第一篇:bec中級歷年口試真題總結
1.1 Entertaining clients: Types of activities and cost Choosing retail premises to rent: location and length of contract Deciding on packaging for products: image and production process
Work experience programme What kinds of work experience the company might offer How the participants should be selected 1.2 Selecting staff for promotion: attitude to work and current performance Considering a career change: further study or training and opportunities for future promotion Planning an advertising campaign: market research and selecting appropriate media
English language training How to encourage employees to take part in the training What kind of schedule would be suitable for the training 1.3 Choosing transport for a business trip: convenience and cost-effectiveness Aiming for promotion: quality of performance and company loyalty
Exporting goods or services for the first time: personal contacts and professional advice
Teamwork
What practical arrangements the company needs to make before the trip Which work and leisure activities would be suitable for the group
1.4 Dealing with complaints from clients: offering and apology and suggesting a solution to the problems Setting prices for new products: production costs and competitors' prices Aiming to reduce staff turnover: financial incentives and career structure
Entertaining foreign clients What kinds of activities would be suitable for the visit What information it would be useful to know about the clients before finalising the programme
2.1 Trying to attract new staff: competitive wages and company reputation Preparing to go away on a business trip: information colleagues and clients and delegating essential tasks Planning corporate hospitality: guest list and type of event
Staff magazine What type of information to include in the magazine
Which type of staff should contribute to the magazine 2.2 Writing a newspaper advertisement for a job vacancy: description of the work and experience needed by applicants Delegating work to others: clear instructions and choice of person for the task Designing a company website: type of information to include and different language versions
Video conferencing
What the company needs to know about the meetings that take place at present What the advantages and disadvantages of video conferencing might be 2.3 Meeting foreign clients for the first time: foreign language skills and knowledge of cultural differences Deciding whether to buy or rent office equipment: cost and speed of technological change Aiming to increase staff productivity: offering bonuses and creating a pleasant environment
Seminars for students What kinds of information it would be useful to know about the students What the most useful topics would be 2.4 Aiming to keep good staff: promotion opportunities and salaries Organising a conference: conference speakers and facilities at conference center Producing a marketing plan: identifying targeting customers and setting a budget
Sales managers conference What information you will need to send to the sales managers before the conference What activities you could organise to help people to get to know each other better
3.1 Aiming to improve career prospects: Reading business articles and learning a foreign language Deciding how to transport goods: destination and speed Purchasing new machinery: level of automation and maintenance requirement
Promoting a new model Which features of a car might be important to the target group How an advertising campaign could present the car
3.2 Considering setting up a staff canteen : Employees' opinions and cost to the company Working as a teacher: sharing expertise and deciding responsibilities Negotiating a contract with a customer: customer needs and available budget
Trade delegation What the advantages and disadvantages of sending staff on the trip might be What kinds of information about doing business in the country the staff need to know before the trip
3.3 Planning a presentation: audience and equipment needed Selecting an interpreter for a meeting with foreign clients: experience and reliability Introducing a new product range onto the market: timing and advance publicity
Selling old stock Whether to offer the same discount on all products How customers could be informed of the discounts
3.4 Selecting a retail sales assistant: previous experience and appearance Contacting clients by telephone: calling at the right time and listening carefully Managing change: clear objectives and communication
Giving presentations Which types of staff would benefit most from this training How to decide whether training has been successful
第二篇:BEC中級口試話題總結
BEC中級口試話題總結 SBEC中級口試試題Part Ⅱ
1.What is important when planning a presentation? Finding out about the audience
researching the topic 2.What is important when aiming to improve customer service? Staff Training
Customer Satisfaction Surveys 3.What is important when managing a project? Encouraging Teamwork
