life was the basis for white collar employment for centuries. The whole job culture grew up because there was no alternative way to sell knowledge , other then the worker or manager providing, for a fixed price, his or her knowledge to an employer to own or control. The quantity of knowledge provided has typically been measured in time.But today we stand at the threshold of a new era. The information economy has matured and become smarter. According to many business commentators, we are now living in a knowledge economy .There has always been a market for knowledge, of course. The publishing industry is based on it. But today the internet is making the distribution of knowledge ever easier. The days when the publisher decided what got published are over. Anyone with a PC and a modem can talk to the world. This is reducing the friction in the knowledge economy.Everyone has knowledge of whatever industry she or he is in. say you are a computer dealer, for example. Over the years your have complied a list of the ten best lowest price places to buy wholesale computer equipment. Now you can sell your knowledge to newer, younger computer dealers who have no way to build up this knowledge without losing thousands of pounds finding it out the hard way. Until now, such knowledge remained securely locked in the recipient’s head ,accumulated and then worthlessly withered away. This no longer needs to be the case. Such knowledgecan be sold via websites.Knowledge has a distinct advantage in today’s marketplace. It’s a renewable resource. Better yet, its worth actually increases, . “knowledge is the only asset that grows with use. “ obs erves Scanford University Professor Paul Romer. But what exactly is knowledge and how can it be packaged to trade on an open market” “ knowledge is experiential information, intelligence applied thorough and gained from experience.” Say Josenph Pine and Ja mes Gilmore in their book The Experience Economy.The value of knowledge often depends on variables such as time and the credibility of the seller.Certain knowledge may have a very limited shelf life. In sights concerning how to set up an internet business in one country, might be worth a fortune on one day and nothing the next , depending on changes in government policy. Markets in knowledge will be significance for one thing. They represent one of the most original uses of the web technology. In some corner of the globe there is a company wanting to source plastic widgets from Poland, and somewhere else another company that wishes to set up a plastics factory there. It’s simply a case of connecting the two. is a good example of a knowledge trader. It is targeted at food service managers throughout the hospitality industry. “we started with the context rather than extracting money from suppliers. “ explains founder Mike Day. “ we offer food service professionals interactive support to increase sales and profits. People don’t want another one-dimensional site full of advertising that doesn’t help them to do their job more effectively,it has to be customised offering real solutions to real problems. “ the site’s features include access to online training and a tariff tracker to restaurants can check prices throughout the sector.15. what point is made in the first paragraph?A Interest in commodity markets has decreased.B Overall levels of expertise have improved.C Opportunities to exploit your knowledge were limited in the pastD External market forces have meant knowledge is underpriced.16 what are we told about the current impact of the internet in the second paragraph?A publishers benefit from their exploitation of the internet.B the internet has made it easier to analyse business trends.C It is difficult to calculate the true economic value of the internet.D The internet facilitates the development of the knowledge economy.17 In the third paragraph, what does the writer say about knowledge?A Acquiring knowledge can be expensiveB The most valuable knowledge concerns ITC Trading knowledge raises issues of security.D New businesses find it hard to trade in knowledge.18. What point is made about knowledge in the fourth paragraph?A It provides specialist informationB Its appeal lies in its exclusivityC it can generate new ideasD Its value accumulates.19 which application of knowledge does the writer regard as particularly useful?A analyzing manufacturing trendsB introducing compatible partiesC interpreting time constraintsD advising on legislation20 what key feature is provided by ?A approaches that reflect the provider’s own experienceB access to appropriately trained potential employees.C advice which directly benefits the bottom lineD advertising which is carefully targeted关于知识经济时代知识的重要性。

