2016年商務英語考試BEC中級模擬練習題5

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單項選擇題
    1、根據(jù)下面資料,回答題 
    Buffet Zone 
    Lucy Robertson starteD working at A.take-away fooD business to supplement her income during her student days at Edinburgh University.Several years later she haD bought the business anD now, 17 years on, she owns Grapevine Caterers, probably Scotland's leading independent caterers, with A.turnover of almost ε6m. 
    She haD never planneD to own A.business, anD haD certainly never considereD A.career in catering.(0)...G  However, her unplanneD career began in 1985, when she returneD to Edinburgh anD discovereD that the takeaway she haD workeD in was up for sale.On impulse, she bought it, but admits that at the time she knew nothing about catering.(8).....It was A.difficult time, but essential in terms of gaining the experience she needed.The late 1980s boom was gooD for business, with large numbers of office workers wanting takeaway fooD for their lunches.(9)..... "At one point there were 26 fooD outlets within A.5-kilometre radius," Robertson recalls, as the economy changeD anD the once packeD office blocks starteD to become vacant, it became clear that Robertson woulD neeD to diversify.(10)......It changeD the direction of the company for good. 
    As Robertson began to win catering contracts, she decideD that the company woulD have to move to larger premises.In 1994, the move was made when she bought another catering business that already haD A.number of profitable contracts for boardroom lunches.
    Meanwhile, Robertson's main competitor, the oldest catering company in Edinburgh, was causing her some anxiety."Customer loyally is not to be underestimated," she warns.But Robertson is not someone who is easily put off.(11)......Partly as A.result of this, turnover doubled, anD having outgrown another site, Robertson bought A.city-centre location for the group's headquarters. 
    By now, Grapevine's main competitor was A.new catering company calleD Towngates.Although Robertson trieD to raise enough money to buy Towngates, she diD not succeed.Then luck interveneD anD Towngates went bankrupt.(12)......Many accepteD anD the company's turnover went from ε700,000 to ε1.5 million almost overnight. 
    However, the company's growth was not as smooth as it sounds in retrospect.Robertson admits, "We were close to the edge during the growth period.Like many under-capitalizeD companies trying to grow, it might easily have collapsed."  But that, she feels, is the challenge of developing your own business. 
    A.But there are plenty of similar contracts to be won in the east of ScotlanD before   Robertson turns her attention elsewhere. 
    B.Her way rounD this particular problem was to recruit the catering manager of the rival company. 
    C.But this demanD was short-lived, anD before long, increasing competition made it harder to make A.profit. 
    D "It was A.dramatiC.learning curve anD very small amounts of money were earneD at first," says Robertson. 
    E.She decideD that the solution, since many companies requireD working lunches for   meetings with clients, was to prepare anD deliver meals to business premises. 
    F.On hearing this, Robertson immediately contacteD all of their clients anD offereD the   services of Grapevine Caterers. 
    G.Instead, she studieD accountancy after leaving university, anD A.steady if unspectacular professional path seemeD set. 
    (8)應選 
    2、根據(jù)下面資料,回答題 
    A.James King: Chief Executive of Fentons Finance 
    King was nominateD for the quality of his leadership, with the judges claiming that the Fentons Finance boss is almost revereD by his team.He is crediteD with reinventing Fentons Finance - revitalizing its culture of inflexibility, removing outdateD pre-merger barriers anD playing A.brilliant tactical game.He leD everyone to believe he was opposeD to large mergers anD then jumpeD on the Westcombe Bank opportunity at just the right moment.History will be the judge, but for now the markets consider King to be A.star. 
    B.Keith Nash: Chief Executive of Hamley's Supermarkets 
    Nash took over as CEO when Hamley's systems anD distribution were out of date anD the branD badly needeD freshening up.He began refocusing the branD at the higher quality enD of the fooD market anD launcheD several own-branD initiatives for the health conscious.As A.result, the share price has gone up nearly 80 per cent.This shoulD be extremely satisfying for Nash, who haD left the retailer in 1986, disappointeD after failing to secure the top job. 
    C.Jorge Marquez: Chairman of the Kenwick Group 
    Marquez was A.popular choice for his achievements at Kenwick.The judges say he has been courageous in pushing through the appointment of controversial or inexperienceD chief executives to companies within the group, anD then sponsoring them as they transformeD their businesses.He operates as A."virtual" chairman, without A.permanent office in any one company.He phones his CEOs regularly, anD several of them have acknowledgeD the vital contribution he makes to their effectiveness.Everyone is impresseD at how he also finds the time to be chairman of two other large companies. 
    D.RicharD Jenkins: Finance Director of Centron Advertising 
    Labouring in the shadow of A.high-profile boss can sometimes draw attention away from the finance director, anD the judges considereD it was high time Jenkins got that attention.The CEO may be the publiC.face of Centron, but Jenkins is the one who makes it run smoothly.BehinD the scenes, he is constantly demonstrating that budgets anD forecasts are what is needeD to make A.company successful, particularly now that the advertising market has been hit by recession, it is largely thanks to him that Centron is in much better shape than its rivals. 
    This businessman has successfully targeteD A.different group of consumers. 
    3、根據(jù)下面資料,回答題 
    Morning,NoonandNight                                    The long-hours culture at work 
    Working an eight-hour day is a luxury for most professional people. Nowadays, the only way to guarantee an eight-hour working day is to have a kind of job where you clock on and off. Those professionals who have managed to limit their hours to what was, 20 years ago, averagely do not wish to identify themselves. "1 can quite easily achieve my work within a normal day, but I don't like to draw attention to it," says one sales manager. "People looked at me when I left at 5 o'clock. Now, I put paperwork in my bag. People assume I'm doing extra hours at home." 
