1、BEC商务英语（高级）阅读模拟试卷 117及答案与解析 一、 PART ONE 0 Look at the statements below and at the five extracts about different mergers from newspaper articles on the opposite page.Which extract(A, B, C, D or E)does each statement(1-8)refer to?For each statement(1-8), mark one letter(A, B, C, D or E)on your Answer
2、Sheet.You will need to use some qf these letters more than once.There is an example at the beginning(0).Example:0 A small store horizontally merges with another one, the effect on the market may be little. AYou probably need to reduce the number of people. Cost savings through combining redundant ta
3、sks is a common goal for mergers. The trick is to release the individuals least well equipped to contribute in the new organisation and to hold on to the best people. Make sure the evaluation of “best“ looks at both companies people equally. After all, you dont want to lose a great person from Compa
4、ny B so you can keep a mediocre person from Company A.BBut signing a deal to join forces is only the beginning. The crucial next step requires knowing how to merge fast and well. In the Internet economy, that means more than changing a logo or reconciling two chief executives egos to the fact that t
5、hey cant both be boss. A successful merger requires an unflinching commitment to what the new strategy will be, along with a focus on making sure that vital but fragile assets-customer lists, engineering-talent pools, and so on dont get trampled by the deal.CA horizontal merger is when two companies
6、 competing in the same market merge or join together. This type of merger can either have a very large effect or little to no effect on the market. When two extremely small companies combine, or horizontally merge, the results of the merger are less noticeable. These smaller horizontal mergers are v
7、ery common. If a small local drug store were to horizontally merge with another local drugstore, the effect of this merger on the drugstore market would be minimal. In a large horizontal merger, however, the resulting ripple effects can be felt throughout the market sector and sometimes throughout t
8、he whole economy.DImpact of mergers and acquisitions on top level management may actually involve a “clash of the egos“. There might be variations in the cultures of the two organisations. Under the new set-up the manager may be asked to implement such policies or strategies, which may not be quite
9、approved by him. When such a situation arises, the main focus of the organisation gets diverted and executives become busy either settling matters among themselves or moving on. If however, the manager is well equipped with a degree or has sufficient qualification, the migration to another company m
10、ay not be troublesome at all.EHow your company deals with merger issues such as communication, employee retention and/ or layoffs, customer notification and reassurance, consolidation of staff and integration of systems will play a huge role in determining the overall success or failure of the merge
11、r or acquisition. Dont wait until the deal is finalized to think about these issues. Assemble a team of stakeholders and experts to analyse the challenges and risks of integrating the two companies and have an action plan in place long before the official merger date. 1 It elaborates on what horizon
12、tal integration is and its effect on the market. 2 It stresses staff of both companies should the considered fairly in business mergers. 3 It talks about the factors that ensure business mergers are fruitful. 4 It implies large-scale mergers may have a chain reaction on the whole market. 5 It consid
13、ers that top level managers should adapt to the new company as soon as possible. 6 It suggests that enough preparations should be made before the merger. 7 It considers a well-qualified manager should react actively to the mergers to ensure smooth transfer. 8 It stresses on keeping the outstanding e
14、mployees and eliminating average ones in mergers. 二、 PART TWO 8 Read this text about effective banking supervision. Choose the best sentence from the opposite page to fill each of the gaps. For each gap(9-14), mark one letter(A-H)on your Answer Sheet. Do not use any letter more than once. There is a
15、n example at the beginning(0). Effective Banking Supervision Effective supervision of banking organisations is an essential component of a strong economic environment in that the banking system plays a central role in making payments and mobilising and distributing savings. The task of supervision i
16、s to ensure that banks operate in a safe and sound manner and that they hold capital and reserves sufficient to support the risks that arise in their business. Strong and effective banking supervision provides a public good that may not be fully provided in the marketplace and, along with effective
17、macro-economic policy, is critical to financial stability in any country.(0).G Banking supervision should foster an efficient and competitive banking system that is responsive to the publics need for good-quality financial services at a reasonable cost. Generally, it should be recognised that there