商务英语BEC高级阅读真题.doc

商务英语BEC高级阅读真题.doc

PART ONEQuestions 1 - 8•Look at the sentences below and at five passages taken from a book about famous management thinkers on the opposite page.•Which passage does each sentence refer to?•For each sentence 1 - 8, mark one letter Al B, C, D or E on your Answer Sheet.-You will need to use some of these letters more than once.Example:He has developed his own company to promote his work.0ABCDE1Others in his field think very highly of him.2His ideas have spread beyond the business world.3He felt that people should be able to enjoy their work.4His ideas are more complex than they seem.5He did a variety of interesting things before writing his books.6His most successful book was written with a colleague.7He is particularly skilled at forecasting important developments.8Contact with the military was an early influence on his thinking.A John AdairAdair is the pioneering British thinker in the theory of leadership. He was the first person in the UK to hold a professorship in Business Leadership and has published a series of influential books on the subject.Despite his quiet appearance, Adair has had a colourful life, serving in a Bedouin regiment and working on an Arctic fishing boat! His initial interest in leadership came from his army experience and he used to lecture at the highly prestigious academy where British army offices are trained. He now works as an international consultant.B Edward de BonoDe Bono is unusual among major gurus for two reasons: firstly, he was born not in one of the great industrial nations but on the tiny island of Malta. Secondly, his ideas have reached a wider audience than just managers, so that his books have become essential rending in many different disciplines.Most of de Bono s work has been concerned with the way human beings can train themselves to think more creatively. This apparently simple idea has resulted in 37books and a highly successful career as a lecturer and consultant.C Peter DruckerProbably no other single thinker has done as much as Drucker to establish management as a serious area of study. Certainly, his fellow management thinkers consider him one of the founding fathers of the discipline, and his books and articles are quoted more than those of any other management writer.His first book was published as far back as 1939, yet he is still writing and teaching. His greatest distinction has been his ability to predict coming trends in business and economics. As a result, his ideas are treated with the greatest respect and interest.D Frederick HerzbergAlthough relatively few contemporary management students will have read his books, Herzberg s name is instantly recognisable to anyone who has studied industrial organisations. This is because the American psychologist was responsible for introducing the concept of motivation into management thinking.As a young man, Herzberg became deeply interested in mental illness and the human need for mental and emotional satisfaction. This led him to criticise the approach of many companies to job design, and to argue for the need for job enrichment to stimulate employees efforts.E Tom PetersThe American s reputation was created in the I 980s by the spectacular success of one book, In Search of Excellence, co-written with Robert Waterman. The two were working together as management consultants and no-one expected their first (and only) book to end up selling 5 million copies worldwide!Although his ideas have been criticised, Peters popularity as a speaker and writer has continued to grow. So much so that Peters has created his own business to market books, videos and consultancy based on his work.PART TWOQuestions 9-14•Read this text from an article about health clubs.•Choose the best sentence from the opposite page to fill in each of the gaps.•For each gap 9-14, mark one letter A - H on your Answer Sheet.•Do not use any letter more than once.•There is an example at the beginning (0).Travel stress brings boom to health clubsA rapid growth in business travel has provided a lucrative spin-off for Britishhealth clubs as companies try to prevent hard-working executives from suffering travel-related stress.Health clubs are fully booked throughout the coming months all around the country and many are planning to expand their facilities.0 H According to Gillie Turner, group marketing manager for the Champneys group of health clubs, during the last recession executives lost many of their extra benefits as companies cut back. . 9 She says that large companies also seem to have decided that it is no good sending someone to a country like Spain as a reward for doing a good job, because they will simply eat too much and flop onto a beach. . 10Champneys, the company acknowledged as the market leader in this field, is now planning to introduce a special "Profiting from Stress" course, which will run over three days. . 11 Jonathon Stapleton, general manager of Champneys, says that modern corporate life being what it is, most business travellers find that they are having to do the work which ・ even a year ago - was done by two. 12To meet this new demand, other health clubs are also thinking of introducing similar schemes. Clare Brandish, the sales and marketing director of another health club, has noticed a marked change in the clientele at her club. . 13Businesses of all kinds are anxious to reduce absenteeism. . 14 Much of the problem is caused by long periods away from home, irregular hours, business entertaining and jet lag.According to the Guild of Business Travel Agents, sales of business-class airline tickets have risen by 12% in the past year, hotel bookings have gone up by 36% and car hire has risen by 24%. Dave Reynolds, the GBTA chief executive, says that the trouble is that the same number of people are being asked to travel more often. He comments that it is nowonder they need to take a break in a health club.A It has been calculated that about 40 million working days are lost each year in Britain because of stress, ten times as many as are lost 10 industrial disputes.B This has involved a considerable rise in the number of business bookings, whereas previously most clients came as private individuals.C Now they are being restored, as industry realises that the health of its executives is vital.D But who will benefit most from these developments?E Because of the pressures this imposes, many companies have now decided that it is worthwhile paying for their senior executives to take a proper break and get advice on how to combat stress.F Executives taking part in it will be given massages and health treatments, workouts and a range of talks on how to deal with stress, especially when travelling.G So what s the reason for this now trend?PART THREEQuestions 15-20•Read the following article on recruiting and managing staff and the questions on the opposite page.•Each question has four suggested answers or ways of finishing the sentence, A, B, C and D.•Mark one letter A, B, C or D on your Answer Sheet, for the answer you choose.As a manager in the service industry sector, Fve looked at hundreds of CVs in my time. They are not necessarily the bland documents some bosses might think they are! They are full of little pointers towards individuafs personalities and suitability for the job. The first thing I always look at is an applicant s employment record. I check for continuity and stability. If somebody has a long list of previous jobs, all of varying length, alarm bells start ringing. Rather than an irregular route from job to job, what I hope to see is stable career progression. What does their career path look like - is it all steps forward, or are there a lot of sideways moves? And I am always pleased to find a family person with children, because in my experience they tend to be responsible and reliable.I never rely on CVs alone. We get applicants to fill in one of our own application forms. We ask why they've applied, what their aspirations and personal goals are, and also about their interests and hobbies and any clubs they belong to. That gives you a useful insight into their personality and lifestyle. The application form also enables us to test how much people have actually been progressing in their careers, because we ask for details of the salaries they have received for each job.It s always worth looking at CVs and designing application forms with great care. Taking on employees might be rewarding, but it is also a big investment for any business. Mistakes in choosing staff can cost companies dear, so it makes sense to spend time ensuring you get the right person.In the service sector, one of the aims of companies is to maintain and improve customer service, and this is achieved partly through low staff turnover. You need to take on people who understand that, and will want to stay. That s why, when you've taken staff on, the next thing is getting the best out of them.My management style comes from the days when I took over my first business, ailing road haulage firm which I was certain I could turn into a profitable company. The first thing is to treat others as you d like to be treated yourself. As soon as I took over the business, I talked to everybody individually, and looked for ways to make sure their particular skills benefited the company.I didn't have much experience then of managing people, but above all I alwaystried to be fair and honest with everyone. As a result, I think the staff knew that and accepted my decisions, even if they didn't agree with them alL Also, bosses must be able to communicate. You also need to create team spirit, and build on the strength of the team. I explained my plans for the company to all the staff, and let them all know what I needed from them. The lorry drivers responded brilliantly, and were the key to turning the business round. They understood that we had to develop a professional reputation, and from then on the days of poor quality deliveries were over.Lastly, I am a great believer in profit-sharing. It takes a team to make a company work, so profits should be shared by alL Job satisfaction is important, but it doesn't pay the rent. Shared profit and bonuses help to strengthen team spirit by giving everyone a common goal that they work towards together.15What fact does the writer hope to learn from applicants CVs?A that they have experience of many different jobsB that their careers have developed steadilyC the opinion their employers had of themD whether they are married or single16The writer says the application form is useful because itA reveals something of the applicant s character.B gives information about the applicant s family.C explains what skills the applicant has for the job.D shows how much the applicant wants to earn.17According to the writer, why are CVs and application forms so important?An Interviewing people are an expensive process.B They indicate whether applicants really want the job.C They indicate whether applicants are efficient or not.D Employing the wrong people can be disastrous.18One reason why the writer was successful in her first business was thatA she was used to dealing with people.B she was open with the staff.C the business was already doing well when she started.D the staff agreed with all her decisions.19The writer believes profit-sharing is a good idea becauseA it encourages a competitive spirit.B everyone earns the same salary.C everyone shares the same aim.D it creates job satisfaction.20Which would make the best title for this text?A Profit-sharing as motivationB How I turned a business roundC People - the key to business successD The importance of a well-presented CVPART FOURQuestions 21-30•Read the article below about a method of learning languages for business people.•Choose the best word from the opposite page to fill each gap.•For each question 21-30 mark one letter A, B, C or D on your Answer Sheet.•There is an example at the beginning (0).Language learning for the busy executiveIf you ve ever been told by your boss to improve your knowledge of a foreign language you'll know that ........ (0) ....... doesn't come quickly. It generally takes years to learn another language well and constant ....... (21) ....... to maintain the high standards required for frequent business use. Whether you study in a class, with audiocassettes, computers or on your ........ (22) ...... sooner or ......... (23) ........ every language course finishes and you must decide what to do next if you need a foreign language for your career.Business Audio Magazines is a new product designed to help you continue language study in a way that fits easily into your busy schedule. Each audiocassette .............................. (24) ......... of an hour-long program packed with business news, features and interviews in the language of your choice. These cassettes won t teach you how to order meals or ask for directions. It is .............. (25) ........ that you can do that already. Instead, by giving you an opportunity to hear the language as it s really spoken, they help you to .................... (26) ........ your vocabulary and improve your ability to use real language relating to, for example, that all-important marketing trip.The great advantage of using audio magazines is that they ........ (27) ......... you to perfect your language skills in ways that suit your lifestyle. For example, you can select a topic and listen in your car or hotel when away on business. No other business course is as ........ (28) ......... And the unique radio-magazine format is as instructive as it is entertaining. In addition to the audiocassette, this package includes a transcriptwith a business glossary and a study ....... (29) ........ The components are structured so that intermediate and advanced students may use them separately or together ........(30) ...... on their ability.Example: A B C D20A gain B result C success D outcome21A exercise B performance C practice D operation22A self B individual C personal D own23A after B then C later D quicker24A consists B includes C contains D involves25A insisted B acquired C asserted D assumed26A prolong B extend C spread D lift27A allow B let C support D offer28A adjustable B flexible C convertible D variable29A addition B supplement C extra D manuscript30A according B depending C relating D basingQuestions 31 - 40•Read the article below about meetings.•For each question 31-40 write one word in CAPITAL LETTERS on your Answer Sheet.How to make more of meetingsYou should know what ends you want to achieve in a meeting before it starts and prepare for it (0) ....... r eading any papers circulated beforehand, and carefully thinking about (31) ....... you want to say. This may sound rather boring, but solid preparationis the key to successful meetings: A great (32) ...... of time and energy can be wasted through simple lack of planning.The most important issues are not always given the most time in the general running of meetings. People are often unwilling (33) ........ discuss important budgetary matters because they do not fully understand them, but (34) ........ becomes an expert when it comes to discussing the color of the new curtains, or what type ofcoffee to buy The discussion of (35) ...... trivial matters as these, therefore, should be saved until the end of the meeting.During the meeting it is essential to stick to the agenda so (36) ....... to avoid the common problem of repetition. At the same time you (37) ....... to be sensitive to other people s ideas and feelings, and never lose your temper. Be prepared to accept (38) ...... implement a suggestion that is contrary to (39) .......... own ideas if it is animprovement on them; Such honesty and flexibility are signs of good leadership and earn respect.Finally, remember that when a decision is made it is important to act (40) ........ it and to honor all the commitments you have made in the meeting.PART SIXQuestions 41-50•In most lines of the following text, there is one unnecessary word. It is either grammatically incorrect or does not fit in with the sense of the text.•For each numbered line 41 - 50, find the unnecessary word and then write the word in CAPITAL LETTERS on your Answer Sheet. Some lines are correct. If a line is correct, write CORRECT on your Answer Sheet. The exercise begins with two examples (0) and (00).Customer care0 Apart from ensuring that an efficient electricity supply for our00 customers, NatElectric provides an invaluable service in other areas41as well. While our Customer Helpline (charged at local rates) is the42first point of contact with when you want to make an enquiry and43we receive a huge number of calls from customers - on44average, there are 50 000 calls a one week. Available 24 hours45a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, our Helpline on advisors46aim at to answer 95 per cent of all calls within 15 seconds. There47are more than 200 advisors, working in around the clock to48provide for this service, backed by a further 80 support staff49who do handle any necessary paperwork? Although our target50is to reply to letters within 10 working days, NatElectric regularly responds withinthree to four days, and we are especially proud of the standards achieved by our customer relations team.。

商务英语-BEC高级阅读真题

商务英语-BEC高级阅读真题

商务英语:BEC高级阅读真题3of CVs in my time. They are not necessarily the bland documents some bosses might think they are! They are full of little pointers towards individuals personalities and suitability for the job. The first thing I always look at is an applicant s employment record. I check for continuity and stability. If somebody has a long list of previous jobs, all of varying length, alarm bells start ringing. Rather than an irregular route from job to job, what I hope to see is stable career progression. What does their career path look like - is it all steps forward, or are there a lot of sideways moves? And I am always pleased to find a family person with children, because in my experience they tend to be responsible and reliable.I never rely on CVs alone. We get applicants to fill in one of our own application forms. We ask why they’ve applied, what their aspirations and personal goals are, and also about their interests and hobbies and any clubs they belong to. That gives you a useful insight into their personality and lifestyle. The application form also enables us to test how much people have actually been progressing in their careers, because we ask for details of the salaries they have received for each job.It s always worth looking at CVs and designing application forms with great care. Taking on employees might be rewarding, but it is also a big investment for any business. Mistakes in choosing staff can cost companies dear, so it makes sense to spend time ensuring you get the right person.In the service sector, one of the aims of companies is to maintain and improve customer service, and this is achieved partly through low staff turnover. You need to take on people who understand that, and will want to stay. That s why, when you’ve taken staff on, the next thing is getting the best out of them.My management style comes from the days when I took over my first business, an ailing road haulage firm which I was certain I could turn into a profitable company. The first thing is to treat others as you d like to be treated yourself. As soon as I took over the business, I talked to everybody individually, and looked for ways to make sure their particular skills benefited the company.I didn’t have much experience then of managing people, but above all I always tried to be fair and honest with everyone. As a result, I think the staff knew that and accepted my decisions, even if they didn’t agree with them all. Also, bosses must be able to communicate. You also need to create team spirit, and build on the strength of the team. I explained my plans for the company to all the staff, and let them all know what I needed from them. The lorry drivers responded brilliantly, and were the key to turning the business round. They understood that we had to develop a professional reputation, and from then on the days of poor quality deliveries were over.Lastly, I am a great believer in profit-sharing. It takes a team to make a company work, so profits should be shared by all. Job satisfaction is imp ortant, but it doesn’t pay the rent. Shared profit and bonuses help to strengthen team spirit by giving everyone a common goal that they work towards together.15 What fact does the writer hope to learn from applicants CVs?A that they have experience of many different jobsB that their careers have developed steadilyC the opinion their employers had of themD whether they are married or single16 The writer says the application form is useful because itA reveals something of the applicant s character.B gives information about the applicant s family.C explains what skills the applicant has for the job.D shows how much the applicant wants to earn.17 According to the writer, why are CVs and application forms so important?A Interviewing people is an expensive process.B They indicate whether applicants really want the job.C They indicate whether applicants are efficient or not.D Employing the wrong people can be disastrous.18 One reason why the writer was successful in her first business was thatA she was used to dealing with people.B she was open with the staff.。