Keeping to schedule 4.What is important when motivating staff? Financial benefits
Career development Opportunities 5.What is important when dealing with competition? Pricing policies
advertising strategies 6.What is important when planning health and safety training? Selecting topics
selecting staff to attend 7: What is important when choosing new office equipment? Prices and discounts
Brand names 8.What is important when entertaining foreign business clients? Venue for entertainment
Cultural Differences 9.What is important when aiming to reach new markets? Market research
Advertising 10.What is important when choosing a management training course to attend? Program Contents
Length of course 11.What is important when relocating a business? Local workforce available
Location of site 12.What is important when advertising a new product? Target markets
Choice of media 13.What is important when starting a new job? Knowledge of company procedures
Help from company staff 14.What is important when selecting staff for marketing trips abroad? Position in the company
previous experience of other countries 15.What is important when aiming to reduce production costs? Efficiency of production line
Cost of raw materials 15.What is important when choosing people to work in teams? Variety of experience
Personal qualities 16.What is important when dealing with a heavy workload? Time management
sharing tasks 17.What is important when developing new products? Market research
Pricing 18.What is important when being interviewed for a job? Information about the company
Personal appearance 19.What is important when exhibiting at a trade fair? Quality of display
Staff selected 20.What is important when introducing a reward system for staff? Purpose of the reward system
Types of reward offered 21.What is important when entertaining clients? Types of activities
Cost 22.What is important when choosing retail premises to rent? Location
Length of contract 23.What is important when deciding on packaging for products? Image
Production process 24.What is important when selecting staff for promotion? Attitude to work
Current performance 25.What is important when considering a career change? Future study or training
Opportunities for future promotion 26.What is important when planning an advertising campaign? Market research
selecting appropriate media 27.What is important when choosing transport for a business trip? Convenience
Cost-effectiveness 28.What is important when aiming for promotion? Quality of performance
Company loyalty 29.What is important when exporting goods or services for the first time? Personal Contacts
Professional advice 30.What is important when dealing with complaints from clients? Offering an apology
suggesting a solution to the problem 31.What is important when setting prices for new products? Production costs
Competitors’ prices
32.What is important when aiming to reduce staff turnover? Financial incentives
Career structure 33.What is important when planning the layout of a new store? Attractiveness
Security of goods 34.What is important when choosing a new sales agent? Experience of agent
Number of contacts 35 What is important when monitoring the quality of service provided? Feedback from customers
checking sales figures 36: What is important when…?
Selecting applicants for a job
work experience
personal qualities 37: What is important when…?
Choosing a new supplier
price and discounts
reputation 38: What is important when Aiming to improve production quality…? Up-to-date equipment staff training 39: what is important when…?
Preparing for a job interview studying the job advertisement finding out about the company 40: what is important when…?
Deciding whether to attend conference venue speakers 41: What is important when…?
Developing new products
market research
costs involved BEC中級口試試題 Part III 1.Program for New Staff
The manufacturing company you work for would like to introduce a full programme of training for new staff.You have been asked to help prepare the programme.Discuss the situation together, and decide:---what should be covered by the training programme---how else new staff can be helped to settle into their jobs as quickly as possible 2、Company Dress Code Your Managing Director is unhappy with the general standard of dress among staff.You have been asked to make recommendations about introducing a dress code or company uniform.Discuss the situation together, and decide:---what the advantages and disadvantages of having a company uniform would be---what kind of dress code would be appropriate for staff in different types of jobs Staff Training Your company has decided to use an outside agency for training sales staff.You have been asked to have preliminary discussions with the agency to organise this.4.Company Video