18、is a trade-off between the level of protection that supervision provides and the cost of financial intermediation.【 P1】 _ Supervision cannot, and should not, provide an assurance that banks will not fail. In a market economy, failures are a part of risk-taking. 【 P2】 _Such matters cannot therefore a
19、lways be entirely the responsibility of banking supervisors; however, supervisors should have in place adequate arrangements for resolving problem bank situations. 1. Providing sound and sustainable macro-economic policies are not within the competence of banking supervisors. Supervisors, however, w
20、ill need to react if they perceive that existing policies are undermining the safety and soundness of the banking system.【 P3】 _ Therefore, sound macro-economic policies must be the foundation of a stable financial system. 2. A well-developed public infrastructure needs to cover the following facili
21、ties, which, if not adequately provided, can significantly contribute to the destabilization of financial systems: A system of business laws including corporate, bankruptcy, contract, consumer protection and private property laws; Comprehensive and well-defined accounting principles and rules that c
22、ommand wide international acceptance; A system of independent audits for companies of significant size. 3. Effective market discipline depends on an adequate flow of information to market participants, appropriate financial incentives to reward well-managed institutions and arrangements that ensure
23、that investors are not insulated from the consequences of their decisions.【 P4】 _ 4. Sufficiently flexible powers are necessary in order to effect an efficient resolution of problems in banks.【 P5】 _Where they are not, the prompt and orderly exit of institutions that are no longer able to meet super
24、visory requirements is a necessary part of an efficient financial system. Forbearance, whether or not the result of political pressure, normally leads to worsening problems and higher resolution costs. 5. Deciding on the appropriate level of systemic protection is by and large a policy question to b
25、e taken by the relevant authorities, particularly where it may result in a commitment of public funds.【 P6】 _In order to preserve the operational independence of supervisors, it is important to draw a clear distinction between this systemic protection role and day-to-day supervision of solvent insti
26、tutions.Example: A In the absence of sound macro-economic policies, banking supervisors will be faced with a virtually impossible task.B The way in which failures are handled, and their costs borne, is in large part a political matter involving decisions on whether, and the extent to which, public f
27、unds should be committed to supporting the banking system.C Where problems are remediable, supervisors will normally seek to identify and implement solutions that fully address their concerns.D Supervisors will also normally have a role to play because of their in-depth knowledge of the institutions
28、 involved.E The lower the tolerance of risk to banks and the financial system, the more intrusive and costly supervision is likely to be, eventually having an adverse effect on innovation and resource allocation.F Off-site monitoring can often identify potential problems, particularly in the interva
29、l between on-site inspections.G While thecost of banking supervision is indeed high, the cost of poor supervision has proved to be even higher.H Among the issues to be addressed are corporate governance and ensuring that accurate, meaningful, transparent and timely information is provided by borrowe
30、rs to investors and creditors. 9 【 P1】 10 【 P2】 11 【 P3】 12 【 P4】 13 【 P5】 14 【 P6】 三、 PART THREE 14 Read the following article about the success of Starbucks and the questions on the opposite page. For each question(15-20), mark one letter(A, B. C or D)on your Answer Sheet. Starbucks Because of rap
31、id globalisation over recent years, the competition around the world becomes more intense, especially for the service industry with the similar products. The most critical point for business to succeed is not only the quality of products they supply, but also the atmosphere of cooperating and the am
32、ount from yield of teamwork in retail sales. The employees who always deal with customers and can realise what customers really need are first- line staff. Therefore, it turns to be essential for companies to motivate, reward and train their employees to be the best quality personnel. Starbucks bega
33、n by three friends, Jerry Baldwin, Zev Siegl, and Gordon Bowker, who knew each other in the University of Seattle. In 1971, the first name of their store is “Starbucks Coffee, Tea and Spice“ in Seattle, Washingtons Pike Place Market. Starbucks Corporation, the most famous chain of retail coffee shop
