If U.S.software companies don't pay more attention to quality, they could kiss their business good-bye.Both India and Brazil are developing a world-class software industry.Their weapon is quality and one of their jobs is to attract the top U.S.quality specialists whose voices are not listened to in their country.
Already, of the world's 12 software houses that have earned the highest rating in the world, seven are in India.That's largely because they have used new methods rejected by American software specialists.For example, for decades, quality specialists, W.Edwards Deming and J.M.Juran had urged U.S.software companies to change their attitudes to quality.But their quality call mainly fell on deaf ears in the U.S-but not in Japan.By the 1970s and 1980s, Japan was grabbing market share with better, cheaper products.They used Deming's and Juran's ideas to bring down the cost of good quality to as little as 5% of total production costs.In U.S.factories, the cost of quality then was 10 times as high:50%.In software, it still is.
Watts S.Humphrey spent 27 years at IBM heading up software production and then quality assurance.But his advice was seldom paid attention to.He retired from IBM in 1986.In 1987, he worked out a system for assessing(evaluating)and improving software quality.It has proved its value time and again.For example, in 1990 the cost of quality at Raytheon Electronics Systems was almost 60% of total software production costs.It fell to 15% in 1996 and has since further dropped to below 10%.
Like Deming and Juran, Humphrey seems to be winning more praises overseas than at home.The Indian government and several companies have just founded the Watts Humphrey Software Quality Institute at the Software Technology Park in Chennai, India.Let's hope that U.S.lead in software will not be eaten up by its quality problems.
(1)
What country has more highest-rating companies in the world than any other country has?
[ ]
A.
India.
B.
The US.
C.
Brazil.
D.
Germany.
(2)
Which of the following statements about Humphrey is true?
[ ]
A.
He is now still an IBM employer.
B.
He has worked for IBM for 37 years.
C.
India honors him highly.
D.
The US pays much attention to his quality advice.
(3)
By what means did Japan grab its large market share by the 1970s and the 1980s?
[ ]
A.
Its advertising was most successful.
B.
Its products were cheaper in price and better in quality.
C.
The US hardware industry was lagging behind.
D.
Japan hired a lot of Indian software specialists.
(4)
What is the writer worrying about?
[ ]
A.
Many US software specialists are working for Japan.
B.
The quality problem has become a worldwide problem.
C.
India and Japan are joining hands to compete with the US.
D.
The US will no longer be the first software player in the world.
Israeli paintings-Israeli artist Menashe Kadishman will hold a personal show named “Flock of Sheep” from November 26 to December 20 at the China National Art Museum.On show are 550 colorful oil paintings of sheep heads.
His works have been on show in the Metropolitan Museum in New York and Tate Gallery in London over the past 30 years.
Time:9∶00 a. m.-4∶00 p. m., November 26-December 20.
Place:China National Art Museum,1 Wusi Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing.
Tel:6401-2252
Russia Ballet-The Kremlin Ballet from Russia will perform two immortal classical ballets-“Swiss Lake” and “The Nutcracker”-at the Beijing Beizhan Theatre.Set up in 1990, the theatre has a number of first-class ballet dancers with pride.Most of their performances are classical.
Time:7∶15 p. m., December 5 and 6(“Swan Lake”); 7∶15 p. m., December 7(“Nutcracker”)
Folk concert-The Central Conservatory of Music(音乐学院)will hold a folk concert in memory of the late musician Situ Huacheng.
On the programme are many popular folks such as “Moon Night on the Bamboo Tower” “Celebrating Harvest” “Deep and Lasting Friendship” “Golden Snake Dancers Wildly”, and “Children?s Holiday”.
Time:7∶30 p. m., November 25.
Place:Beijing Concert Hall, 1 Beixinhua Street.
Tel:6605-5812
(1)
If a child is very fond of dancing, his parent should take him to ________.
[ ]
A.
China National Art Museum
B.
Beizhan Theatre
C.
Beijing Concert Hall
D.
1 Wusi Street
(2)
Menashe Kadishman is well known for painting ________.
[ ]
A.
deer
B.
birds
C.
sheep
D.
flowers
(3)
Which of the following is TRUE?