剑桥商务英语BEC高级阅读真题英文

剑桥商务英语BEC高级阅读真题英文

剑桥商务英语BEC高级阅读真题PART ONEQuestio ns 1 - 8•L ook at the senten ces below and at five passages take n from a book about famous man ageme nt thin kers on the opposite page.•W hich passage does each sentence refer to?•F or each sentence 1 - 8, mark one letter A1 B, C, D or E on your An swer Sheet.•You will n eed to use some of these letters more tha nonce.Example:He has developed his own compa ny to promote his work.0 A B C D E1 Others in his field thi nk very highly of him.2 His ideas have spread bey ond the bus in ess world.3 He felt that people should be able to enjoy their work.4 His ideas are more complex tha n they seem.5 He did a variety of interesting things before writing his books.6 His most successful book was written with a colleague.7 He is particularly skilled at forecasting important developme nts.8 Con tact with the military was an early in flue nee on his thi nki ng.A John AdairAdair is the pion eeri ng British th in ker in the theory of leadership. He was the first person in the UK to hold a professorship in Busin ess Leadership and has published a series of in flue ntial books on the subject.Despite his quiet appeara nee, Adair has had a colourful life, serv ing in a Bedo uin regime nt and worki ng on an Arctic fish ing boat! His initial interest in leadership came from his army experienee and he used to lecture at the highly prestigious academy where British army offices are train ed. He now works as an intern ati onalcon sulta nt.B Edward de BonoDe Bono is unusual among major gurus for two reasons: firstly, he was born not in one of the GREat in dustrial n ati ons but on the tiny island of Malta. Secondly, his ideas have reached a wider audienee than just managers, so that his books have BECome esse ntial rending in many differe nt discipli nes.Most of de Bono s work has bee n concerned with the way huma n beings can train themselves to thi nk more creatively. This apparently simple idea has resulted in 37 books and a highly successful career as a lecturer and con sulta nt.C Peter DruckerProbably no other single thinker has done as much as Drucker to establish management as a serious area of study. Certainly, his fellow management thinkers consider him one of the foundingfathers of the discipli ne, and his books and articles are quoted more tha n those of any other man ageme nt writer.His first book was published as far back as 1939, yet he is still writing and teaching. His greatest distinction has been his ability to predict coming trends in bus in ess and econo mics. As a result, his ideas are treated with the greatest respect and in terest.D Frederick HerzbergAlthough relatively few con temporary man ageme nt stude nts will have read his books, Herzberg s name is instantly recog ni sable to anyone who has studied in dustrial orga ni sati ons. This is because the American psychologist was responsible for in troduc ing the con cept of motivati on into man ageme nt thinking.As a young man, Herzberg became deeply interested in mental illness and the human need for mental and emotional satisfaction. This led him to criticise the approach of many companies to job design, and to argue for the need for joben richme nt to stimulate employees efforts.E Tom PetersThe American s reputation was created in the I 980s by the spectacular success of one book, In Search of Excellenee,co-written with Robert Waterman. The two were working together as man ageme nt con sulta nts and no-one expected their first (and only) book to end up selling 5 million copies worldwide!Although his ideas have bee n criticised, Peters popularity as a speaker and writer has continued to grow. So much so that Peters has created his own bus in ess to market books, videos and con sulta ncy based on his work.PART TWOQuestio ns 9 - 14Read this text from an article about health clubs.•C hoose the best sentence from the opposite page to fill ineach of the gaps.•F or each gap 9 - 14, mark one letter A - H on your An swer Sheet.•D o not use any letter more tha n on ce.•T here is an example at the beg inning (0).Travel stress brings boom to health clubsA rapid growth in bus in ess travel has provided a lucrative spin-off for British health clubs as companies try to preventhard-work ing executives from sufferi ng travel-related stress.Health clubs are fully booked throughout the coming mon ths all around the country and many are planning to expand their facilities.0 H According to Gillie Turner, group marketing manager forthe Champneys group of health clubs, during the last recessi on executives lost many of their extra ben efits as compa nies cut back. .9 She says that large compa nies also seem to have decided that it is no good sending some one to a country like Spa in as a reward for doing a good job, BECause they will simply eat too much and flop onto a beach. . 10Champ neys, the compa ny ack no wledged as the market leader in this field, is now planning to introduce a special "Profiting from Stress" course, which will run over three days.. 11 Jon ath on Staplet on, gen eral man ager of Champ neys, says that moder n corporate life being what it is, most bus in ess travellers find that they are hav ing to do the work which - eve n a year ago - was done by two. 12To meet this new dema nd, other health clubs are also thi nking of in troduc ing similar schemes. Clare Bran dish, the sales and marketing director of another health club, has noticed a marked cha nge in the clie ntele at her club. . 13Busin esses of all kinds are an xious to reduce abse nteeism..14 Much of the problem is caused by long periods away from home, irregular hours, bus in ess en terta ining and jet lag.Accord ing to the Guild of Busin ess Travel Agen ts, sales of bus in ess-class airli ne tickets have rise n by 12% in the past year, hotel booki ngs have gone up by 36% and car hire has rise n by 24%. Dave Reynolds, the GBTA chief executive, says that the trouble is that the same number of people are being asked to travel more often. He comments that it is nowon der they n eed to take a break in a health club.A It has bee n calculated that about 40 millio n worki ng days are lost each year in Britain because of stress, ten times as many as are lost 10 in dustrial disputes.B This has involved a considerable rise in the number of bus in ess book in gs, whereas previously most clie nts came as private in dividuals.C Now they are being restored, as in dustry realises that the health of its executives is vital.D But who will ben efit most from these developme nts?E Because of the pressures this imposes, many companies have now decided that it is worthwhile paying for their senior executives to take a proper break and get advice on how to combat stress.F Executives taking part in it will be given massagesand health treatme nts, workouts and a range of talks on how to deal with stress, especially whe n travell ing.G So what s the reason for this now trend?PART THREEQuestio ns 15 - 20• Read the following article on recruiting and managing staff and the questi ons on the opposite page.• Each question has four suggested answers or ways of finishing the senten ce, A, B, C and D.• Mark one letter A, B, C or D on your An swer Sheet, for the an swer you choose.As a man ager i n the service in dustry sector, I've looked at hun dreds of CVs in my time. They are not n ecessarily the bla nd documents some bosses might think they are! They are full of little pointers towards individuals personalities and suitability for the job. The first thing I always look at is an applicant s employment record. I check for continuity and stability. If somebody has a long list of previous jobs, all of vary ing len gth, alarm bells start ringing. Rathertha n an irregular route from job to job, what I hope to see is stable career proGREssi on. What does their career path look like - is it all steps forward, or are there a lot of sideways moves? And I am always pleased to find a family pers on with childre n, BECause in my experie nee they tend to be resp on sible and reliable.I never rely on CVs alone. We get applicants to fill in one of our own application forms. We ask why they've applied, what their aspirations and personal goals are, and also about their in terests and hobbies and any clubs they bel ong to. That gives you a useful in sight in to their pers on ality and lifestyle. The application form also enables us to test how much people have actually been progressing in their careers, because we ask for details of the salaries they have received for each job.It s always worth looking at CVs and designing application forms with great care. Taking on employees might be reward ing, but it is also a big in vestme nt for any bus in ess. Mistakes inchoosing staff can cost companies dear, so it makes sense to spendtime ensuring you get the right person.In the service sector, one of the aims of companies is to maintain and improve customer service, and this is achieved partly through low staff tur no ver. You n eed to take on people who un dersta nd that, and will want to stay. That s why, whe n you've take n staff on, the n ext thing is gett ing the best out of them.My management style comes from the days when I took over my first bus in ess, an aili ng road haulage firm which I was certain I could turn into a profitable company. The first thing is to treat others as you d like to be treated yourself. As soon as I took over the bus in ess, I talked to everybody in dividually, and looked for ways to make sure their particular skills benefited the compa ny.I did n't have much experie nee the n of managing people, but above all I always tried to be fair and hon est with every one. As a result, I thi nk the staff knew that and accepted my decisi ons, eve n if they did n't agree with them all. Also, bosses must be able to com muni cate. You also n eed to create team spirit, and build on the strength of the team. I expla ined my pla ns for the compa ny to all the staff, and let them all know what I needed from them. The lorry drivers resp on ded brillia ntly, and were the key to turning the bus in ess round. They un derstood that we had to develop a professi onal reputati on, and from the n on the days of poor quality deliveries were over.Lastly, I am a great believer in profit-shari ng. It takes a team to make a compa ny work, so profits should be shared by all. Job satisfacti on is importa nt, but it does n't pay the rent. Shared profit and bonu ses help to stre ngthe n team spirit by giv ing every one a com mon goal that they work towards together.15 What fact does the writer hope to learn from applicants CVs?A that they have experie nee of many differe nt jobsB that their careers have developed steadilyC the opinion their employers had of themD whether they are married or si ngle16 The writer says the application form is useful BECause itA reveals someth ing of the applica nt s character.B gives in formati on about the applica nt s family.C expla ins what skills the applica nt has for the job.D shows how much the applicant wants to earn.17 According to the writer, why are CVs and application forms so importa nt?A In terviewi ng people is an expe nsive process.B They in dicate whether applica nts really want the job.C They in dicate whether applica nts are efficie nt or not.D Emplo ying the wrong people can be disastrous.18 One reason why the writer was successful in her first bus in ess was thatA she was used to deali ng with people.B she was open with the staff.C the bus in ess was already doing well whe n she started.D the staff aGREed with all her decisi ons.19 The writer believes profit-shari ng is a good idea becauseA it en courages a competitive spirit.B every one earns the same salary.C every one shares the same aim.D it creates job satisfacti on.20 Which would make the best title for this text?A Profit-shari ng as motivatio nB How I tur ned a bus in ess roundC People - the key to bus in ess successD The importa nee of a well-prese nted CVPART FOURQuestio ns 21 - 30Read the article below about a method of learningIan guages for bus in ess people.•Choose the best word from the opposite page to fill each gap.•For each questio n 21 - 30 mark one letter A, B, C or D on your An swer Sheet.•There is an example at the beg inning (0).Lan guage lear ning for the busy executiveIf you've ever been told by your boss to improve your knowledge of a foreign Ianguage you'll know that ............ (0) ...... does n't come quickly. It gen erally takes years to learn ano ther Ian guage well and con sta nt .... (21) ....... to main tai n the high sta ndards required for freque nt bus in ess use. Whether you study in a class, with audiocassettes, computers or on your (22) ............... s ooner or (23) ............................ every Ianguage course finishes and you must decide what to do next if you need a foreig n Ian guage for your career.Busin ess Audio Magaz ines is a new product desig ned to help you continue Ianguage study in a way that fits easily into your busy schedule. Each audiocassette ........................... (24) .......... of an hour- long programme packed with bus in ess n ews, features and in terviews in the Ian guage of your choice. These cassettes won t teach you how to order meals or ask for directions. It is (25) •…that you can do that already .In stead, by giv ingyou an opport un ity to hear the Ian guage as it s really spoke n, theyhelp you to ......... (26) ......... y our vocabulary and improve your ability to use real Ianguage relating to, for example, that all-importa nt market ing trip.The GREat advantage of using audio magazines is that they ............... (27) ....... you to perfect your Ianguage skills in waysthat suit your lifestyle. For example, you can select a topic and liste n in your car or hotel whe n away on bus in ess. No otherbus in ess course is as ............... (28) ........... And the unique radio-magazine format is as instructive as it is entertaining. In additi on to the audiocassette, this package in cludes a tran script with a bus in ess glossary and a study ................... (29) ..... The comp onents are structured so that in termediate and adva need students may use them separately or together ......... (30) ....... on their ability.Example: A B C D20 A gain B result C success D outcome21 A exercise B performa nee C practice D operati on22 A self B in dividual C pers onal D own23 A after B then C later D quicker24 A con sists B in cludes C contains D in volves25 A in sisted B acquired C asserted D assumed26 A prolong B extend C spread D lift27 A allow B let C support D offer28 A adjustable B flexible C con vertible D variable29 A additi on B suppleme nt C extra D manu script30 A accord ing B depe nding C relati ng D bas ing PART FIVEQuestio ns 31-40Read the article below about meeti ngs.• For each question 31-40 write one word in CAPITAL LETTERS on your An swer Sheet.How to make more of meeti ngsYou should know what ends you want to achieve in a meeting before it starts and prepare for it (0) .............reading any papers circulated beforeha nd, and carefully thinking about (31) ..... you want to say. This may sound rather boring, butsolid preparati on is the key to successful meet in gs: A GREat (32) ...... o f time and energy can be wasted through simple lack of pla nning.The most important issues are not always given the most time in the gen eral running of meet in gs. People are ofte n unwilling (33) ............... discuss important budgetary matters BECause they do not fully understand them, but (34) .................. becomes an expert whe n it comes to discuss ing the colour of thenew curtains, or what type of coffee to buy The discussion of (35) ........ trivial matters as these, therefore, should be saved until the end of the meet ing.During the meeting it is essential to stick to the agenda so (36) ............ t o avoid the com mon problem of repetiti on. At the same time you (37) ....... to be sensitive to other people s ideas and feelings, and never lose your temper. Be prepared to accept (38) . implement a suggestion that is contrary to (39) .............................. own ideas if it is an improvement on them; such honesty and flexibility are sig ns of good leadership and earn respect.Fin ally, remember that whe n a decisi on is made it is important to act (40) ...................... it and to honour all the commitmentsyou have made in the meeti ng.PART SIXQuestio ns 41 - 50In most lines of the following text, there is one unn ecessary word. It is either grammatically in correct or does not fitin with the sense of the text.• For each numbered line 41 - 50, find the unnecessary word and then write the word in CAPITAL LETTERS on your An swer Sheet. Some lines are correct. If a line is correct, write CORRECT on your An swer Sheet. The exercise beg ins with two examples (0) and (00).Customer care0 Apart from ensuring that an efficient electricity supply for our00 customers, NatElectric provides an in valuable service in other areas41 as well. While our Customer Helpline (charged at local rates) is the42 first point of con tact with whe n you want to make an enquiry and43 we receive a huge nu mber of calls from customers - on44 average, there are 50 000 calls a one week. Available 24 hours45 a day, seve n days a week, 365 days a year, our Helpli ne on advisors46 aim at to an swer 95 per cent of all calls with in 15 sec onds. There47 are more than 200 advisors, working in around the clock to48 provide for this service, backed by a further 80 support staff49 who do handle any necessary paperwork. Although our target50 is to reply to letters within 10 worki ng days, NatElectric regularly resp onds with inthree to four days, and we are especially proud of the sta ndards achieved by ourcustomer relati ons team。

