GMAT考試閱讀試題(二)(7)

字號(hào):


    Passage 13
    The majority of successful senior managers do notclosely follow the classical rational model of first clari-fying goals, assessing the problem, formulating options,estimating likelihoods of success, making a decision,(5) and only then taking action to implement the decision.Rather, in their day-by-day tactical maneuvers, thesesenior executives rely on what is vaguely termed “intu-ition” to mangage a network of interrelated problemsthat require them to deal with ambiguity, inconsistency,(10) novelty, and surprise; and to integrate action into theprocess to thinking.
    Generations of writers on management have recog-nized that some practicing managers rely heavily onintuition. In general, however, such writers display a(15)poor grasp of what intuition is. Some see it as the oppo-site of rationality: others view it as an excuse for ca-priciousness.
    Isenberg‘s recent research on the cognitive processesof senior managers reveals that managers’ intuition is(20) neither of these. Rather, senior managers use intuitionin at least five distinct ways. First, they intuitively sensewhen a problem exists. Second, managers rely on intu-ition to perform well-learned behavior patterns rapidly.This intuition is not arbitrary or irrational, but is based(25)on years of painstaking practice and hands-on experi-ence that build skills. A third function of intuition is tosynthesize isolated bits of data and practice into an inte-grated picture, often in an “Aha!” experience. Fourth,
    Given the great uncertainty of many of the manage-(50) ment issues that they face, senior managers often insti-gate a course of action simply to learn more about anissue. They then use the results of the action to developa more complete understanding of the issue. One impli-cation of thinking/acting cycles is that action is often(55) part of defining the problem, not just of implementingthe solution.
    1. According to the passage, senior managers useintuition in all of the following ways EXCEPT to
    (A) speed up of the creation of a solution to a problem
    (B) identify a problem
    (C) bring together disparate facts
    (D) stipulate clear goals
    (E) evaluate possible solutions to a problem
    2. The passage suggests which of the following about the “writers on management” mentioned in line 12?
    (A) They have criticized managers for not following the classical rational model of decision analysis.
    (B) They have not based their analyses on a sufficiently large sample of actual managers.
    (C) They have relied in drawing their conclusions on what managers say rather than on what managers do.
    (D) They have misunderstood how managers use intuition in making business decisions.
    (E) They have not acknowledged the role of intuition in managerial practice.
    3. Which of the following best exemplifies “an ‘Aha!’ experience” (line 28) as it is presented in the passage?
    (A) A manager risks taking an action whose outcome is unpredictable to discover whether the action changes the problem at hand.
    (B) A manager performs well-learned and familiar behavior patterns in creative and uncharacteristic ways to solve a problem.
    (C) A manager suddenly connects seemingly unrelatedfacts and experiences to create a pattern relevant to the problem at hand.
    (D) A manager rapidly identifies the methodology used to compile data yielded by systematic analysis.
    (E) A manager swiftly decides which of several sets of tactics to implement in order to deal with the conti -ngencies suggested by a problem.
    4. According to the passage, the classical model ofdecision analysis includes all of the following EXCEPT
    (A) evaluation of a problem
    (B) creation of possible solutions to a problem
    (C) establishment of clear goals to be reached by the decision
    (D) action undertaken in order to discover more information about a problem
    (E) comparison of the probable effects of different solutions to a problem
    5. It can be inferred from the passage that which of thefollowing would most probably be one major differencein behavior between Manager X, who uses intuition toreach decisions, and Manager Y, who uses only formaldecision analysis?
    (A) Manager X analyzes first and then acts; Manager Y does not.
    (B) Manager X checks possible solutions to a problem by systematic analysis; Manager Y does not
    (C) Manager X takes action in order to arrive at the solution to a problem; Manager Y does not.
    (D) Manager Y draws on years of hands-on experiencein creating a solution to a problem; Manager Xdoes not.
    (E) Manger Y depends on day-to-day tactical maneuvering; manager X does not.
    6. It can be inferred from the passage that “thinking/actingcycles” (line 45 ) in managerial practice would belikely to result in which of the following?
    Ⅰ.A manager analyzes a network of problems and then acts on the basis of that analysis.
    Ⅱ. A manager gathers data by acting and observing the effects of action.
    Ⅲ. A manager takes action without being able to articulate reasons for that particular action.
    (A) Ⅰ only
    (B) Ⅱ only
    (C) Ⅰ and Ⅱ only
    (D) Ⅱ and Ⅲ only
    (E) Ⅰ,Ⅱ, and Ⅲ
    7. The passage provides support for which of the following statements?
    (A) Managers who rely on intuition are more successful than those who rely on formal decision analysis.
    (B) Managers cannot justify their intuitive decisions.
    (C) Managers‘ intuition works contrary to their rational and analytical skills
    (D) Logical analysis of a problem increases the number of possible solutions.
    (E) Intuition enables managers to employ their practical experience more efficiently.
    8. Which of the following best describes the organization of the first paragraph of the passage?
    (A) An assertion is made and a specific supporting example is given.
    (B) A conventional model is dismissed and an alternative introduced.
    (C) The results of recent research are introduced and summarized
    (D) Two opposing points of view are presented and evaluated.
    (E) A widely accepted definition is presented and qualified.