    But more typical is Mark, who works as an account manager. He says, "My contract says I work from 9 until 5 with extra hours as necessary. It sounds as if the extra hours are exceptional. In fact, my job would be enough not only for me, but also for someone else part- time. The idea of an eight-hour day makes me laugh!" He says he has thought about going freelance but realizes that this doesn't guarantee better working hours. 
    Professor Cary Cooper, occupational psychologist at the University of Manchester, is the author of the annual Quality of Working, Life survey. The most recent survey found that 77% of managers in Britain work more than their contracted hours, and that this is having a damaging effect for their health, relationships and productivity. Professor Cooper is critical of the long-hour culture. He says that while bosses believe long hours lead to greater efficiency, there is no evidence support this. "In fact, the evidence shows that long hours make you ill." There are, he says, steps that can be taken. One is to accept that the in-tray will never be empty. "There are always things to do. You just have to make the rule that on certain days you go home early. Prioritizing work and doing essential tasks first helps," he says. He also thinks it's time to criticize bad employers and unreasonable terms of employment. By all means, show commitment where necessary but when expectations are too high, people have to begin saying openly that they have a life outside of work. 
    Personal development coach Mo Shapiro agrees that communication is important. Staff needs to talk to managers about the working practices within a company. Both parties should feel that the expectations are realistic and allow them to have responsibilities and interests outside work. She recognizes, however, that in many organizations the response might well be, "If you want interests outside work, then find another job". 
    She believes that senior staff has a duty to set an example. "1 recently worked for a firm of solicitors where the partners started at 7:30 am. What kind of message is that to send to the staff?" She believes there is no shame in working sensible hours - in fact quite the reverse."Some people might be in at 7:30 but will be doing very little. You can work really hard from9 to 5 and achieve the same. If you find it difficult to achieve an eight-hour day, there is, as a last resort, the old trick of leaving your jacket on your chair and your computer switched on, even after you have left the building. 
    What does the writer say in the first paragraph about people who work an eight-hour day? 
    A. They are reluctant to admit to this.
    B. They are disliked by their colleagues.
    C. They are limited to certain professions.
    D. They often catch up on work in the evenings. 
    4、根據(jù)下面資料,回答題 
    Setting up an Appraisal Scheme 
    Appraisals can be a wonderful opportunity for your staff to focus on their jobs and make plans to develop their unused potential. (0)....G...So, if you have decided that an appraisal scheme should be set up in your company, you need to establish some formal procedures and make some decisions before you begin. Even if your company already has a scheme, you need to consider what you want to achieve and how you are going to do this. 
    First of all, you need to decide on your key objectives and the real purpose of your scheme.(8)  A scheme should never be introduced at a time of redundancies, or simply for profit or competitive edge, because this will create fear and alienate staff. The next step is to decide how the scheme can most successfully be managed, It is essential that all senior staff are committed to the process and willing to make a positive contribution. 
    The person given responsibility for designing the scheme and the appraisal forms needs to have knowledge of all roles within the organization. He or she must also be aware of 
    employees' potential needs.(9)  He or she should be someone who is trusted and whom staff will turn to if they are concerned about their appointed appraiser or the appraisal interview. The design of the scheme should indicate who will be appraising whom. This needs great tact and sensitivity. First, remember that no manager can effectively appraise more than seven or eight people. It is equally important to remember that, if significant numbers of staff are appraised by someone they dislike, or by a person whose values they do not share, the success of your scheme may be threatened. (10)  So bear this in mind from the beginning and, if necessary, establish an appeals procedure. 
    Having decided on your policy and who will appraise which members of staff, you need to communicate this in the simplest possible way. Avoid lengthy documents - few people will read them. (11)  Most organizations choose a person's line manager to be the appraiser. This can be seen as an opportunity or a threat, so be ready to consider alternatives if necessary. 
    Once you have established the appraisal process, make sure that appraisal interviews take place at a convenient time, and ideally on neutral ground. It should be borne in mind that some appraisals may involve the disclosure of confidential information. (12)  These will show the decisions that were taken during the interview and will also indicate any new performance targets that have been agreed. 
    A.It is important to select a manager who can deal effectively with any suspicions staff may have about appraisals. 
    B.Such a measure can also reduce insecurity and unite staff in recognizing the positive elements of appraisal. 
    C.Having even one staff member in such a position may affect how others respond to the process. 
    D.Ideally, this should be to provide a supportive framework that aids staff development. 
    E.Simply make sure that staff know who will appraise them and why, and what form the interview will take. 
    F.It is therefore important to decide who will have access to written records of the appraisal. 
    G.They can also be a means of getting the pest out ot start, both as individuals, and as team members. 
    (8)應選 
    5、根據(jù)下面內(nèi)容,回答題 
    Buffet Zone 
