摘要:(C) Retirement is frightening. It is a new, uncertain journey - at a time when peace in life is treasured. Personal financial security is a powerful motivator to keep control of the business. The inability to “let go is even more difficult for those who founded their businesses at a time of unemployment or family poverty. For many who build successful enterprises, their business is their identity. It is said of one woman business owner, still in control in her 90s, that “work is her oxygen. Some entrepreneurs started their businesses at least in part to prove themselves to former bosses who had rejected or doubted them. We find that they cling to their creations more strongly than most. For these reasons and others, too many business founders refuse to retire. They insist that only they are capable of running the business. Jealousy or insecurities relating to declining power generate interpersonal conflicts that spoil succession planning or even the performance of potential successors. If an executive has not quite achieved what he had hoped, he often wants the opportunity to stay in the game. Rather than a graceful transition, the succession process can become a war. The parties to such a combat, however, should remember Winston Churchill’s warning to the House of Commons: “If we open a quarrel between the past and the present, we shall find that we have lost the future. Fortunately, many business owners manage to face succession planning - courageously, openly, and early. And because entrepreneurial succession is perhaps the most critical issue for family-business continuity, we’re keenly interested in the makeup and background of those who do. Our conclusion: It’s all a matter of outlook or attitude. Business owners who can plan succession and who can let go don’t come necessarily from larger or smaller businesses. They don’t come from businesses that are more or less fragile or that require more or less hands-on involvement. They don’t necessarily even have more or less qualified successors to whom they can turn over their creations. They just have a different outlook or attitude toward the subject. For them, the glass is half full, not half empty. 72. The underlined expression “let go means . A. to dismiss the successor B. to close the business C. to explore another field D. to pass the business to the successor 73. What makes some of the business owners willing to retire? A. Their family background. B. The scale of their business. C. Their attitude towards retirement. D. The ability of their successor. 74. According to the passage, people with the sound attitude to retirement think that . A. old people are certain to rest B. retirement means new opportunities and new life C. as business owners, they are most important to the business D. their business was bought as part of management 75. The author’s purpose of writing this passage is . A. to make clear the widespread beliefs held by those who cannot conclude succession planning B. to offer some practical tips to those who are not able to cope with fear of retirement C. to urge society and the individual to take retirement more seriously D. to illustrate the different attitudes toward retirement in different situations Section C Directions: Read the following text and choose the most suitable heading from A-F for each paragraph. There is one extra heading which you do not need. A. Contract signed to experiment with captions B. People’s attitude toward captions C. Captions - good news to deaf people D. Deaf people missing most of the fun E. Invention of a new machine dealing with signals F. Necessity of developing a new way of captioning 76. By the 1950s many American families owned television sets. During television’s first 20 years, deaf people missed most of the fun. They could not hear what was being said and had to guess. Deaf people who watched television liked sports and action shows, but they were disappointed with other programs. If there was a lot of dialogue, deaf viewers couldn’t follow the plot. Even the most skilled lip-readers could only catch part of the talking. This frustrated many deaf people. 77. In the late 1960s, a man started experimenting. Malcom Norwood thought that deaf people could enjoy television programs, too. He wanted to develop captions for the programs. Norwood worked for the federal government’s Media Services and Captioned Films Division at the Bureau of Education of the Handicapped. 78. Norwood surveyed many hearing Americans. He wanted to see how they felt about seeing captions on the television screen. Too many people were against the idea. Norwood realized he had to develop another way of captioning-one that would not bother hearing people. 79. In October of 1971, Norwood’s office signed a contract with WGBH-TV, a public television station in Boston. WGBH was hired to experiment with captions. They agreed to make a captioned television program for Norwood. That program was made. It was shown on television and at a special convention. The type of captions made by WGBH could be seen on any television. No special equipment was needed. These were called “open captions . 80. Later, a new machine was invented. This device was made to send signals on a special part of the television picture. The signals could be captions. If a family had another kind of machine in their home or in their TV set, then the captions would appear on their television screen. Without the machine, no captions would be seen. That special machine is called a decoder. It receives the signals transmitted from the television station. Captions that require a decoder are called “closed captions . Section D Directions: Read the passage carefully. Then answer the questions or complete the statements in fewest possible words. In the house where I grew up, it was our custom to leave the front door on the latch at night. I don’t know if that was a local term or if it is universal; “on the latch meant the door was closed but not locked. None of us carried keys; the last one in for the evening would close up, and that was it. Those days are over. In rural areas as well as in cities, doors do not stay unlocked, even for part of an evening. It is not uncommon, in most pleasant homes, to see on the windows small notices announcing that the building is closely monitored by this security force or that guard company. The lock is the new symbol of America. Indeed, a recent public-service advertisement by a large insurance company featured not charts showing how much at risk we are, but a picture of a child’s bicycle with the now-usual padlock attached to it. The ad pointed out that, yes, it is the insurance companies that pay for stolen goods, but who is going to pay for what the new atmosphere of distrust and fear is doing to our way of life? Who is going to make the payment for the transformation of America from the Land of the Free to the Land of the Lock? For some reason we are satisfied when we think we are well-protected; it does not occur to us to ask ourselves: Why has this happened? Why are we having to defend ourselves against our neighbors and fellow citizens, and when, exactly, did this start to take over our lives? With all this “security , we are perhaps the most insecure nation in the history of civilized man. What better word to describe the way in which we have been forced to live? What sadder reflection on all that we have become in this new and puzzling time? We trust no one. Suburban housewives wear rape whistles on their station wagon key chains. We have become so smart about self-protection that, in the end, we have all outsmarted ourselves. We may have locked the evils out, but we have also locked ourselves in. (Note: Answer the questions or complete the statements in NO MORE THAN TEN WORDS.) 81. In the author’s childhood, people were used to . 82. What can be commonly seen on the windows of most pleasant homes? 83. According to the author, what is the new environment of American life now? 84. In the author’s mind, they feel that they are seemingly , but actually . 第II卷