The manufacturing company you work for is planning to make a video to show to potential customers and investors.You have been asked to help with planning the video.---Discuss the situation together, and decide:---which departments and activities in the company should be included in the video---which company personnel should appear in the video 5.Business Magazine Article
An international business magazine is sending a journalist to write about your region, and wants to include an article about the retail company you work for.You have been asked by your company to help the journalist plan the article.Discuss the situation together, and decide:---what kinds of information should be included in the article---how this article could benefit your company 6.Opening a Branch Abroad The retail company you work for has decided to open a branch abroad for the first time.You have been asked to help with the planning of the new branch.Discuss the situation together, and decide:---what staffing arrangements might be necessary for the new branch---which information about premises in that country it would be useful to find out about
7.Entertaining Foreign Clients
Your company is entertaining a group of foreign clients for three days, including one
non-working day.You have been asked to plan a programme for the visit.Discuss the situation together, and decide:---what kinds of activities would be suitable for the visit---what information it would be useful to know about the clients before finalizing the
program
8.Work Experience Programme
The manufacturing company you work for has decided to offer a two-week work experience
programme for a small group of students from a local business college.You have been asked to help with the preparations for this programme.Discuss the situation together, and decide:---what kinds of work experience the company might offer---how the participants should be selected 9.English Language Training
Your company is planning to offer 30 hours of English language training to employees.You have been asked to help with the planning and organization of the training.Discuss the situation together, and decide:---how to encourage employees to take part in the training---what kind of schedule would be suitable for the training 10.Teamwork
Your company is sending a small group of employees away together for three days to
encourage them to work as a team.You have been asked to help plan the programme.Discuss the situation together, and decide:---what practical arrangements the company needs to make before the trip---what work and leisure activities would be suitable for the group 11.Foreign Business Trip
Your company is attending a trade fair in a foreign country for the first time.You have been asked to help with the preparations for the trip.Discuss the situation together, and decide:---what travel and accommodation arrangements you will need to make before the trip---which kinds of business customs in the foreign country it would be useful to know about, and how to find out about these before the trip 12.(For three candidates)Entertaining Foreign Clients Your company is entertaining a group of foreign clients for three days, including one
non-working day.You have been asked to plan a programme for the visit.Discuss the situation together, and decide:---what kinds of activities would be suitable for the visit---which members of staff should accompany the visitors---what information it would be useful to know about the clients before finalizing the
programme 13.For three candidates Work Experience Programme
The manufacturing company you work for has decided to offer a two-week work experience
programme for a small group of students from a local business college.You have been asked to help with the preparations for this programme.Discuss the situation together, and decide:---what kinds of work experience the company could offer.how the participants should be selected---what feedback and evaluation should take place after the programme has finished 14 For three candidates
English Language Training
Your company is planning to offer 30 hours of English language training to employees.You have been asked to help with the planning and organization of the training.Discuss the situation together, and decide:---which staff would benefit most from English language training.how to encourage
employees to take part in the training---what kind of schedule would be suitable for the training 15 For three candidates
Teamwork
Your company is sending a small group of employees away together for three days to
encourage them to work as a team.You have been asked to help plan the programme.Discuss the situation together and decide:---what practical arrangements the company needs to make before the trip---which work and leisure activities would be suitable for the group---how to evaluate the success of the trip BEC中級模擬口試試題 Stage One Interlocutor: Good morning.My name is John Smith, and this is my colleague, Mary Clinton.And your names are Li Hua and Wang Wei? Li: Yeah