    Lucy Robertson started working at a take-away food business to supplement her income during her student days at Edinburgh University. Several years later she had bought the business and now, 17 years on, she owns Grapevine Caterers, probably Scotland's leading independent caterers, with a turnover of almost ε6m. 
    She had never planned to own a business, and had certainly never considered a career in catering. (0)...G…  However, her unplanned career began in 1985, when she returned to Edinburgh and discovered that the takeaway she had worked in was up for sale. On impulse, she bought it, but admits that at the time she knew nothing about catering. (8).....It was a difficult time, but essential in terms of gaining the experience she needed. The late 1980s boom was good for business, with large numbers of office workers wanting takeaway food for their lunches. (9).....  "At one point there were 26 food outlets within a 5-kilometre radius," Robertson recalls, as the economy changed and the once packed office blocks started to become vacant, it became clear that Robertson would need to diversify. (10)......It changed the direction of the company for good. 
    As Robertson began to win catering contracts, she decided that the company would have to move to larger premises. In 1994, the move was made when she bought another catering business that already had a number of profitable contracts for boardroom lunches. 
    Meanwhile, Robertson's main competitor, the oldest catering company in Edinburgh, was causing her some anxiety. "Customer loyally is not to be underestimated," she warns. But Robertson is not someone who is easily put off. (11)...... Partly as a result of this, turnover doubled, and having outgrown another site, Robertson bought a city-centre location for the group's headquarters. 
    By now, Grapevine's main competitor was a new catering company called Towngates. Although Robertson tried to raise enough money to buy Towngates, she did not succeed. Then luck intervened and Towngates went bankrupt. (12)......Many accepted and the company's turnover went from ε700,000 to ε1.5 million almost overnight. 
    However, the company's growth was not as smooth as it sounds in retrospect. Robertson admits, "We were close to the edge during the growth period. Like many under-capitalized companies trying to grow, it might easily have collapsed."  But that, she feels, is the challenge of developing your own business. 
    A.But there are plenty of similar contracts to be won in the east of Scotland before   Robertson turns her attention elsewhere. 
    B.Her way round this particular problem was to recruit the catering manager of the rival company. 
    C.But this demand was short-lived, and before long, increasing competition made it harder to make a profit. 
    D."It was a dramatic learning curve and very small amounts of money were earned at first," says Robertson. 
    E.She decided that the solution, since many companies required working lunches for   meetings with clients, was to prepare and deliver meals to business premises. 
    F.On hearing this, Robertson immediately contacted all of their clients and offered the   services of Grapevine Caterers. 
    G.Instead, she studied accountancy after leaving university, and a steady if unspectacular professional path seemed set. 
    (8)應選
    填空題
    6、根據(jù)下面資料,回答題 
    Market Research 
    0 Market research involves in collecting anD sorting facts anD opinions from specifiC.groups 
    00 0f people.The purpose of research can vary from discovering the popularity of A.political 
    34 party to assessing whether is A.product needs changing or replacing.Most work in
    35 consumer research involves interviewers employeD by market research agencies,but 
    36 certain industrial anD social research is carrieD out by any specialist agencies.Interviews 
    37 may be with individuals or groups anD can last anything as from A.few minutes to an hour 
    38 0r more.In some interviews,people may be askeD to examine or try out products before 
    39 giving up their opinion.Successful interviewers tenD to like meeting people anD should 
    40 not only be shy of addressing strangers.Interviewers are usually expecleD to work
    41 unsupervised,organizing their own workloaD Self-discipline is absolutely essential,and 
    42 as are motivation anD enemy.There are no specifiC.a(chǎn)ge limits for such A.work,though 
    43 many agencies prefer to employ older applicants with experience of meeting people。
    44 Market research agencies which frequently organize training,where trainees learn how 
    45 to recognize socio-economiC.groups anD practice approaching to the public。 
    34__________ 
    7、
    Questions 8-12
    ·Read this proposal about the CPT Word Processor.
    ·Choose the best sentence from the list A-I to fill each of the blanks.
    ·For each blank (8-12) mark one letter (A-I) on your Answer Sheet.
    ·De not mark any letter twice.
    ·One answer has been given as an example.
    15 June 1993
    Ms. Martha Weston
    Word Processing Supervisor
    ABC Company
    Post Office Box 1072
    28 King’s Street London
    Dear Ms. Weston,
    Performance of the CPT Equipment
    I’m Pleased to tell you about our experience with the CPT Word Processor as you requested recently____example____ I assume you have looked at several machines and have narrowed down your choices.
    Here are my observations.
    An approach to adopting word processors
    Eighteen months ago we adopted CPT equipment on limited scale with the idea in mind that we could gradually get rid of electric typewriters as we became familiar with the word processor. ____8____ The stations are actually in pairs so each pair can share a common printer ____9____
    We use the equipment as dedicated word processors, although we do have the ability to link up with our computer installation.
    The step-at-a-time development of our word-processing center has, we think, saved us money and training time. ____10____
    Performance
    In terms of performance, the CPT equipment is excellent. ____11____ Moreover our service contract and warranty have covered all maintenance costs.
    We have software packages that check spelling and signal when a mistake occurs. ____12____ Using both printers, we recently prepared 1200 individually typed form letter mailings a under four hours. We have no complaint about our preparation of executive reports.