商务英语(BEC)考试高级阅读真题及答案.doc

商务英语(BEC)考试高级阅读真题及答案.doc

商务英语(BEC)考试高级阅读真题及答案题nPART ONEQuestions 1-8Look at the statements below and at the five reports about companies onX the opposite page from an article giving advice to self-employed consultants about negotiating fees for their services・Which book (A, B, C, D or E) dose each statement 1 - 8 refer to ?XFor each statement ! - 8, make one letter (A, B, C, D or E) on your Answer九Sheet .You wi11 need to use some of these letters more than once •入Example :0 Lack of self-confidence wil1 put you at a disadvantage in a negotiation .0 A B C D E1.This company has been involved in diversifying its business activities・2.Al though this company is doing wel1, it has a number of internal difficulties to deal with3.This company has reduced the profits it makes on individual items4.One statistic is a less accurate guide to this company" s performanee than another5.The conditions which have helped this company are likely to be less favourable in the future6.This company" s share price has been extremely volatile over the last twelve months7.This company is likely to be the subject of a takeover bid in the near future8.This company" s performance exemplifies a widely held beliefAChemi cal CompanyMasterson" s interim pre-tax profits growth of 20% was somewhat inflated as a result of the income received from the disposal of several of the company" s subsidiaries. The underlying 8% rise in operatingprofits is a more realistic gauge of the company" s true progress. However, Masterson" s impending merger with Bentley and Knight and its appointment of a new chief executive should mean that the company wi 11 be able to sustain growth for the foreseeable fut5ure. The share price has varied little during the course of the year and now stands at £ 6. 75BHotel GroupDuring the past year the Bowden Hotel Group has acquired 77 new properties, thus doubling in size . last week the group repor ted pre-tax prof i ts of £ 88 mi 11 ion in the firs t si x mon ths of the year, ahead of expectations and helped by a strong performance from its London-based hotels and newly expanded US business. However. There is still some way to go. Integration of the new acquisitions is still not complete and, while the share price has risen recently, major problems with integration have yet to be solved.ctopsage, comThis time last year a share in Usertech was worth just over £ 1. six mon ths ago it was worth £ 40. today it is priced at under £ 8 . if proof were need, here is an 订lustration of how much of a lottery the technology market can be. But some technology companics are fighting back and Usertech is one of them . What has renewed excitement in the company is the opening of its new American offices in Dallas and its ambitious plans to expand its user base in both North and Latin America.DBui Iding CompanyRenton' s share price has risen gradual 1 y over the past year from £2.4 to £ 3. 8 • The company has been successful in choosing prime location for its buildings and has benefited from the buoyant demand for housing・ Whilst this demand is expected to s 1 ow down somewhat during the next year, investors are encouraged by the company" s decision to move into building supermarkets. Work has already begun on two sites in London, and the company is expected to sign a contract within the next month for buiIding four large supermarkets in Scotland.Pottery ManufactuterMil ton Dishes has bee n through a shake-up over the past year ・ The group, which has bee n cutting marg ins and improvi ng marketing, may post a smal 1 prof i t t his year. The many members of the Mi 1ton family, who betwee n them own 58 per cent of the bus in css, have been watch ing the share price rise steadily and several are looking to sei 1. Trade rival Ruskin has bought up just over 17 percent of the shares and could well be spurred into further action by the signs of a recovery at the firm・[NextPage]答案:1D2B3E4A5D6C7E8C这种类型的题不过是一个句子换-•种说法,关键是看对每一•段话的理解。

