In recent years many countries of the world have been faced with the problem of how to make their workers more productive.Some experts claim the answer is to make jobs more varied.But do more various jobs lead to greater productivity?There is evidence to suggest that while variety certainly makes the worker’s life more enjoyable, it does not actually make him work harder.As far as increasing productivity is concerned, then variety is not an important factor.
Other experts feel that giving the worker freedom to do his job in his own way is important, and there is no doubt that this is true.The problem is that this kind of freedom cannot easily be given in the modern factory with its complicated machinery, which must be used in a fixed way.Thus while freedom of choice may be important, there is usually very little that can be done to create it.
Another very important consideration is how each worker contributes to the product he is making.In most factories the worker sees only one part of the product.Some car factories are now experimenting with having many small production lines rather than one large one, so that each worker contributes more to the production of cars on his line.It would seem that not only is degree of the worker contribution an important factor, therefore, but it is also one we can do something about.
To what extent does more money lead to greater productivity?The workers themselves certainly think this is important.But perhaps they want more money only because the work they do is boring.Money just lets them enjoy their spare time more.A similar argument may explain demands for shorter working hours.Perhaps if we succeed in making their jobs more interesting, they will neither want more money, nor will shorter working hours be so important to them.
(1)
Which of the following is the best way to make workers work harder according to the author?
[ ]
A.
Making the work itself meaningful.
B.
Giving them more spare time.
C.
Increasing their pay.
D.
Replacing large production lines with small ones.
(2)
The reason why a worker cannot have freedom in doing the job in his own way is that ________.
[ ]
A.
the machinery is so complex that it should be fixed
B.
the production lines are too large in modern factories
C.
the machines must be operated strictly according to instructions and rules
D.
the bosses can create very little freedom of choices for workers
(3)
For a worker on an assembly line in a car factory, the job is not enjoyable because ________.
[ ]
A.
he can only make a part of a car
B.
he does not know what he is doing
C.
his life in spare time is more interesting
D.
the importance of his job is not clear to him
(4)
In the article, the word“productivity”means ________.
One night when my wife was preparing dinner, our little son took a piece of paper to her which read:
For washing the car $5.00
For making my own bed this week $1.00
Going to the provision shop $0.50
Playing with little sister $0.25
Taking out the rubbish $1.00
Getting a good report card $5.00
And for sweeping the common corridor $2.00
Total $14.75
His mother looked at him standing there expecting payment.I could see a thousand memories flashed through her mind.So she picked up the pen and turning the paper over, this is what she wrote:
For nine months I carried you, growing inside me No Charge
For the nights I sat up with you, doctored and prayed for you No Charge
For the toys, food and clothes and wiping your nose No Charge
When you add it all up, the full cost of my love No Charge
Well, when he finished reading, he had big tears in his eyes.He looked at his mother and said,“Mummy, I love you.”Then he took the pen and in great big letters wrote on the“bill”“All paid.”
(1)
What's the best title for this passage?
[ ]
A.
Part-time Job
B.
Mother's Love, No Charge
C.
Payment for House Work
D.
Greedy Mother
(2)
The write wrote the passage in order to ________.
[ ]
A.
show that children should be paid for their housework
B.
show that children should not be paid for their housework
C.
show a clever way of teaching children
D.
tell children how to spend their spare time
(3)
How do you think of the mother in the passage?
[ ]
A.
Clever
B.
Greedy
C.
Cold-hearted
D.
Selfish
(4)
From the last passage we know that ________
[ ]
A.
the boy got all the money he wanted
B.
the mother was unwilling to give the money to the boy
C.
the boy realized that it was not right to ask for money for the housework
D.
the mother was angry with what the boy said
阅读理解
Once upon a time the colors of the world started to quarrel.Green said,“Clearly I am the most important.I am the sign of life and hope.I was chosen for grass, trees and leaves.Without me, all animals would 1 .”
Blue interrupted,“You only think about the 2 , but consider the sky and the sea. 3 the water that is the basis of life and drawn up by the clouds from the deep sea.Without my peace, you would all be 4 .”
Yellow chuckled(笑道),“You are all so serious.I bring laughter, fun, and 5 into the world.”
Orange started next to blow her trumpet,“I am the color of health and strength.I may be 6 , but I am precious for I serve the needs of human life.When I fill the sky 7 , my beauty is so striking that no one gives another 8 to any of you.”
Red could stand it 9 and he shouted out,“I am the ruler of all of you.I am the color of danger and of bravery.I am willing to 10 truth.I am also the color of passion and of love.”
Then came Purple and Indigo(深蓝)….
The colors went on boasting, each convinced of his or her own 11 .Their quarreling became louder and louder.Suddenly there was a startling flash of bright lightening thunder.Rain started to pour down 12 .The colors crouched(蜷缩)down 13 , drawing close to one another for comfort.
In the midst of the clamor(叫嚷), rain began to speak,“You foolish colors, fighting 14 yourselves, each trying to dominate 15 .Don't you know that you were each made for a special purpose, 16 ?Join hands with 17 and come to me.”
Doing as they were told, the colors 18 and joined hands.They formed a colorful rainbow.From then on, whenever a good rain 19 the world, a rainbow appears in the sky.They remember to 20 one another.