    Example: I
    A. So it works very well and has so many different functions.
    B. Also it has reduced the confusion that exists about buying software packages.
    C. The train stops at each station for only fifteen minutes.
    D. We began with two work stations and now have four.
    E. Our routine letters are prepared from disc-stored masters.
    F. The Rotary W printer with a speed of 45 characters a second can easily handle two input stations.
    G. In contrast, its size and weight are ideal for carrying.
    H. We have not yet experienced mechanical problems so far.
    I. We are pleased with its performance and multi-functions.
    8、
    Questions 8-12
    · Read this letter to the editor of The Economist.
    · Choose the best sentence from the list A-I to fill each of the blanks.
    · For each bland (8-12) mark one letter (A-I) on your Answer Sheet.
    · Do not mar4 any letter twice.
    · One answer has been given as an example.
    Sir,
    You state on February 13 th that New Mexico has “few natural resources”, ____ example____ In 1991 New Mexico ranked fourth in the United States in production of natural gas, seventh in oil and tenth in non-fuel minerals ____8____ Non-fuel minerals contributed about $ 1 billion and coal $ 509 million.
    Taxes from production of fuels and minerals, and lease payments on state lands have been set aside by legislative acts to endow two permanent funds worth about $ 5.65 billion, ____9____ In addition, during fiscal year 1991 , payments to New Mexico from taxes on federal lands were S 108 million, all earmarked for public education.
    ____10____ About $566 million came from taxes and permanent-fund earnings attributable to oil and gas production. ____11____ Tourism is an important industry in Mew Mexico, yet its economic impact on the public sector is dwarfed by that of mineral production.
    New Mexico came through the recent recession in much better shape than most other states. It does not have a deficit. ____12____ States that rely primarily on a sales tax or on an income tax have big problems during economic downturns. Income growth per head in New Mexico averaged 6.1/00 in the year to October 1992-one if the fastest growth rates in the United States.
    Charles Chapin
    Example: C
    A. That it has a broadly based tax structure is an important point.
    B. In 1992 it produced more oil than Colorado and Kansas combined.
    C. However, the extractive mineral industry in New Mexico is one of the state’s strongest economic forces.
    D. During fiscal year 1992 New Mexico raised permanent funds worth about $6.1 billion.
    E. The combined value of oil and gas production was $ 2.8 billion.
    F. Some 16,000 employees work in the extractive industries and their wages are among the highest of any major industry.
    G. The $39 million earned by these funds in 1991 was used to finance education and other public services.
    H. Only S 25 million came from agricultural taxes.
    I. New Mexico’s extractive mineral industries contribute about a third of the state’s $ 1.9 billion general-fund income in fiscal year 1991.
    9、
    PART FOUR
    Questions 21-35
    •Read the text below about job prospects at the Provincial Bank.
    •Choose the correct word A, B, C, or, D on the opposite page to fill each gap.
    •For each question 21-35, mark one letter (A, B, C, or D) on your Answer Sheet.
    Employment Opportunities for Graduates with the Provincial BankThe Provincial Bank is one of the biggest (example) ____________ institutions in the U.K. With its 1,900 branches and 58,000 employees, it has (21) ____________ a household name. Almost 4,000 of these employees (22) ____________ managerial or executive positions. The bank has an outstanding (23) ____________ of profitability, which has been achieved by introducing innovations at the same time as maintaining leadership of the (24) ____________. The bank's comprehensive training programme concentrates on (25) ____________ the most important skills that graduates need in order to (26) ____________ early management responsibility. Trainees take responsibility for their own continuous self-development through visiting other branches and departments, and by (27)____________ courses in management skills. They also receive training in order to increase their knowledge of the bank's (28) ___________. The bank supports (29)____________ of staff who wish to take professional examinations, and its Graduate Training Scheme is (30)_____________ to the nationally recognized Diploma in Management.Obviously the quality of its mangers is of (31)____________ importance to the bank's performance. It welcomes good graduates in any subject area, (32)____________ they can demonstrate the ability to influence events, and have the potential to (33)____________ both as leaders and as part of a team. Most graduate trainees join the Retail Banking division initially. Those starting on this programme will soon have the (34)____________ to work in other parts of the bank and can (35)____________ a varied and flexible working life.
    Example: A budgetary B fiscal C financial D economic
    21 A opened B entered C turned D become 
    22 A hold B do C keep D own
    23 A career B catalogue C record D experience 
    24 A area B trade C record D market
    25 A making B reaching C developing D heightening
    26 A present B treat C deal D handle 
    27 A observing B attending C involving D staying 
    28 A services B goods C creations D abilities 
    29 A colleague B members C people D persons 
    30 A qualified B combined C fastened D linked
    31 A main B vital C necessary D superior 
    32 A therefore B thus C provided D only 
    33 A succeed B realize C gain D overcome 
    34 A choice B chance C likelihood D probability
    35 A forecast B believe C suppose D expect
    簡答題
    10、• Read the article below about airport hotels .
    • In most of the lines 34-45 there is one extra word . It is either grammatically incorrect or 
    doesn’t fit in the meaning of the text . Some lines, however, are correct .
    • If a line is correct , write CORRECT on your Answer Sheet .
    • If there is a extra word in the line , write the extra word in CAPITAL LETTER on your Answer Sheet.
    • The exercises begins with two examples , (0) and (00) .
    Examples
    