剑桥商务英语BEC高级阅读真题英文

剑桥商务英语BEC高级阅读真题英文

剑桥商务英语BEC高级阅读真题PART ONEQuestions 1 - 8·Look at the sentences below and at five passages taken from a book about famous management thinkers on the opposite page.·Which passage does each sentence refer to?·For each sentence 1 - 8, mark one letter A1 B, C, D or E on your Answer Sheet.·You will need to use some of these letters more than once.Example:He has developed his own company to promote his work.0 A B C D E1 Others in his field think very highly of him.2 His ideas have spread beyond the business world.3 He felt that people should be able to enjoy their work.4 His ideas are more complex than they seem.5 He did a variety of interesting things before writing his books.6 His most successful book was written with a colleague.7 He is particularly skilled at forecasting important developments.8 Contact with the military was an early influence on his thinking.A John AdairAdair is the pioneering British thinker in the theory of leadership. He was the first person in the UK to hold a professorship in Business Leadership and has published a series of influential books on the subject.Despite his quiet appearance, Adair has had a colourful life, serving in a Bedouin regiment and working on an Arctic fishing boat! His initial interest in leadership came from his army experience and he used to lecture at the highly prestigious academy where British army offices are trained. He now works asan international consultant.B Edward de BonoDe Bono is unusual among major gurus for two reasons: firstly, he was born not in one of the GREat industrial nations but on the tiny island of Malta. Secondly, his ideas have reached a wider audience than just managers, so that his books have BECome essential rending in many different disciplines.Most of de Bono s work has been concerned with the way human beings can train themselves to think more creatively. This apparently simple idea has resulted in 37 books and a highly successful career as a lecturer and consultant.C Peter DruckerProbably no other single thinker has done as much as Drucker to establish management as a serious area of study. Certainly, his fellow management thinkers consider him one ofthe founding fathers of the discipline, and his books and articles are quoted more than those of any other management writer.His first book was published as far back as 1939, yet he is still writing and teaching. His greatest distinction has been his ability to predict coming trends in business and economics. As a result, his ideas are treated with the greatest respect and interest.D Frederick HerzbergAlthough relatively few contemporary management students will have read his books, Herzberg s name is instantly recognisable to anyone who has studied industrial organisations. This is because the American psychologist was responsible for introducing the concept of motivation into management thinking.As a young man, Herzberg became deeply interested in mental illness and the human need for mental and emotional satisfaction. This led him to criticise the approach of many companies to job design, and to argue for the need for jobenrichment to stimulate employees efforts.E Tom PetersThe American s reputation was created in the I 980s by the spectacular success of one book, In Search of Excellence, co-written with Robert Waterman. The two were working together as management consultants and no-one expected their first (and only) book to end up selling 5 million copies worldwide!Although his ideas have been criticised, Peters popularity as a speaker and writer has continued to grow. So much so that Peters has created his own business to market books, videos and consultancy based on his work.PART TWOQuestions 9 - 14·Read this text from an article about health clubs.·Choose the best sentence from the opposite page to fill in each of the gaps.·For each gap 9 - 14, mark one letter A - H on your Answer Sheet.·Do not use any letter more than once.·There is an example at the beginning (0).Travel stress brings boom to health clubsA rapid growth in business travel has provided a lucrative spin-off for British health clubs as companies try to prevent hard-working executives from suffering travel-related stress.Health clubs are fully booked throughout the coming months all around the country and many are planning to expand theirfacilities.0 H According to Gillie Turner, group marketing manager for the Champneys group of health clubs, during the last recession executives lost many of their extra benefits as companies cut back. . 9 She says that large companies also seem to have decided that it is no good sending someone to a country like Spain as a reward for doing a good job, BECause they will simply eat too much and flop onto a beach. . 10Champneys, the company acknowledged as the market leader in this field, is now planning to introduce a special "Profiting from Stress" course, which will run over three days. .11 Jonathon Stapleton, general manager of Champneys, says that modern corporate life being what it is, most business travellers find that they are having to do the work which - even a year ago - was done by two. 12To meet this new demand, other health clubs are also thinking of introducing similar schemes. Clare Brandish, the salesand marketing director of another health club, has noticed a marked change in the clientele at her club. . 13Businesses of all kinds are anxious to reduce absenteeism. .14 Much of the problem is caused by long periods away from home, irregular hours, business entertaining and jet lag.According to the Guild of Business Travel Agents, sales of business-class airline tickets have risen by 12% in the past year, hotel bookings have gone up by 36% and car hire has risen by 24%. Dave Reynolds, the GBTA chief executive, says that the trouble is that the same number of people are being asked to travel more often. He comments that it is nowonder they need to take a break in a health club.A It has been calculated that about 40 million working days are lost each year in Britain because of stress, ten times as many as are lost 10 industrial disputes.B This has involved a considerable rise in the number of business bookings, whereas previously most clients came as private individuals.C Now they are being restored, as industry realises that the health of its executives is vital.D But who will benefit most from these developments?E Because of the pressures this imposes, many companies have now decided that it is worthwhile paying for their senior executives to take a proper break and get advice on how to combat stress.F Executives taking part in it will be given massages and health treatments, workouts and a range of talks on how to deal with stress, especially when travelling.G So what s the reason for this now trend?PART THREEQuestions 15 - 20·Read the following article on recruiting and managing staff and the questions on the opposite page.·Each question has four suggested answers or ways of finishing the sentence, A, B, C and D.·Mark one letter A, B, C or D on your Answer Sheet, for the answer you choose.As a manager in the service industry sector, I've looked at hundreds of CVs in my time. They are not necessarily the bland documents some bosses might think they are! They are full of little pointers towards individuals personalities and suitability for the job. The first thing I always look at is an applicant s employment record. I check for continuity and stability. Ifsomebody has a long list of previous jobs, all of varying length, alarm bells start ringing. Rather than an irregular route from job to job, what I hope to see is stable career proGREssion. What does their career path look like - is it all steps forward, or are there a lot of sideways moves? And I am always pleased to find a family person with children, BECause in my experience they tend to be responsible and reliable.I never rely on CVs alone. We get applicants to fill in one of our own application forms. We ask why they've applied, what their aspirations and personal goals are, and also about their interests and hobbies and any clubs they belong to. That gives you a useful insight into their personality and lifestyle. The application form also enables us to test how much people have actually been progressing in their careers, because we ask for details of the salaries they have received for each job.It s always worth looking at CVs and designing application forms with great care. Taking on employees might be rewarding, but it is also a big investment for any business. Mistakes inchoosing staff can cost companies dear, so it makes sense to spend time ensuring you get the right person.In the service sector, one of the aims of companies is to maintain and improve customer service, and this is achieved partly through low staff turnover. You need to take on people who understand that, and will want to stay. That s why, when you've taken staff on, the next thing is getting the best out of them.My management style comes from the days when I took over my first business, an ailing road haulage firm which I was certain I could turn into a profitable company. The first thing is to treat others as you d like to be treated yourself. As soon as I took over the business, I talked to everybody individually, and looked for ways to make sure their particular skills benefited the company.I didn't have much experience then of managing people, but above all I always tried to be fair and honest with everyone. As a result, I think the staff knew that and accepted my decisions, evenif they didn't agree with them all. Also, bosses must be able to communicate. You also need to create team spirit, and build on the strength of the team. I explained my plans for the company to all the staff, and let them all know what I needed from them. The lorry drivers responded brilliantly, and were the key to turning the business round. They understood that we had to develop a professional reputation, and from then on the days of poor quality deliveries were over.Lastly, I am a great believer in profit-sharing. It takes a team to make a company work, so profits should be shared by all. Job satisfaction is important, but it doesn't pay the rent. Shared profit and bonuses help to strengthen team spirit by giving everyone a common goal that they work towards together.15 What fact does the writer hope to learn from applicants CVs?A that they have experience of many different jobsB that their careers have developed steadilyC the opinion their employers had of themD whether they are married or single16 The writer says the application form is useful BECause itA reveals something of the applicant s character.B gives information about the applicant s family.C explains what skills the applicant has for the job.D shows how much the applicant wants to earn.17 According to the writer, why are CVs and application forms so important?A Interviewing people is an expensive process.B They indicate whether applicants really want the job.C They indicate whether applicants are efficient or not.D Employing the wrong people can be disastrous.18 One reason why the writer was successful in her first business was thatA she was used to dealing with people.B she was open with the staff.C the business was already doing well when she started.D the staff aGREed with all her decisions.19 The writer believes profit-sharing is a good idea becauseA it encourages a competitive spirit.B everyone earns the same salary.C everyone shares the same aim.D it creates job satisfaction.20 Which would make the best title for this text?A Profit-sharing as motivationB How I turned a business roundC People - the key to business successD The importance of a well-presented CV PART FOURQuestions 21 - 30·Read the article below about a method of learning languages for business people.·Choose the best word from the opposite page to fill each gap.·For each question 21 - 30 mark one letter A, B, C or D on your Answer Sheet.·There is an example at the beginning (0).Language learning for the busy executiveIf you've ever been told by your boss to improve your knowledge of a foreign language you'll know that ……(0)……doesn't come quickly. It generally takes years to learn another language well and constant ……(21)……to maintain the high standards required for frequent business use. Whether you studyin a class, with audiocassettes, computers or on your ……(22)…… sooner or ……(23)…… every language course finishes and you must decide what to do next if you need a foreign language for your career.Business Audio Magazines is a new product designed to help you continue language study in a way that fits easily into your busy schedule. Each audiocassette ……(24)……of an hour-long programme packed with business news, features and interviews in the language of your choice. These cassettes won t teach you how to order meals or ask for directions. It is ……(25)…… that you can do that already. Instead, by giving you an opportunity to hear the language as it s really spoken, they help you to ……(26)…… your vocabulary and improve your ability to use real language relating to, for example, that all-important marketing trip.The GREat advantage of using audio magazines is that they ……(27)……you to perfect your language skills in ways that suit your lifestyle. For example, you can select a topic andlisten in your car or hotel when away on business. No other business course i s as ……(28)…… And the unique radio-magazine format is as instructive as it is entertaining. In addition to the audiocassette, this package includes a transcript with a busines s glossary and a study ……(29)…… The components are structured so that intermediate and advanced students may use them separately or together ……(30)…… on their ability.Example: A B C D20 A gain B result C success D outcome21 A exercise B performance C practice D operation22 A self B individual C personal D own23 A after B then C later D quicker24 A consists B includes C contains D involves25 A insisted B acquired C asserted D assumed26 A prolong B extend C spread D lift27 A allow B let C support D offer28 A adjustable B flexible C convertible D variable29 A addition B supplement C extra D manuscript30 A according B depending C relating D basing PART FIVEQuestions 31 - 40·Read the article below about meetings.·For each question 31 - 40 write one word in CAPITAL LETTERS on your Answer Sheet.How to make more of meetingsYou should know what ends you want to achieve in a meeting before it starts and prepare for it (0)……reading any papers circulated beforehand, and carefully thinking about (31)……you want to say. This may sound rather boring, but solid preparation is the key to successful meetings: A GREat (32)……of time and energy can be wasted through simple lack o f planning.The most important issues are not always given the most time in the general running of meetings. People are often unwilling (33)……discuss important budgetary matters BECause they do not fully understand them, but (34)……becomes an expert when it comes to discussing the colour of the new curtains, or what type of coffee to buy The discussion of (35)…… trivial matters as these, therefore, should be saved untilthe end of the meeting.During the meeting it is essential to stick to the agenda so (36)……to avoid the common problem of repetition. At the same time you (37)……to be sensitive to other people s ideas and feelings, and never lose your temper. Be prepared to accept (38)……implement a suggestion that is contrary to (39)…… own ideas if it is an improvement on them; such honesty and flexibility are signs of good leadership and earn respect.Finally, remember that when a decision is made it is important to act (40)……it and to honour all the commitments you have made in the meeting.PART SIXQuestions 41 - 50·In most lines of the following text, there is one unnecessary word. It is either grammatically incorrect or does not fit in with the sense of the text.·For each numbered line 41 - 50, find the unnecessary word and then write the word in CAPITAL LETTERS on your Answer Sheet. Some lines are correct. If a line is correct, write CORRECT on your Answer Sheet. The exercise begins with two examples (0) and (00).Customer care0 Apart from ensuring that an efficient electricity supply for our00 customers, NatElectric provides an invaluable service in other areas41 as well. While our Customer Helpline (charged at local rates) is the42 first point of contact with when you want to make an enquiry and43 we receive a huge number of calls from customers - on44 average, there are 50 000 calls a one week. Available 24 hours45 a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, our Helpline on advisors46 aim at to answer 95 per cent of all calls within 15 seconds. There47 are more than 200 advisors, working in around the clock to48 provide for this service, backed by a further 80 support staff49 who do handle any necessary paperwork. Although our target50 is to reply to letters within 10 working days, NatElectric regularly responds withinthree to four days, and we are especially proud of the standards achieved by ourcustomer relations team。