Wang: Yeah Interlocutor: Thank you.Now, first of all, we'd like to know something about each of you.Mr.Li, can you tell me about yourself? Li: My pleasure.As you know, my name is yandali.I'm from Shandong province.I'm now studying in Beijing union University.And I'm majoring in business English there.Interlocutor: Thank you.Mr.Li.Now Mr.Wang, can you tell me about your ambitions Wang: Yes.I am now a student with Suzhou University majoring in business administration.I hope I can get my MBA and join a world-famous multinational company.And after I have had enough experience, I am going to start a company of my own.Interlocutor: Thank you, Mr.Wang.And Mr.Li, could you tell me about your ambitions? Li: A big question for me indeed.I've never thought about it, but I bet I'll work towards a CEO of a big multinational corporation.That's my goal in life.And that's why I am spending so much time on English, business English in particular.Interlocutor: Mr.Li, you said you're spending a lot of time on business English.Do you think business English is difficult to learn? Li: Not exactly, though it may be difficult at the initial stage.The thing is that you need to have some business knowledge before you start to learn business English.Interlocutor: How about you, Mr.Wang? Is it difficult for you? Wang: Not really.You know, I like English very much, and my major is business administration.So I have always found business English very interesting.Stage Two
The importance of having a good CV Well, in my opinion, you can never underestimate the importance of having a good CV.In the majority of cases, your CV is the employer's first impression of you, your first chance to impress your potential employer, let's say.It is the essential illustration of your
suitability for the job, showing how your skills and experience match your employer's
requirements.But more than that, it shows your ability to summarize, prioritize and present information effectively, essential skills in today's job market.It also shows your linguistic and
communicative abilities.Even though employers these days use a variety of selection techniques, such as analyzing your handwriting, a good CV is still the single most important part of any application.Stage Three Time Management Your company has found that ineffective time management is one of the major problem areas throughout the workforce.You have been asked to put forward some suggestions for improving the situation.Discuss, and decide together:
------why poor time management can become a major problem in companies
------what procedures could be adopted to ensure that time is managed effectively.Zhang: Hi, Ms Wang, you know, our company is sort of out of control these days.Don't you think so? Wang: Yeah.Everything seems to be in disorder here in our company.And that obviously
has a lot to do with poor time management.Zhang: You mean poor time management has caused all these problems.Why? Wang: When time is not well planned within a company, they usually do not allocate blocks of time to specified tasks.They do not have a definite idea of when they should complete a certain task.And Zhang: And I think they often neglect the ordering of priorities.I mean certain tasks need
our prior attention.But in our company every task is treated on an equal basis, even if it is a very urgent task.Wang: That's the point.So time should be planned according to the importance of the tasks we need to deal with.Zhang: So what do you think we can do so that time is managed effectively here in our company? Wang: You mean what procedures we can adopt? Zhang: Sure.That's what our boss is asking us to do.Right? Wang: Right.I think we've got a lot to do.First, we should make all the staff members
realize how important effective time management is to our company.Zhang: Yes, I think we can give them instruction in time management, especially those in
supervisory positions.Wang: Right, perhaps we can run a few training programs for them.If need, we may invite some experts from outside to help us.Zhang: Another thing we can do is to make all the managers, or even every staff member,come up with a job description of their own.In this way, they can be pretty sure
about what they are responsible for and what they are not.Wang: Yes, that's a good idea.And I think, the top managers of our company should come up with a set of rules as to what kind of jobs should be given priority to.In this way, we can make sure that important tasks are dealt with first.Zhang: Good idea.So to sum up, our company should run a few training programs, and every staff member should write a job description of their own.Wang: And rules should be made as to what kind of job should be given priority to.15
第三篇:BEC 歷年真題 部分
BEC商務英語高級考試歷年真題(1)
The Negotiating Table
