From bankers to factory staff, employees in the West face the bleak prospect of losing their jobs as a global recession starts to bite. For colleagues in the East, the pain is more likely to come through a pay cut.
       Human resource experts say cultural differences explain why Asian firms try harder to preserve jobs in difficult times, which will stem unemployment and may help keep Asian economies afloat at a time of slowing exports.
  The East Asian attitude may also make it easier for firms to recover quickly from the economic downturn since they will not need to rehire or train new staff, leaving some experts predicting a Western shift to Eastern flexibility.
  "In the Confucian mindset, the right thing to do is to share the burden. There's that sense of collective responsibility whereas in the West, it's more about individual survival," said Michael Benoliel, associate professor of organizational behavior at Singapore Management University (SMU).
  Steven Pang, Asia regional director for Aquent, a headhunting firm, said in many East Asian companies there was an obligation "to take care of members of the family and go through the pain together" even if that meant incurring losses.
  In contrast, Western counterparts often felt compelled to make dramatic statements to show investors they were serious about cost-cutting, Pang said.
  US firms from General Motors to Goldman Sachs plan to lay off workers by the thousands, but at the Asian units of Western multinationals, job cuts will probably be less severe.
  Japan's jobless rate was 4 percent in September, up from 3.8 percent in January, while Hong Kong's was flat at 3.4 percent. But US unemployment is expected to have jumped to 6.3 percent last month from below 5 percent in January.
  Experts say that while there are noticeable differences in labor practices in East and West, the gap will narrow as more firms become more multinational and competition forces firms to adopt the best practices of rivals from abroad.

81.   What caused the different practices of Asian and Western firms facing the global recession?

82.   Why is it easier for the East Asian firms to recover quickly from the economic downturn?

83.   Firms in the west would lay off workers when facing a bleak prospect because of_________.

84.   _______will make the differences in East and West less noticeable.

Directions: Read the text and choose the most suitable heading from this list for each paragraph of the text.

A. Possible problems due to global warming

B. Warmer summer in Dallas

C. Help from Methane

D. One important step

E. Getting warmer and warmer in some places

F. Problems bigger than benefits

76.__________

       Here is what global warming could do in a few years: in Dallas, a doubled level of carbon dioxide would increase the number of days a year with temperatures above 100 degrees from nineteen to seven-eight. On sixty-eight days, as opposed to the current four, the temperature wouldn’t fall below 80 degrees at night. One hundred and sixty-two days a year, the temperature would top 90 degrees.

77. __________

       Although most scientists agree that increasing levels of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases will inevitably lead to global warming, no one is certain how fast and how much temperatures will rise and what the effects will be in any geographical areas. This gives policymakers an excuse for delaying action. Some experts predict that within two centuries glaciers(冰川) in the North and South Poles will melt, ocean levels will rise, and much of what is now the coast of the United States will be under water. They also predict great droughts and hurricanes, as a result of climate changes.

78. __________

       Other scientists think the changes will be much more gradual, even beneficial. After all, Canada would not complain if the productive corn-growing lands were shifted north. While many nations could end up with milder climates, the change-perhaps 100 times faster than at any time in human history—could be so drastic(猛烈的) that many of the benefits would be lost. There could be crowds of environmental refugees, as well, making the tragedy of the Dust Bowl era seem mild in comparison.

79. __________

       What can we do? Humanity’s contribution to the greenhouse effect comes from so many basic activities that we can’t hope to eliminate it completely. Some steps have already been taken. Since the 1970’s, the use of CFCs as aerosol-can propellants(喷雾器) has seen banned in the United States.

80. __________

       Another strategy is to burn as much as methane(甲烷) as possible. This aids CO2 to the air, but since methane traps twenty times as much heat as CO2, the net result is worth-while. The gas in many garbage landfills is already being used in a number of places around the United States. It is being used to heat thousands of homes.

Section D

       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 qualifications 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.
72. 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
73. In this passage, “out of sight and out 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
74. 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.
75. The advantage of employees having foreign language 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

Here is a poster on a middle school web site. Read the web-site poster.

                                     Going, Going, Gone!

  The Haynes Middle School Parent—Teacher Organization invites you to attend our latest fund(基金)-raiser.

  The Fourth Annual(每年一次的) Haynes School Auction(拍卖)!

  Saturday, May 10

  6:00 pm — 11:00 pm   in the school hall

  6:00 pm — 6:30 pm:   All items for auction are previewed.

  6:30 pm — 7:00 pm:   Silent auction begins.

  7:00 pm — 7:30 pm:   Highest bidders(出价人) from silent auction are determined.

  7:30 pm — 11:00 pm:  Main auction begins.

  Items up for bid in the silent auction range in value from $ 5.00 to $ 30.00.

  Items up for bid in the main auction include the following:

  ●Airline tickets to a place of your choice

  ●Weekend getaways at first-class hotels

  ●Season tickets to the Chicago Bears football game

  ●$ 50 gift tickets to local gift shops, restaurants, and salons

  ●Theater tickets to The Merchant of Venice

  Don’t miss the boat! Book your tickets today.

