Question

It's difficult not to become involved in gossip at work. After all, people like gossip and interesting bits of information: you only have to look at the number of celebrity-focused publications to realize that we have a huge appetite for discussing other people's lives. At work, however, this type of interaction is harmful and costly. It wastes time, damages reputations, promotes divisiveness (分歧)and creates anxiety.

Rumours often grow because people like to be " in the know". Knowledge is power, and that's why the people with the least amount of power in an organization can often be the ones to start and spread rumours. It can make them feel important if they're seen to know things that others don't.

This knowledge is at the centre of why and how ru?mours start and spread. Insufficient (不足的)knowledge or incomplete information is often to blame. Consider these examples:

?People don't know why a colleague was fired, so they make up a reason based on some limited knowledge or insignificant facts. "I saw John override(打开)the cash register the other day without a supervisor present. Maybe he stole some money and that's why he went."

?People see a pattern of behaviour between two individuals and they add their own explanation. "Joseph and Samantha spend a lot of time together after hours 'catching up on paperwork'. And just yesterday, they were sitting awfully close to each other in the meeting. I bet paperwork isn't all that's getting done after work!"

These rumours are typical of the things you'll face at work, and they spread because of a lack of accurate information. So, the best way to fight rumours is with good communication. When you communicate well, your team knows what's happening, and they trust that you'll keep them informed. Good communication within your team also means that you will become aware of any rumours that are starting, and you'll be able to address them quickly and effectively.

5.    The huge number of celebrity-focused publications reveals that     .

A.    celebrities depend on publications to achieve fame

B.    people like discussing other people's lives

C.    the publishing industry is booming

D.    celebrities are rather disturbed by rumours

6.    The passage is developed mainly .

A.    by using time order

B.    by making comparisons

C.    by giving figures

D.    by giving examples

7.    What is the relationship between Joseph and Saman?tha in the eyes of the people spreading rumours?

A.    They are lovers.

B.    They are work partners.

C.    They are rivals.

D.    They are old friends.

8.    What is mainly discussed in the last paragraph?

A.    How to fight rumours.

B.    Why rumours start.

C.    How to communicate with colleagues.

D.    Why knowledge matters.

Answer 1

【文章大意】谣言是我们生活工作中最大的敌人和障碍，这使得我们与他人之间的合作和相互信任越来越困难。那么我们该如何跨越这道障碍呢？

B 细节理解题。根据"…you only have to look at the number of celebrity-focused publications to realize that we have a huge appetite for discussing other people's lives."可知人们很喜欢谈论其他人的生活。所以选B。

D篇章结构题。文章讲了工作中两个常见的散布谣言的例子，并以此为例进行了后面的讨论。所以选D。

A推理判断题。散布谣言的人认为他们俩最近在一起的时间很长，并且上次开会还紧紧地坐在了一起，因此怀疑他们俩是情侣关系。所以选A。

A段落大意题。文章最后一段告诉我们应该如何应对瑶言。所以选A。