You can negotiate virtually anything.Projects, resources, expectations and deadlines are all outcomes of negotiation.Some people negotiate deals for a living.Dr Herb Cohen is one of these professional talkers, called in by companies to negotiate on their??behalf.He approaches the art of negotiation as a game because, as he is usually negotiating for somebody else, he says this helps him drain the emotional content from his conversation.He is working in a competitive field and needs to avoid being too adversarial.Whether he succeeds or not, it is important to him to make a good impression so that people will recommend him.The starting point for any deal, he believes, is to identify exactly what you want from each other.More often than not, one party will be trying to persuade the other round to their point of view.Negotiation requires two people at the end saying ‘yes”.This can be a problem because one of them usually begins by saying “no”.However, although this can make talks more difficult, this is often just a starting point in the negotiation game.Top management may well reject the idea initially because it is the safer option but they would not be there if they were not interested.It is a misconception that skilled negotiators are smooth operators in smart suits.Dr Cohen says that one of his strategies is to dress down so that the other side can relate to you.Pitch your look to suit your customer.You do not need to make them feel better than you but, For example, dressing in a style that is not overtly expensive or successful will make you more approachable.People will generally feel more comfortable with somebody who appears to be like them rather than superior to them.They may not like you but they will feel they can trust you.Dr Cohen suggests that the best way to sell your proposal is by getting into the world of the other side.Ask questions rather than give answers and take an
interest in what the other person is saying, even if you think what they are saying is silly.You do not need to become their best friends but being too clever will alienate them.A lot of deals are made on impressions.Do not rush what you are saying---put a few hesitations in , do not try to blind them with your verbal dexterity.Also, you should repeat back to them what they have said to show you take them seriously.Inevitably some deals will not succeed.Generally the longer the negotiations go on, the better chance they have because people do not want to think their investment and energies have gone to waste.However , joint venture can mean joint risk and sometimes , if this becomes too great , neither party may be prepared to see the deal through.More common is a corporate culture clash between companies, which can put paid to any deal.Even having agreed a deal, things may not be tied up quickly because when the lawyers get involved, everything gets slowed down as they argue about small details.De Cohen thinks that children are the masters of negotiation.Their goals are totally selfish.They understand the decision-making process within families perfectly.If Mum refuses their request , they will troop along to Dad and pressure him.If al else fails, they will try the grandparents, using some emotional blackmail.They can also be very single-minded and have an inexhaustible supply of energy for the cause they are pursuing.So there are lesson to be learned from watching and listening to children.Dr Cohen treats negotiation as a game in order to
A put people at ease
B remain detached
C be competitive
D impress rivals Many people say “no” to a suggestion in the beginning to
A convince the other party of their point of view
B show they are not really interested
C indicate they wish to take the easy option
D protect their company’s situation Dr Cohen says that when you are trying to negotiate you should
A adapt your style to the people you are talking to
B make the other side feel superior to you
C dress in a way to make you feel comfortable.D try to make the other side like you According to Dr Cohen, understanding the other person will help you to
A gain their friendship
B speed up the negotiations
C plan your next move.Dconvince them of your point of view Deals sometimes fail because
A negotiations have gone on too long
B the companies operate in different ways
C one party risks more than the other.D the lawyers work too slowly Dr Cohen mentions children’s negotiation techniques to show that you should
A be prepared to try every route
B try not to make people feel guilty
C be careful not to exhaust yourself
D control the decision-making process.關于negotiating techniques的文章。傳統的閱讀題型,相對比較容易。
15題,答案很明顯:he says this helps him drain the emotional content from his conversation。幫助他抽離他的談話中的感情成分。要想選對,只需要知道選項B中detached的含義:not reacting to or becoming involved in something in an emotional way
16題,這題貌似只能采取排除法。因為幾個選項和原文的對應都不是太明顯。問為什么很多人在一開始要對一個建議說“不”。答案是第二段的最后一句:Top management may well reject the idea initially because it is the safer option but they would not be there if they were not interested.。最高管理層在一開始可能會拒絕這個建議,因為這樣是一個更安全的選擇。但是如果他們真的不感興趣的話,他們就不會在那里(談判)了。A在這段文字中沒有提到,B不對,他們肯定是感興趣的,C也不對沒有提到,原文說的是safer option。選D,之所以會拒絕,因為從維護公司利益的角度,這樣是一個safer option。