[ ]
A.
The folk concert will last three days.
B.
The ballet “The Nutcracker” will be put on once.
C.
The Israeli paintings will be on show for a month.
D.
China National Art Museum lies in Xicheng District.
(4)
If you dial the telephone number 6605-3388 on Dec.8, you can ________.
[ ]
A.
go to the folk concert
B.
visit the Art Museum
C.
watch the ballet
D.
none of the above
阅读理解
ISC(HS)Reference No.S006864 New South Wales
Student Date of Birth:19/08/1988 Department of Education and Training
International Students Centre
Hong Xue 827-839 George Street PO Box 707
60 Waratah Street Broadway NSW 21007
Croydon Park NSW 2133 Phone:(612)9217 4801 1300 302 456
Fax:(612)9212 6721
http://www.tafensw.edu.au/international/
WARNING LETTER
Dear Hong Xue,
As you are aware, your student visa regulations set out a number of conditions applying to your visa.It has come to our attention that you are failing to meet the following conditions:You must maintain accommodation, support and general welfare arrangements that have been approved by your education provider if you:
●have not turned 18; and
●are not staying in Australia with:
-a parent
-a custodian(监护人); or
-a relative who has been nominated(指定)by your parent or a custodian, is aged at least 21 and is of good character.
Note:You must not change those arrangements without the written approval of your education provider.
You must obey the following rules:
1.During term time you must:
a)remain in your homestay during the school term;
b)come home every night; and
c)inform your guardian at all times of your whereabouts.
2.On weekends you must:
a)have your guardian's permission to stay with friends; and
b)inform your guardian of the name, address and phone numbers of people you are visiting.
3.You must return your guardian's telephone calls.
This will be your only warning.If you continue to breach(违反)your student visa regulations we will report you to the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs.Such action may lead to the cancellation(取消)of your student visa.Please contact me on(612)9217 4801 or fax(612)9212 6721 if you have questions about your enrolment.
Yours sincerely
Tracey Carlon
Student Advisor
International Students Centre
NSW Department of Education and Training
(1)
What's the purpose of writing this letter?
[ ]
A.
To remind the recipient of the conditions for applying for a student visa.
B.
To warn the recipient not to do anything against his student visa regulations again.
C.
To tell the recipient how to contact his student advisor.
D.
To inform the recipient of the student visa regulations.
(2)
What can be learned about the recipient from this letter?
[ ]
A.
He is under 18 and studies in Australia with his parents.
B.
He is required to come home every night according to the rules.
C.
He can stay with his friends on weekends if permitted.
D.
His student Visa has been cancelled.
(3)
To which address should the recipient reply if he feels like answering the letter?
[ ]
A.
Hong Xue at 60 Waratah Street, Croydon Park NSW 2133.
B.
Tracey Carlon at the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs.
C.
Hong Xue at NSW Department of Education and Training.
D.
Tracey Carlon at 827-839 George Street, PO Box 707, Broadway NSW 21007.
阅读理解
Many people like the feeling of the gentle wind in spring.Many like to see the falling leaves dancing in the wind in autumn.But sometimes, when the wind becomes a storm, it can be very destructive(毁灭性的).
A series of such storms struck the US last month and caused very serious damage and human pain.
Every year, major storms cause many problems around the world.There is nothing people can do to stop these powerful forces of nature.But new techniques are helping scientists to predict(预测)how, when, and where big storms will happen.The more exact scientists' warnings are, the better people can prepare for the storms.
Predictions are improving.“We've gotten better over the years, especially the last few years,”says Phil Klotzback, a scientist at an American university.How is a storm formed? Even if scientists know where a storm will happen, winds can suddenly change, carrying the storm to a new direction.“For a hurricane to happen, conditions have to be just right,”Klotzback says.
First, the ocean water needs to be warm enough so that it evaporates and rises into the air.As it rises, the vapor(水蒸气)cools and turns back into liquid.This process gives off heat.This produces energy like an engine that causes winds to increase.It drives the formation(形成)of a hurricane.
If wind speeds reach 40 miles per hour, the system is called a“tropical storm”(热带风暴), and it gets a name.At 75 miles per hour, it becomes a hurricane.