剑桥商务英语高级(BEC3)阅读真题

剑桥商务英语高级(BEC3)阅读真题

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文档下载后可定制修改,请根据实际需要进行调整和使用,谢谢!并且,本店铺为大家提供各种类型的经典范文,如工作总结、策划方案、规章制度、演讲致辞、合同协议、条据书信、应急预案、教学资料、作文大全、其他范文等等,想了解不同范文格式和写法,敬请关注!Download tips: This document is carefully compiled by this editor. I hope that after you download it, it can help you solve practical problems. The document can be customized and modified after downloading, please adjust and use it according to actual needs, thank you!Moreover, our store provides various types of classic sample essays, such as work summaries, planning plans, rules and regulations, speeches, contract agreements, policy letters, emergency plans, teaching materials, complete essays, and other sample essays. If you want to learn about different sample formats and writing methods, please pay attention!剑桥商务英语高级(BEC3)阅读真题精选剑桥商务英语高级(BEC(3)阅读真题在我们平凡的日常里,大家对商务英语都再熟悉不过了吧,以下是本店铺精心整理的精选剑桥商务英语高级(BEC(3)阅读真题,仅供参考,希望能够帮助到大家。

剑桥BEC商务英语考试高级阅读真题

剑桥BEC商务英语考试高级阅读真题

剑桥BEC商务英语考试高级阅读真题为了让大家更好的准备商务英语BEC考试,带大家整理一下剑桥BEC商务英语考试(高级)阅读真题,下面就和大家分享,来欣赏一下吧。

剑桥BEC商务英语考试(高级)阅读真题一· Look at the sentences below and at five passages taken from a book about famous management thinkers on the opposite page.· Which passage does each sentence refer to?· For each sentence 1 - 8, mark one letter A1 B, C, D or E on your Answer Sheet.· You will need to use some of these letters more than once.Example:He has developed his own company to promote his work.0 A B C D E1 Others in his field think very highly of him.2 His ideas have spread beyond the business world.3 He felt that people should be able to enjoy their work.4 His ideas are more complex than they seem.5 He did a variety of interesting things before writing his books.6 His most successful book was written with a colleague.7 He is particularly skilled at forecasting important developments.8 Contact with the military was an early influence on his thinking.A John AdairAdair is the pioneering British thinker in the theory of leadership. He was the first person in the UK to hold a professorship in Business Leadership and has published a series of influential books on the subject.Despite his quiet appearance, Adair has had a colourful life, serving in a Bedouin regiment and working on an Arctic fishing boat! His initial interest in leadership came from his army experience and he used to lecture at the highly prestigious academy where Britisharmy offices are trained. He now works as an international consultant.剑桥BEC商务英语考试(高级)阅读真题二· Read the following article on recruiting and managing staff and the questions on the opposite page.· Each question has four suggested answers or ways of finishing the sentence, A, B, C and D.· Mark one letter A, B, C or D on your Answer Sheet, for the answer you choose.As a manager in the service industry sector, Ive looked at hundreds of CVs in my time. They are not necessarily the bland documents some bosses might think they are! They are full of little pointers towards individuals personalities and suitability for the job. The first thing I always look at is an applicant s employment record.I check for continuity and stability. If somebody has a long list of previous jobs, all of varying length, alarm bells start ringing. Rather than an irregular route from job to job, what I hope to see is stable career progression. What does their career path look like - is it all steps forward, or are there a lot of sideways moves? And I amalways pleased to find a family person with children, because in my experience they tend to be responsible and reliable.I never rely on CVs alone. We get applicants to fill in one of our own application forms. We ask why theyve applied, what their aspirations and personal goals are, and also about their interests and hobbies and any clubs they belong to. That gives you a useful insight into their personality and lifestyle. The application form also enables us to test how much people have actually been progressing in their careers, because we ask for details of the salaries they have received for each job.It s always worth looking at CVs and designing application forms with great care. Taking on employees might be rewarding, but it is also a big investment for any business. Mistakes in choosing staff can cost companies dear, so it makes sense to spend time ensuring you get the right person.In the service sector, one of the aims of companies is to maintain and improve customer service, and this is achieved partly through low staff turnover. You need to take on people who understand that, and will want to stay. That s why, when youve taken staff on, the next thing is getting the best out of them.My management style comes from the days when I took over my first business, an ailing road haulage firm which I was certain I could turn into a profitable company. The first thing is to treat others as you d like to be treated yourself. As soon as I took over the business, I talked to everybody individually, and looked for ways to make sure their particular skills benefited the company.I didnt have much experience then of managing people, but above all I always tried to be fair and honest with everyone. As a result, I think the staff knew that and accepted my decisions, even if they didnt agree with them all. Also, bosses must be able to communicate. You also need to create team spirit, and build on the strength of the team. I explained my plans for the company to all the staff, and let them all know what I needed from them. The lorry drivers responded brilliantly, and were the key to turning the business round. They understood that we had to develop a professional reputation, and from then on the days of poor quality deliveries were over.Lastly, I am a great believer in profit-sharing. It takes a team to make a company work, so profits should be shared by all. Job satisfaction is important, but it doesnt pay the rent. Shared profitand bonuses help to strengthen team spirit by giving everyone a common goal that they work towards together.剑桥BEC商务英语考试(高级)阅读真题三· Read the article below about meetings.中华考试网(Examw。