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Retirement Age

  Retirement is the point where a person stops employment completely.The " standard" retirement age varies from country to country, but it is generally between 50 and 70, according to the latest statistics, 2011.However, for a long time, people have got into an argument about whether the age of retirement should be increased or reduced in their own countries.

  There are several arguments for allowing older people to continue working as long as they are able.Many people think that older employees have a large amount of knowledge and experience which can be lost to a business or organization if they are made to retire.Besides, older employees are often extremely faithful employees and are more willing to implement company policies than the young.A more important point is regarding the attitudes in society to old people.To force someone to resign or retire at 60 or 65 indicates that the society does not value the input of these people and that effectively their useful life is over.

  Allowing old people to work indefinitely(无限地), however, is not always a good policy.Some people took the strong view that age alone is no guarantee of ability.Many young employees have more experience or skills than older staff, who may have been stuck in one area for most of their working lives.Having compulsory retirement allows new ideas in an organization.On the other hand, older people should be rewarded by society for their life' s labor by being given generous pensions and the freedom to enjoy leisure.They can have time to do whatever they like, that is, they can have their own plans or roles and achieve their retirement goals.

  With many young people unemployed or frustrated in low-level positions, there are often calls to compulsorily retire older workers.However, this can affect the older individual' s freedom-and right-to work.In my opinion, giving workers more choices over their retirement age will benefit society and the individual.

(1)

According to the passage, older people should go on with work because ________.

[  ]

A.

they will help the business not to fail quickly

B.

they have grasped much practical experience

C.

they need to have a sense of achievement

D.

they want to learn more knowledge

(2)

The underlined word "implement" in Paragraph 2 probably means "________".

[  ]

A.

take over

B.

work on

C.

get rid of

D.

carry out

(3)

The third paragraph is mainly to tell us that ________.

[  ]

A.

older people can't do their work well

B.

young people usually have new ideas

C.

it is better for older people to retire on time

D.

older people would like to do something else

(4)

Which of the following shows the structure of the passage?

[  ]

A.

B.

C.

D.