  Last year, tickets sold out in five days!

  Tickets are sold on a first-come, first-served basis.

  $ 15.00 per person

All the money from the auction will be given to the Haynes School computer lab.

69. Which of the following is not mentioned as being up for bid at the auction?

  A. A movie pass to the local cinema.

  B. A weekend stay at a hotel.

  C. A ticket to a restaurant.

  D. Airline tickets.

70. The more items that are given or bought for auction, _______.

  A. the less money that will be charged for the tickets to the auction

  B. the more money that can be raised to support the computer lab

  C. the faster the ticket will be sold to the auction

  D. the higher the value that will be placed on the items in the silent auction

71. The phrase “first-come, first-served” tells you that _______.

  A. people can buy the tickets on the first day only

  B. the person who is first to arrive will receive a ticket at no charge

  C. food and drinks will be served at the auction

  D. tickets are sold in the order of who arrives first to buy them

       Are you looking for some new and exciting places to take your kids (孩子) to? Try some of these places:

       Visit art museums. They offer a variety of activities to excite your kids' interest. Many offer workshops for making land-made pieces, traveling exhibits, book signings by children's favorite writer, and even musical performances and other arts.

       Head to a natural history museum. This is where kids can discover the past from dinosaur(恐龙) models to rock collections and pictures of stars in the sky. Also, ask what kind of workshops and educational programs are prepared for kids and any special events that are coming up.

       Go to a Youtheater. Look for one in your area offering plays for child and family visitors. Pre-show play shops are conducted by area artists and educators where kids can discover the secret about performing arts ----- Puppet(木偶)making and stage make-up are just a couple of the special offerings you might find.

       Try hands-on science. Visit one of the many hands-on science museums around the country. These science play-lands are great fun for kids and grown-ups alike. They'll keep your child mentally and physically active the whole day through while pushing buttons, experimenting, and building. When everyone is tired, enjoy a fun family science show, commonly found in these museums.

65. If a child is interested in the universe, he probably will visit ________.
A. a Youtheater
B. an art museum
C. a natural history museum
D. a hands-on science museum

66. What can kids do at a Youtheater?
A. Look at rock collections.
B. See dinosaur models.
C. Watch puppet making.
D. Give performances.

67. What does "hands-on science" mean in the last paragraph?
A. Science games designed by kids.
B. Learning science by doing things.
C. A show of kids' science work.
D. Reading science books.

68. Where does this text probably come from?
A. A science textbook.
B. A tourist map.
C. A museum guide.
D. A news report.

The part of the environmental movement that draws my firm’s attention is the design of cities, buildings and products. When we designed America’s first so-called “green” office building in New York two decades ago, we felt very alone. But today, thousands of people come to green building conferences, and the __50__ that buildings can be good for people and the environment will be increasingly influential in years to __51__.

Back in 1984 we discovered that most manufactured products for decoration weren’t designed for __52__ use. The “energy-efficient” sealed commercial buildings constructed after the 1970s energy crisis __53__ indoor air quality problems caused by materials down to the molecules, looking for ways to make them __54__ for people and the planet.

Home builders can now use materials---such as paints that release significantly reduced amounts of organic compounds---that don’t __55__ the quality of the air, water, or soil. Ultimately, however, our basic design strategy is focused not simply on being “less bad” but on creating __56__ healthful materials that can be either safely returned to the soil __57__ reused by industry again and again. As a matter of __58__, the world’s largest carpet manufacturer has already __59__ a carpet that is fully and safely recyclable .

Look at it this way: No one starts out to create a building that destroys the planet. But our current industrial systems are __60__ causing these conditions, whether we like it or not. So __61__ of simply trying to reduce the damage, we are __62__ a positive approach. We’re giving people high-quality, healthful products and an opportunity to make choices that have a __63__ effect on the world. It’s not just the building industry, either. Entire cities are taking these __64__ positive approaches to design, planning and building. Portland, Seattle and Boston have said they want to be green cities. Chicago wants to be the greenest city in the world.

50.  A) practice                B) outlook              C) idea            D) scheme

51.  A) go               B) come             C) arrive           D) continue

52.  A) indoor            B) inward            C) relevant         D) continue

53.  A) displayed          B) discovered          C) exhibited        D) revealed

54.  A) comfortable       B) cautious            C) safe           D) stable

55.  A) deny              B) disclose           C) dissolve         D) destroy

56.  A) partially            B) exactly             C) completely      D) superficially

57.  A) or                B) and              C) but            D) nor

58.  A) interest            B) fact              C) principle        D) course

59.  A) sketched          B) constructed        C) researched     D) developed

60.  A) basically           B) originally           C) traditionally     D) inevitably

61.  A) because           B) out                C) instead         D) regardless

62.  A) adjusting          B) admitting           C) adopting      D) adapting

63.  A) functional         B) beneficial           C) precious      D) sensible

64.   A) environmentally     B) economically            C) generally           D) practically

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