成人英语三级考试阅读理解精练

Questions 1 to 5 are based on the following passage: New technology links the world as never before. Our planet has shrunk. It's now a "global village" where countries are only seconds away by fax or phone or satellite link. And, of course,

Questions 1 to 5 are based on the following passage:

New technology links the world as never before. Our planet has shrunk. It's now a "global village" where countries are only seconds away by fax or phone or satellite link. And, of course, our ability to benefit from this high-tech communications equipment is greatly enhanced by foreign language skills.

Deeply involved with this new technology is a breed of modern businesspeople who have a growing respect for the economic value of doing business abroad. In modern markets, success overseas often helps support domestic business efforts.

Overseas assignments are becoming increasingly important to advancement within executive ranks. The executive stationed in another country no longer need fear being "out of sight and out of mind." He or she can be sure that the overseas effort is central to the company's plan for success, and that promotions often follow or accompany an assignment abroad. If an employee can succeed in a difficult assignment overseas, superiors will have greater confidence in his or her ability to cope back in the United States where cross-cultural considerations and foreign language issues are becoming more and more prevalent（普遍的）.

Thanks to a variety of relatively inexpensive communications devices with business applications, even small businesses in the United States are able to get into international markets.

English is still the international language of business. But there is an ever-growing need for people who can speak another language. A second language isn't generally required to get a job in business, but having language skills gives a candidate the edge when other qualification appear to be equal.

The employee posted abroad who speaks the country's principal language has an opportunity to fast-forward certain negotiations, and can have the cultural insight to know when it is better to move more slowly. The employee at the home office who can communicate well with foreign clients over the telephone or by fax machine is an obvious asset to the firm.

1. What is the author's attitude toward high-teach communications equipment?

A) Critical.

B) Prejudiced.

C) Indifferent.

D) Positive.

2. With the increased use of high-tech communications equipment, businesspeople ____.

A) have to get familiar with modern technology

B) are gaining more economic benefits from domestic operations

C) are attaching more importance to their overseas business

D) are eager to work overseas

3. In this passage, "out of sight and our of mind" (Lines 2-3. Para. 3) probably means ____.

A) being unable to think properly for lack of insight

B) being totally out of touch with business at home

C) missing opportunities for promotion when abroad

D) leaving all care and worry behind

4. According to the passage, what is an important consideration of international corporations in employing people today?

A) Connections with businesses overseas.

B) Ability to speak the client's language.

C) Technical know-how.

D) Business experience.

5. The advantage of employees having foreign skills is that they can ____.

A) better control the whole negotiation process

B) easily find new approaches to meet market needs

C) fast-forward their proposals to headquarters

D) easily make friends with businesspeople abroad

参考答案

【注释】

本文属于一般阐述性的文章。中心议题是外语能力(foreign language skills)在贸易往来中的重要性。作者开篇阐述高科技术通讯拉近了世界各国之间的距离并且已经形成了“地球村”，进而提出外语能力是我们得益于这些高技术通讯的重要因素。第2自然段阐述海外企业越来越注重经济发展的效益。第3自然段阐述被派海外的高层工作的晋升变得越来越重要。第4自然段阐述随着高技术通讯在商业中的使用，甚至连小企业也进入了国际市场。第5自然段阐述英语这门语言在贸易往来市场的重要性。最后一段阐述具有语言能力的人在求职和工作时占有优势。

【答案解析】

1. (D)。本题考点出自第1自然段。作者在本段阐述了高科技术通讯缩短了世界各国之间的差距，而我们得益于这些高技术是由于我们具有外语能力。所以作者对高科技术通讯的态度是“积极肯定的”。

2. (C)。本题考点出自第2自然段的“…who have a growing respect for the economic value of doing business abroad.这些商人越来越注重海外事业的经济价值。”

3. (C)。本题考点出自第3自然段。由于被派海外的高层管理人员的晋升变得越来越重要，所以这些被派到海外工作的管理人员不用再担心在工作的晋升中被遗忘，即“out of sight, out of mind.眼不见，心不烦。”

4. (B)。本题考点出自第5自然段。本段阐述了英语这门语言在贸易往来市场中的重要性，尤其是最后一句的“…, but having language skills gives a candidate the edge when other qualification appear to be equal.在其他条件等同的情况下，具有语言能力的候选人占有优势。”所以跨国公司招牌雇员重要考虑的是“能讲顾客的语言的能力。”

5. (A)。本题考点出自第6自然段的“…has an opportunity to fast-forward certain negotiation,…when it is better to move more slowly.……有机会促进谈判的进行，知道何时更好放慢谈判的进程。”所以掌握外语能力的雇员他们的优势是“能更好地控制整个谈判的进程”。