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阅读下列短文,从每题所给的四个选项(A、B、C和D)中选出最佳选项。

  Retirement Age

  Retirement is the point where a person stops employment completely.The " standard" retirement age varies from country to country, but it is generally between 50 and 70, according to the latest statistics, 2011.However, for a long time, people have got into an argument about whether the age of retirement should be increased or reduced in their own countries.

  There are several arguments for allowing older people to continue working as long as they are able.Many people think that older employees have a large amount of knowledge and experience which can be lost to a business or organization if they are made to retire.Besides, older employees are often extremely faithful employees and are more willing to implement company policies than the young.A more important point is regarding the attitudes in society to old people.To force someone to resign or retire at 60 or 65 indicates that the society does not value the input of these people and that effectively their useful life is over.

  Allowing old people to work indefinitely(无限地), however, is not always a good policy.Some people took the strong view that age alone is no guarantee of ability.Many young employees have more experience or skills than older staff, who may have been stuck in one area for most of their working lives.Having compulsory retirement allows new ideas in an organization.On the other hand, older people should be rewarded by society for their life' s labor by being given generous pensions and the freedom to enjoy leisure.They can have time to do whatever they like, that is, they can have their own plans or roles and achieve their retirement goals.

  With many young people unemployed or frustrated in low-level positions, there are often calls to compulsorily retire older workers.However, this can affect the older individual' s freedom-and right-to work.In my opinion, giving workers more choices over their retirement age will benefit society and the individual.

(1)

According to the passage, older people should go on with work because ________.

[  ]

A.

they will help the business not to fail quickly

B.

they have grasped much practical experience

C.

they need to have a sense of achievement

D.

they want to learn more knowledge

(2)

The underlined word "implement" in Paragraph 2 probably means "________".

[  ]

A.

take over

B.

work on

C.

get rid of

D.

carry out

(3)

The third paragraph is mainly to tell us that ________.

[  ]

A.

older people can' t do their work well

B.

young people usually have new ideas

C.

it is better for older people to retire on time

D.

older people would like to do something else

(4)

Which of the following shows the structure of the passage?

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Americans are proud of their variety and individuality, yet they love and respect few things more than a uniform, whether it is the uniform of an elevator operator or the uniform of a five-star general.Why are uniforms so popular in the United States?

Among the arguments for uniforms, one of the first is that in the eyes of most people they look more professional than civilian(百姓的)clothes.People have become conditioned to expect superior quality from a man who wears a uniform.The television repairman who wears uniform tends to inspire more trust than one who appears in civilian clothes.Faith in the skill of a garage mechanic is increased by a uniform.What easier way is there for a nurse, a policeman, a barber, or a waiter to lose professional identity(身份)than to step out of uniform?

  Uniforms also have many practical benefits.They save on other clothes.They save on laundry bills.They are tax-deductible(可减税的).They are often more comfortable and more durable than civilian clothes.

  Primary among the arguments against uniforms is their lack of variety and the consequent loss of individuality experienced by people who must wear them.Though there are many types of uniforms, the wearer of any particular type is generally stuck with it, without change, until retirement.When people look alike, they tend to think, speak, and act similarly, on the job at least.

  Uniforms also give rise to some practical problems.Though they are long-lasting, often their initial expense is greater than the cost of civilian clothes.Some uniforms are also expensive to maintain, requiring professional dry cleaning rather than the home laundering possible with many types of civilian clothes.

It is surprising that Americans who worship variety and individuality _______.

     A.still judge a man by his clothes

     B.hold the uniform in such high regard

     C.enjoy having a professional identity

     D.will respect an elevator operator as much as a general in uniform

People are accustomed to think that a man in uniform _______.

     A.suggests quality work

     B.discards his social identity

     C.appears to be more practical

     D.looks superior to a person in civilian clothes

The chief function of a uniform is to _______.

     A.provide practical benefits to the wearer

     B.make the wearer catch the public eye

       C.inspire the wearer’s confidence in himself

     D.provide the wearer with a professional identity

The best title for this passage would be _______.