17題,答案也很明顯:Dr Cohen says that one of his strategies is to dress down so that the other side can relate to you.這里的兩個詞組可以解釋下:
dress down: to wear clothes that are more informal than the ones you would usually wear relate to :to feel that you understand someone's problem, situation etc
所以這個句子意思是穿的不那么正式,這樣可以讓另一方接近你。也就是A說的是你的風格適應你的談判對象。C不對,不是make you feel comfortable,而是make others feel comfortable。D也不對,可能會誤選,不是讓別人喜歡你,like太夸張了,只是容易接近。
18題,答案在第四段的第一句話:Dr Cohen suggests that the best way to sell your proposal is by getting into the world of the other side.。走進另一方的世界,就是原文說的understanding the other person,目的是為了sell your proposal,也就是讓對方接受你的建議,選D。
19題,談判失敗的原因,答案是第五段的這么一句:More common is a corporate culture clash between companies, which can put paid to any deal。公司文化沖突導致的。文化沖突,就是兩個公司在運作、理念等等上的不一致,選C:兩個公司以不同的方式運作。
20題,為什么要借鑒小孩子的辦法,原文最后一段提到小孩子的辦法就是,爸爸不行
找媽媽,媽媽不行就在感情上敲詐爺爺奶奶。此路不通就換另一條,就是A說的嘗試每一條路線。B沒有提到,C不對,原文說小孩子有inexhaustible supply of energy。D也沒有提到。
BEC商務英語高級考試歷年真題(2)
The Scientific Approach to Recruitment
When it(0)to selecting candidates through interview, more often than not the decision is made within the first five minutes of a meeting.??Yet employers like to(21)themselves that they are being exceptionally thorough in their selection processes.In today’s competitive market place, the(22)of staff in many organizations is fundamental to the company’s success and, as a result , recruiters use all means at their disposal to(23)the best in the field.One method in particular that has(24)in popularity is testing , either psychometric testing, which attempts to define psychological characteristics , or ability£aptitude testing(25)an organization with an extra way of establishing a candidate’s suitability for a role.It(26)companies to add value by identifying key elements of a position and then testing candidates to ascertain their ability against those identified elements.The employment of psychometric or ability testing as one(27)of the recruitment process may have some merit, but in reality there is no real(28), scientific or otherwise, of the potential future performance of any individual.The answer to this problem is experience in interview techniques and strong definition of the elements of each position to be(29)as the whole recruitment process is based on few real certainties, the instinctive decisions that many employers make, based on a CT and the first five minutes of a meeting, are probably no less valid than any other tool employed in the(30)of recruitment.21.A suggest B convince C advise D believe
22.A worth B credit C quality D distinction
23.A secure B relies C attain D achieve
24.A lifted B enlarged C expanded D risen
25.A provides B offers C contributes D gives
26.A lets B enables C agrees D admits
27.A portion B member C share D component
28.A extent B size C amount D measure
29.A occupied B met C filled D appointed A business B topic C point D affair
《The scientific approach to recruitment》,招人的科學方法。這篇完型比較簡單。完型填空也有兩種題型,兩種解題思路。一種是從意思上理解然后做出選擇,一種是根據單詞的用法。前者比較容易,后者很考驗語言功底。
21題,理解上下文的意思。前面說招人時的決定一般是在五分鐘以內做出的。但是雇主們試圖使自己詳細相信他們在挑選過程中是經過了深思熟慮的。Convince oneself,使確信。其他的詞沒有這個用法。
22題,員工的質量對公司的成功是至關重要的。選quality。
23題,招人者試圖利用一切方法來抓住這個領域最好的(人才),secure the best,抓住最好的。realise是實現,attain是獲得,后面不能接人,achieve是實現一個目標。
24題,rise in popularity,固定搭配,popularity是知名度的意思,這個詞組應該可以翻譯成聲名鵲起。
25題,provides with,提供。給組織提供另外一種方法。offer的用法是offer sb sth,contribute在這里意思不對。
26題,是公司能夠增加價值,enable
27題,這題的意思很明顯,測試(testing)作為招聘過程的一個組成部分,要區分選項的幾個單詞,尤其是portion和component,看英英解釋。
Component:one of several parts that together make up a whole machine, system etc
Portion:a part of something larger, especially a part that is different from the other parts
這里強調testing是一個組成部分,沒有說明特殊的地方,選component。
28題,對每個人未來的可能表現沒有一個真正的衡量。選measure。
29題,fill a position,填補空位,fill在這里的意思是to perform a particular job, activity, or purpose in an organization, or to find someone or something to do this。不能選occupy,因為occupy更強調人的一種主動,而這里只是客觀說某個需要填補的職位。
30題,in the business of,也是一種固定的說法,在什么的過程中。很多場合都可以使用。可以多看幾個例句:
We’re in the business of stimulating the economy(By Obama)
Energetics is a specialist management consultancy in the business of climate change
BEC商務英語高級考試歷年真題(3)
There is a commonly held view that the only way to get(0)decent pay increase is to move on: to go out into the job market and find someone(31)is prepared to pay you a figure more in line(32)the talents you can offer.Whilst changing employers from time(33)time is something we probably all need to do to advance our careers in the directions we want them to take, it is nevertheless an activity that carries quite definite risks.Irrespective of(34)well we research prospective employers, a new job is still largely a step into the unknown.It may turn(35)to be a good move or it could prove to be a complete disaster : most of us(36)had