34、s in the world, mainly benefits from roasting, selling special coffee beans and various kinds of coffee or tea drinks. It owns about 4,000 branches in the whole world. Moreover, it has been one of the most rapidly growing corporations in America as well. The reasons why Starbucks is worldwide popula
35、r are not only the quality of coffee, but also its customer service and cozy environment. Starbucks established comfortable surroundings for people to socialise with a fair price, which attracts consumers of various ages to get into the stores. Besides, it is also noted for its satisfaction of emplo
36、yees. Starbucks is one of the optimal business models for cooperation and teamwork. Teamwork can not only construct a small social structure in organisation for employees to socialise, but also is a composite of various kinds of members who are equipped with different background of skill and knowled
37、ge on account of the mission. Each member plays an important role in the teamwork; therefore, everyone in that team can meet his need for getting acquainted with different colleagues and learn new skill from each other. Thus the definition of teamwork is a social system including more than three peo
38、ple in an organisation or context. These members identify others as one member of the: team and they have the same goal. The managers in Starbucks treat each workpeople equally and all of the staff are called part-ners, even the supervisors of each branch are so(ailed as well. In order to narrow the
39、 gap between managers and employees, they also co-work with the basic level staff in the front line. Due to this, they can maintain a good management system and create a much closer and more familiar atmosphere than other places, which makes not only employees enjoy their job but also customers affe
40、cted by their enthusiasm. Starbucks has a well-organised communication channel for employees. It places a great importance on labours. For example, managers plan the working hours per worker and arrange the schedule of time off, and meet their requirements according to their wants. There are intervi
41、ews every week to see what employees need is. A special survey called “Partner View Survey“ is taken off approximately every two years. The managers can receive feedbacks through the event on which part should be improved or what issue should be paid more attention to. The partners have the right to
42、 figure out what is the best policy for them, and the directors show a respect for each suggestion. Starbucks even wants every employee to join in making and developing plans, then achieving their goals all together. As a result, the policies and principles are communicated between all staff, and th
43、ere is no limitation in employees personal opinions. For this reason, business could improve, even innovate their strategies by different ideas. 15 The employees who can understand what customers really need are （ A） managers. （ B） important staff. （ C） supervisors. （ D） best quality personnel. 16 W
44、hich of the following is not true according to the second paragraph? （ A） Starbucks mainly benefits from roasting, selling coffee beans and coffee or tea drinks. （ B） Starbucks is worldwide popular due to the price of coffee. （ C） Starbucks is famous for its satisfaction of employees. （ D） Starbucks
45、 is worldwide popular due to comfortable surroundings. 17 According to the third paragraph, we can deduce Starbucks attach great importance to （ A） individual effort. （ B） individual ability. （ C） teamwork. （ D） serious atmosphere. 18 In order to narrow the gap between managers and employees, they a
46、lso co-work with the basic level staffs in the front line, which can maintain （ A） a good management system and create a more intimate and familiar atmosphere. （ B） a good management system and create a leisurely atmosphere. （ C） a loose management system and create a much closer and more familiar a
47、tmosphere. （ D） a loose management system and create a more relaxing atmosphere. 19 What is the purpose of “Partner View Survey“? （ A） Through “Partner View Survey“ managers can receive feedbacks to improve their work. （ B） Through “Partner View Survey“ managers can plan the working hours per worker
48、. （ C） Through “Partner View Survey“ managers can arrange the schedule of time off. （ D） Through “Partner View Survey“ managers can meet the requirements of employees. 20 Why could Starbucks improve its business according to the last paragraph? （ A） Because the partners can figure out their best pol
49、icies, and the directors respect their suggestions. （ B） Because Starbucks closes its ears to partners suggestions. （ C） Because Starbucks allows every employee to make and develop plans. （ D） Because Starbucks has a well-organised communication channel for employees. 四、 PART FOUR 20 Read the article below about the effect of the present economic recession in the United States on American women in contrast to men. Choose the correct word to fill each gap from A, B, C or D on the opposite page. For each question(21-30), mark one letter(A, B, C or D