     A.Uniforms and Society

     B.The Importance of Wearing a Uniform

     C.Practical Benefits of Wearing a Uniform

     D.Advantages and Disadvantages of Uniforms

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 The greatest recent social changes have been in the lives of women. During the twentieth century there has been a remarkable shortening of the time of a woman’s life spent in caring for children. A woman marrying at the end of the nineteenth century would probably have been in her middle twenties, and would be likely to have seven or eight children, of whom four or five lived till they were five years old. By the time the youngest was fifteen, the mother would have been in her early fifties and would expect to live a further twenty years, during which health made it unusual for her to get paid work. Today women marry younger and have fewer children. Usually a woman‘s youngest child will be fifteen when she is forty-five and can be expected to live another thirty-five years and is likely to take paid work until retirement(退休) at sixty. Even while she has the care of children, her work is lightened by modern living conditions.

  This important change in women’s life-pattern has only recently begun to have its full effect on women‘s economic position. Even a few years ago most girls left schools at the first chance, and most of them took a full-time job. However, when they married, they usually left work at once and never returned to it. Today the school-leaving age is sixteen, many girls stay at school after that age, and though women usually marry younger, more married women stay at least until shortly before their first child is born. Very many more afterwards return to full or part-time work. Such changes have led to a new relationship in marriage, with the husband accepting a greater share of the duties and satisfactions of family life, and with the both husband and wife sharing more equally in providing the money, and running the home, according to the abilities and interests of each of them.

 1.According to the passage, around the year 1900 most women married ________.

  A. at about twenty-five B. in their early fifties

  C as soon as possible after they were fifteen

  D. at any age from fifteen to forty-five

 2. We are told that in a common family about 1900 _________.

A.many children died before they were five

B.seven or eight children lived to be more than five

C.the youngest child would be fifteen

D.four or five children died when they were five

3.When she was over fifty, the late nineteenth-century mother _________.

A.would be healthy enough to take up paid jobs

B.was usually expected to die fairly soon

C.would expect to work until she died

D.was unlikely to find a job even if she wanted one

4.According to the passage, the women of today usually _________.

A.marry instead of getting paid work

B.marry before they are twenty-five

C.have more children under fifteen

D.have too few children

 

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 The greatest recent social changes have been in the lives of women. During the twentieth century there has been a remarkable shortening of the time of a woman’s life spent in caring for children. A woman marrying at the end of the nineteenth century would probably have been in her middle twenties, and would be likely to have seven or eight children, of whom four or five lived till they were five years old. By the time the youngest was fifteen, the mother would have been in her early fifties and would expect to live a further twenty years, during which health made it unusual for her to get paid work. Today women marry younger and have fewer children. Usually a woman‘s youngest child will be fifteen when she is forty-five and can be expected to live another thirty-five years and is likely to take paid work until retirement(退休) at sixty. Even while she has the care of children, her work is lightened by modern living conditions.
  This important change in women’s life-pattern has only recently begun to have its full effect on women‘s economic position. Even a few years ago most girls left schools at the first chance, and most of them took a full-time job. However, when they married, they usually left work at once and never returned to it. Today the school-leaving age is sixteen, many girls stay at school after that age, and though women usually marry younger, more married women stay at least until shortly before their first child is born. Very many more afterwards return to full or part-time work. Such changes have led to a new relationship in marriage, with the husband accepting a greater share of the duties and satisfactions of family life, and with the both husband and wife sharing more equally in providing the money, and running the home, according to the abilities and interests of each of them.
 【小题1】According to the passage, around the year 1900 most women married ________.
  A. at about twenty-five B. in their early fifties
  C as soon as possible after they were fifteen
  D. at any age from fifteen to forty-five
 【小题2】 We are told that in a common family about 1900 _________.

A.many children died before they were five
B.seven or eight children lived to be more than five
C.the youngest child would be fifteen
D.four or five children died when they were five
【小题3】When she was over fifty, the late nineteenth-century mother _________.
A.would be healthy enough to take up paid jobs
B.was usually expected to die fairly soon
C.would expect to work until she died
D.was unlikely to find a job even if she wanted one
【小题4】According to the passage, the women of today usually _________.
A.marry instead of getting paid workB.marry before they are twenty-five
C.have more children under fifteenD.have too few children

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