Hurricanes that hit the US start when a thunderstorm forms off the coast of Africa.Storms also develop over tropical waters in other parts of the world.
On average, 60 or 70 storms form off Africa every year.About 10 of them get names.There are usually about six hurricanes.Two tend to be very big, with winds of 115 miles per hour or higher.
The hurricane season lasts from June to November.Ninety percent of all hurricanes hit in August, September, and October.
(1)
According to the passage, hurricanes usually ________.
[ ]
A.
form off the coast of Africa and America
B.
travel at 40 miles per hour and get its name
C.
hit parts of the world in summer and autumn
D.
cause sea winds to rise and blow over the sea
(2)
The underlined word“evaporates”(in Paragraph 5)probably means“________”.
[ ]
A.
begins to move
B.
changes into a gas
C.
becomes hot
D.
gets lost
(3)
Which of the following about the information of a hurricane is in the correct order?
a.The ocean water evaporates and goes into the air.
b.Heat creates energy and causes winds to increase.
c.The vapor cools.
d.The ocean water is warm enough.
e.The vapor changes back into liquid.
f.This course gives out heat.
[ ]
A.
a, d, e, b, c, f
B.
a, b, c, f, d, e
C.
d, a, b, c, e, f
D.
d, a, c, e, f, b
(4)
Which of the following statements is NOT true?
[ ]
A.
One out of six or seven storms get names.
B.
Every year at least 60 storms form off Africa.
C.
The speed of the biggest two hurricanes reaches 115miles per hour.
D.
About one third of the hurricanes tend to be very big.
阅读理解
Below is a web page from http://www.tvguide.com/.
Tonight's TV Hot List:Sunday January 31, 2010
Grammy Awards 8/7c CBS
Beyoncé and Taylor Swift are ready to take home a lot of hardware tonight as they lead all artists with 10 and eight nominations.The ladies also perform, along with fellow Album of the Year nominees the Black Eyed Peas, Lady Gaga and the Dave Matthews Band.In addition, Bon Jovi, Green Day, Lady Antebellum, Maxwell, Pink and Zac Brown Band will also take the stage.But perhaps the most expected moment is the Michael Jackson tribute(吊唁礼物), which features the 3-D mini-movie "Earth Song" and will be highlighted by performers Celine Dion, Jennifer Hudson, Smokey Robinson, Carrie Underwood and Usher.
Maurer 9/8c NBC
A mysterious company named Sabre, headed by an attractive, stubborn CEO(Kathy Bates), appears out of nowhere and buys out(买断股份)Dunder Mifflin.As Michael is unwilling to follow Sabre's new policies, Andy and Erin write a welcome song to greet the company.Meanwhile, Pam and Jim hope to get accepted into a desired local day-care center.
Surviving Survivor 8/7c CBS
It's hard to believe it's been 10 years since the first season of Survivor.But tonight ten of the game's most iconic players, including previous winners Richard Hatch, Parvati Shallow and Tom Westman, discuss the series in detail and provide insights into how the game is actually played and the impact it's had on their lives.In addition, updates on beloved former castaways, like Ethan Zohn, Rupert Boneham and Elisabeth Hasselbeck, are given.
Private Practice 10∶01/9∶01c ABC
So Maya's pregnant and wants to have the baby.What to do now? Dink(Stephen Lunsford), the boy who did his part to get her into this mess, has a solution:He wants to marry her.You can imagine how Sam and Naomi will feel about that.And if that won't raise the histrionic level enough for you, how about this:A couple has two dying daughters, and only one can be saved.Their choice.And Brian Benben is back, so expect more Pete-Violet- Sheldon angst.
(1)
Edna is crazy about pop stars, so she will most likely choose ________ to enjoy.
[ ]
A.
Grammy Awards
B.
Maurer
C.
Surviving Survivor
D.
Private Practice
(2)
From the passage, we can learn that Dunder Mifflin is ________.
[ ]
A.
a CEO
B.
a company
C.
an employee in the company
D.
a piece of office equipment
(3)
According to the passage, Surviving Survivor is most probably ________.