商务英语BEC高级阅读真题

商务英语BEC高级阅读真题

PART ONEQuestions 1 - 8· Look at the sentences below and at five passages taken from a book about famous management thinkers on the opposite page.· Which passage does each sentence refer to?· For each sentence 1 - 8, mark one letter A1 B, C, D or E on your Answer Sheet.· You will need to use some of these letters more than once.Example:He has developed his own company to promote his work.0 A B C D E1 Others in his field think very highly of him.2 His ideas have spread beyond the business world.3 He felt that people should be able to enjoy their work.4 His ideas are more complex than they seem.5 He did a variety of interesting things before writing his books.6 His most successful book was written with a colleague.7 He is particularly skilled at forecasting important developments.8 Contact with the military was an early influence on his thinking.A John AdairAdair is the pioneering British thinker in the theory of leadership. He was the first person in the UK to hold a professorship in Business Leadership and has published a series of influential books on the subject.Despite his quiet appearance, Adair has had a colourful life, serving in a Bedouin regiment and working on an Arctic fishing boat! His initial interest in leadership came from his army experience and he used to lecture at the highly prestigious academy where British army offices are trained. He now works as an international consultant.B Edward de BonoDe Bono is unusual among major gurus for two reasons: firstly, he was born not in one of the great industrial nations but on the tiny island of Malta. Secondly, his ideas have reached a wider audience than just managers, so that his books have become essential rending in many different disciplines.Most of de Bono s work has been concerned with the way human beings can train themselves to think more creatively. This apparently simple idea has resulted in37 books and a highly successful career as a lecturer and consultant.C Peter DruckerProbably no other single thinker has done as much as Drucker to establish management as a serious area of study. Certainly, his fellow management thinkers consider him one of the founding fathers of the discipline, and his books and articles are quoted more than those of any other management writer.His first book was published as far back as 1939, yet he is still writing and teaching. His greatest distinction has been his ability to predict coming trends in business and economics. As a result, his ideas are treated with the greatest respect and interest.D Frederick HerzbergAlthough relatively few contemporary management students will have read his books, Herzberg s name is instantly recognisable to anyone who has studied industrial organisations. This is because the American psychologist was responsible for introducing the concept of motivation into management thinking.As a young man, Herzberg became deeply interested in mental illness and the human need for mental and emotional satisfaction. This led him to criticise the approach of many companies to job design, and to argue for the need for job enrichment to stimulate employees efforts.E Tom PetersThe American s reputation was created in the I 980s by the spectacular success of one book, In Search of Excellence, co-written with Robert Waterman. The two were working together as management consultants and no-one expected their first (and only) book to end up selling 5 million copies worldwide!Although his ideas have been criticised, Peters popularity as a speaker and writer has continued to grow. So much so that Peters has created his own business to market books, videos and consultancy based on his work.PART TWOQuestions 9 - 14·Read this text from an article about health clubs.·Choose the best sentence from the opposite page to fill in each of the gaps.·For each gap 9 - 14, mark one letter A - H on your Answer Sheet.·Do not use any letter more than once.·There is an example at the beginning (0).Travel stress brings boom to health clubsA rapid growth in business travel has provided a lucrative spin-off for British health clubs as companies try to prevent hard-working executives from suffering travel-related stress.Health clubs are fully booked throughout the coming months all around the country and many are planning to expand their facilities.0 H According to Gillie Turner, group marketing manager for the Champneys group of health clubs, during the last recession executives lost many of their extra benefits as companies cut back. . 9 She says that large companies also seem to have decided that it is no good sending someone to a country like Spain as a reward for doing a good job, because they will simply eat too much and flop onto a beach. . 10 Champneys, the company acknowledged as the market leader in this field, is now planning to introduce a special "Profiting from Stress" course, which will run over three days. . 11 Jonathon Stapleton, general manager of Champneys, says that modern corporate life being what it is, most business travellers find that they are having to do the work which - even a year ago - was done by two. 12To meet this new demand, other health clubs are also thinking of introducing similar schemes. Clare Brandish, the sales and marketing director of another health club, has noticed a marked change in the clientele at her club. . 13Businesses of all kinds are anxious to reduce absenteeism. . 14 Much of the problem is caused by long periods away from home, irregular hours, business entertaining and jet lag.According to the Guild of Business Travel Agents, sales of business-class airline tickets have risen by 12% in the past year, hotel bookings have gone up by 36% and car hire has risen by 24%. Dave Reynolds, the GBTA chief executive, says that the trouble is that the same number of people are being asked to travel more often. He comments that it is nowonder they need to take a break in a health club.A It has been calculated that about 40 million working days are lost each year in Britain because of stress, ten times as many as are lost 10 industrial disputes.B This has involved a considerable rise in the number of business bookings, whereas previously most clients came as private individuals.C Now they are being restored, as industry realises that the health of its executives is vital.D But who will benefit most from these developments?E Because of the pressures this imposes, many companies have now decided that it is worthwhile paying for their senior executives to take a proper break and get advice on how to combat stress.F Executives taking part in it will be given massages and health treatments, workouts and a range of talks on how to deal with stress, especially when travelling.G So what s the reason for this now trend?PART THREEQuestions 15 - 20·Read the following article on recruiting and managing staff and the questions on the opposite page.·Each question has four suggested answers or ways of finishing the sentence, A, B, C and D.·Mark one letter A, B, C or D on your Answer Sheet, for the answer you choose.As a manager in the service industry sector, I've looked at hundreds of CVs in my time. They are not necessarily the bland documents some bosses might think they are! They are full of little pointers towards individual’s personalities and suitability for the job. The first thing I always look at is an applicant s employment record. I check for continuity and stability. If somebody has a long list of previous jobs, all of varying length, alarm bells start ringing. Rather than an irregular route from job to job, what I hope to see is stable career progression. What does their career path look like - is it all steps forward, or are there a lot of sideways moves? And I am always pleased to find a family person with children, because in my experience they tend to be responsible and reliable.I never rely on CVs alone. We get applicants to fill in one of our own application forms. We ask why they've applied, what their aspirations and personal goals are, and also about their interests and hobbies and any clubs they belong to. That gives you a useful insight into their personality and lifestyle. The application form also enables us to test how much people have actually been progressing in their careers, because we ask for details of the salaries they have received for each job.It s always worth looking at CVs and designing application forms with great care. Taking on employees might be rewarding, but it is also a big investment for any business. Mistakes in choosing staff can cost companies dear, so it makes sense to spend time ensuring you get the right person.In the service sector, one of the aims of companies is to maintain and improve customer service, and this is achieved partly through low staff turnover. You need to take on people who understand that, and will want to stay. That s why, when you've taken staff on, the next thing is getting the best out of them.My management style comes from the days when I took over my first business, ailing road haulage firm which I was certain I could turn into a profitable company. The first thing is to treat others as you d like to be treated yourself. As soon as I tookover the business, I talked to everybody individually, and looked for ways to make sure their particular skills benefited the company.I didn't have much experience then of managing people, but above all I always tried to be fair and honest with everyone. As a result, I think the staff knew that and accepted my decisions, even if they didn't agree with them all. Also, bosses must be able to communicate. You also need to create team spirit, and build on the strength of the team. I explained my plans for the company to all the staff, and let them all know what I needed from them. The lorry drivers responded brilliantly, and were the key to turning the business round. They understood that we had to develop a professional reputation, and from then on the days of poor quality deliveries were over.Lastly, I am a great believer in profit-sharing. It takes a team to make a company work, so profits should be shared by all. Job satisfaction is important, but it doesn't pay the rent. Shared profit and bonuses help to strengthen team spirit by giving everyone a common goal that they work towards together.15 What fact does the writer hope to learn from applicants CVs?A that they have experience of many different jobsB that their careers have developed steadilyC the opinion their employers had of themD whether they are married or single16 The writer says the application form is useful because itA reveals something of the applicant s character.B gives information about the applicant s family.C explains what skills the applicant has for the job.D shows how much the applicant wants to earn.17 According to the writer, why are CVs and application forms so important?An Interviewing people are an expensive process.B They indicate whether applicants really want the job.C They indicate whether applicants are efficient or not.D Employing the wrong people can be disastrous.18 One reason why the writer was successful in her first business was thatA she was used to dealing with people.B she was open with the staff.转贴于: C the business was already doing well when she started.D the staff agreed with all her decisions.19 The writer believes profit-sharing is a good idea becauseA it encourages a competitive spirit.B everyone earns the same salary.C everyone shares the same aim.D it creates job satisfaction.20 Which would make the best title for this text?A Profit-sharing as motivationB How I turned a business roundC People - the key to business successD The importance of a well-presented CVPART FOURQuestions 21 - 30·Read the article below about a method of learning languages for business people.·Choose the best word from the opposite page to fill each gap.·For each question 21 - 30 mark one letter A, B, C or D on your Answer Sheet.·There is an example at the beginning (0).Language learning for the busy executiveIf you've ever been told by your boss to improve your knowledge of a foreign language you'll know that ……(0)……doesn't come quickly. It generally takes years to learn another language well and constant ……(21)……to maintain the high standards required for frequent business use. Whether you study in a class, with audiocassettes, computers or on your ……(22)……sooner or ……(23)……every language course finishes and you must decide what to do next if you need a foreign language for your career.Business Audio Magazines is a new product designed to help you continue language study in a way that fits easily into your busy schedule. Each audiocassette ……(24)……of an hour-long program packed with business news, features and interviews in the language of your choice. These cassettes won t teach you how to order meals or ask for directions. It is ……(25)……that you can do that already. Instead, by giving you an opportunity to hear the language as it s really spoken, they help you to ……(26)……your vocabulary and improve your ability to use real language relating to, for example, that all-important marketing trip.The great advantage of using audio magazines is that they ……(27)……you to perfect your language skills in ways that suit your lifestyle. For example, you can select a topic and listen in your car or hotel when away on business. No other business course is as ……(28)……And the unique radio-magazine format is as instructive as it is entertaining. In addition to the audiocassette, this package includes a transcript with a business glossary and a study ……(29)……The components are structured so that intermediate and advanced students may use them separately or together ……(30)……on their ability.Example: A B C D20 A gain B result C success D outcome21 A exercise B performance C practice D operation22 A self B individual C personal D own23 A after B then C later D quicker24 A consists B includes C contains D involves25 A insisted B acquired C asserted D assumed26 A prolong B extend C spread D lift27 A allow B let C support D offer28 A adjustable B flexible C convertible D variable29 A addition B supplement C extra D manuscript30 A according B depending C relating D basingQuestions 31 - 40·Read the article below about meetings.·For each question 31 - 40 write one word in CAPITAL LETTERS on your Answer Sheet.How to make more of meetingsYou should know what ends you want to achieve in a meeting before it starts and prepare for it (0)……reading any papers circulated beforehand, and carefully thinking about (31)……you want to say. This may sound rather boring, but solid preparation is the key to successful meetings: A great (32)……of time and energy can be wasted through simple lack of planning.The most important issues are not always given the most time in the general running of meetings. People are often unwilling (33)……discuss important budgetary matters because they do not fully understand them, but (34)……becomes an expert when it comes to discussing the color of the new curtains, or what type ofcoffee to buy The discussion of (35)……trivial matters as these, therefore, should be saved until the end of the meeting.During the meeting it is essential to stick to the agenda so (36)……to avoid the common problem of repetition. At the same time you (37)……to be sensitive to other people s ideas and feelings, and never lose your temper. Be prepared to accept (38)……implement a suggestion that is contrary to (39)……own ideas if it is an improvement on them; Such honesty and flexibility are signs of good leadership and earn respect.Finally, remember that when a decision is made it is important to act (40)……it and to honor all the commitments you have made in the meeting.PART SIXQuestions 41 - 50·In most lines of the following text, there is one unnecessary word. It is either grammatically incorrect or does not fit in with the sense of the text.·For each numbered line 41 - 50, find the unnecessary word and then write the word in CAPITAL LETTERS on your Answer Sheet. Some lines are correct. If a line is correct, write CORRECT on your Answer Sheet. The exercise begins with two examples (0) and (00).Customer care0 Apart from ensuring that an efficient electricity supply for our00 customers, NatElectric provides an invaluable service in other areas41 as well. While our Customer Helpline (charged at local rates) is the42 first point of contact with when you want to make an enquiry and43 we receive a huge number of calls from customers - on44 average, there are 50 000 calls a one week. Available 24 hours45 a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, our Helpline on advisors46 aim at to answer 95 per cent of all calls within 15 seconds. There47 are more than 200 advisors, working in around the clock to48 provide for this service, backed by a further 80 support staff49 who do handle any necessary paperwork? Although our target50 is to reply to letters within 10 working days, NatElectric regularly responds withinthree to four days, and we are especially proud of the standards achieved by ourcustomer relations team.。