0
    

C
    

O
    

R
    

R
    

E
    

C
    

T
    

 
    

 
    

00
    

O
    

F
    

 
    

 
    

 
    

 
    

 
    

 
    

 
    


    

CHECKING  IN  TO  A  WORKING  BASE
    


    0         Smart business travelers today are staying at the airport to do business. Rather than
    00  waste of time in traffic as they try to reach city center venues ,  business people
    34  are using conference facilities on the offer at airports .  Busy executives are also
    35  staying there overnight to avoid the difficulty of getting there for take an early morning
    

36  meeting . And it makes senses for our international meetings to be held at airports . It is
    

37  principally through the improvement  in  airport  hotels  that  has  enabled  this
    

38  development to take place .  Today these mini-conference centers provide services are
    

39  designed for business travelers , look like a quick check-in and round-the-clock restaurants,
    

40  so they can get to work as quickly as possible  .  They are also less expensive place
    

41  than their city center counterparts.  Not  long  years  ago,  airports  hotels  were
    

42  uncomfortable ,  unattractive and inconvenient for as far as the business traveler was
    

43  concerned .  Yet now that there is strong interest ,  as travelers become aware of the
    

44  new facilities . Demand for small meeting rooms is huge , usually for interview or one-
    

45  to-one meetings , where executives fly in and out of the same day.  The age of the
    

  airport is upon us .