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BEC商务英语高级考试阅读真题There have long been markets in tin, cocoa, silver and the like. There used to be security in thinking that somewhere there was a product, something you could touch and see. Now there are new markets in abstractions, trade in ideas and knowledge. Everyone has knowledge but there used to be no way to trade it ------except through jobs. That simple fact of economic life was the basis for white collar employment for centuries. The whole job culture grew up because there was no alternative way to sell knowledge , other then the worker or manager providing, for a fixed price, his or her knowledge to an employer to own or control. The quantity of knowledge provided has typically been measured in time.But today we stand at the threshold of a new era. The information economy has matured and become smarter. According to many business commentators, we are now living in a knowledge economy .There has always been a market for knowledge, of course. The publishing industry is based on it. But today the internet is making the distribution of knowledge ever easier. The days when the publisher decided what got published are over. Anyone with a PC and a modem can talk to the world. This is reducing the friction in the knowledge economy.Everyone has knowledge of whatever industry she or he is in. say you are a computer dealer, for example. Over the years your have complied a list of the ten best lowest price places to buywholesale computer equipment. Now you can sell your knowledge to newer, younger computer dealers who have no way to build up this knowledge without losing thousands of pounds finding it out the hard way. Until now, such knowledge remained securely locked in the recipient’s head ,accumulated and then worthlessly withered away. This no longer needs to be the case. Such knowledge can be sold via websites.Knowledge has a distinct advantage in today’s marketplace. It’s a renewable resource. Better yet, its worth actually increases, . “knowledge is the only asset that grows with use. “observes Scanford University Professor Paul Romer. But what exactly is knowledge and how can it be packaged to trade on an open market”“knowledge is experiential information, intelligence applied thorough and gained from experience.”Say Josenph Pine and James Gilmore in their book The Experience Economy.The value of knowledge often depends on variables such as time and the credibility of the seller.Certain knowledge may have a very limited shelf life. In sights concerning how to set up an internet business in one country, might be worth a fortune on one day and nothing the next , depending on changes in government policy. Markets in knowledge will be significance for one thing. They represent one of the most original uses of the web technology. In some corner of the globe there is a company wanting to source plastic widgets from Poland, and somewhere else another company that wishes to set up a plastics factory there. It’s simply a case ofconnecting the two.Indicater is a good example of a knowledge trader. It is targeted at food service managers throughout the hospitality industry. “we started with the context rather than extracting money from suppliers. “explains founder Mike Day. “we offer food service professionals interactive support to increase sales and profits. People don’t want another one-dimensional site full of advertising that doesn’t help them to do their job more effectively,it has to be customised offering real solutions to real problems. “the site’s features include access to online training and a tariff tracker to restaurants can check prices throughout the sector.15. what point is made in the first paragraph?A Interest in commodity markets has decreased.B Overall levels of expertise have improved.C Opportunities to exploit your knowledge were limited in the pastD External market forces have meant knowledge is underpriced.16 what are we told about the current impact of the internet in the second paragraph?A publishers benefit from their exploitation of the internet.B the internet has made it easier to analyse business trends.C It is difficult to calculate the true economic value of the internet.D The internet facilitates the development of the knowledge economy.17 In the third paragraph, what does the writer say about knowledge?A Acquiring knowledge can be expensiveB The most valuable knowledge concerns ITC Trading knowledge raises issues of security.D New businesses find it hard to trade in knowledge.18. What point is made about knowledge in the fourth paragraph?A It provides specialist informationB Its appeal lies in its exclusivityC it can generate new ideasD Its value accumulates.19 which application of knowledge does the writer regard as particularly useful?A analyzing manufacturing trendsB introducing compatible partiesC interpreting time constraintsD advising on legislation20 what key feature is provided by Indicater?A approaches that reflect the provider’s own experienceB access to appropriately trained potential employees.C advice which directly benefits the bottom lineD advertising which is carefully targeted关于知识经济时代知识的重要性。

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