experience of both.The point here, though, is that changing employers is not something we want to be doing all the time and certainly not(37)time we feel the urge for better pay.We’d(38)taking more risks than we needed to just to achieve a pay rise.Getting a pay rise should always be viewed(39)a serious business.There are no quick fixes or gold methods with “ guaranteed “ results.Quick fixes only serve to trivialize the issues and could(40)some circumstances get you into very serous trouble indeed.答案及解析
關于加薪的文章,教你怎么樣實現加薪。這道題目不難,但是拋開題目,單說文章里談的加薪的方法,各位還是要辯證的看。要想人生第一份工作就找到自己滿意的,是挺難,可是以加薪為目的跳槽,也未必是什么明智的好辦法。
31題,太明顯的定語從句,前面是someone,那么當然填入表示人的關系代詞who。
32題,in line with,和什么一致,固定搭配,在中級的選詞版完型里常考到這個詞組。這句的意思是,找個一個愿意給你提供和你才能更加一致的薪水的人。
33題,from time to time,時不時的。changing employers from time to time,時不時的換老板。
34題,Irrespective of,同regardless of一樣,后面接讓步狀語從句,不管我們對可能的雇主研究的多么好,新的工作都是一個未知數。用how well。
35題,turn out to be,固定用法。
36題,換工作,要么是個好的舉措,要么將成為災難。而我們大多數人這兩種經歷都有。有這種經歷,是過去完成時,用have+done。
37題,理解前后文意思。換老板不是件我們經常愿意做的事情,并且也不是一想要加薪就要換老板。用every time,表示每次要加薪就準備換老板。
38題,這題有點難度,考驗人的語法功底。首先這個句子是虛擬語氣,We’d是we would的縮寫,而不是we had。是表示對將來的假設,我們要承擔更多的風險。所以用would be。
39題,比較明顯的,view as,將什么視作什么。
40題,和circumstance相關的詞組,很容易想到under/on some circumstance,在某種情況下。
BEC商務英語高級考試歷年真題(4)Genuine feedback would release resources to be used elsewhere.Managers are expected to enable their staff to work effectively.Experts are unlikely to facilitate a move to genuine feedback.There are benefits when methods of evaluating performance have been negotiated.Appraisals tend to focus on the nature of the face-to-face relationship between employees and their line managers.The idea that employees are responsible for what they do seems reasonable.Despite experts’ assertion, management structures prevent genuine feedback An increasing amount of effort is being dedicated to the appraisal process.A
Performance appraisal is on the up and up.It used to represent the one time of year when getting on with the work was put on hold while enormous quantities of management hours were spent in the earnest ritual of rating and ranking performance.Now the practice is even more frequent.This of course makes it all the more important how appraisal is conducted.Human resources professionals claim that managers should strive for objectivity and thus for feedback rather than judgement.But the simple fact of the matter is that the nature of hierarchy distorts the concept of feedback because performance measure are conceived hierarchically.Unfortunately, all too many workers suffer from the injustices that this generates.B
The notion behind performance appraisal-that workers should be held accountable for their performance-is plausible.However, the evidence suggests that the premise
is wrong.Contrary to assumptions appraisal is not an effective means of performance improvement-it is judgement imposed rather than feedback, a judgement imposed by the hierarchy.Useful feedback , on the other hand, would be information that told both the manager and worker how well the work system functioned, and suggested ways to make it better.C
Within the production system at the car manufacturer Toyota, there is nothing that is recognizable as performance appraisal.Every operation in the system has an associated measure.The measure has been worked out between the operators and their manager.In every case, the measure is related to the purpose of the work.That measure is the basis of feedback to the manager and worker alike.Toyota’s basic idea is expressed in the axiom “bad news first”.Both managers and workers are psychologically safe in the knowledge that it is the system-not the worker –that is the primary influence on performance.It is management’s responsibility to ensure that the workers operate in a system that facilitates their performance.D
In many companies , performance appraisal springs from misguided as assumptions.To judge achievement, managers use date about each worker’s activity, not an evaluation of the process or system’s achievement of purpose.The result is that performance appraisal involves managers’ judgement overruling their staff’s, ignoring the true influences on performance.Thus the appraisal experience becomes a question of pleasing the boss, particularly in meetings, which is psychologically unsafe and socially driven, determining who is “in” and who is “ out”.E
When judgement is replaced by feedback in the true sense, organizations will have a lot more time to devote to their customers and their business.No time will
be wasted in appraisal.This requires a fundamental shift in the way we think about the organization of performance appraisals, which almost certainly will not be forthcoming from the human resources profession.關于員工評估和反饋的文章。一個組織內部的上下級溝通真的太重要了。
第一題,說真正的反饋可以釋放用在別處的資源。意思上真正的反饋可以讓人騰出精力。答案是E段的第一句:When judgement is replaced by feedback in the true sense, organizations will have a lot more time to devote to their customers and their business。這題的意思還算比較明顯,feedback in the true sense,就是genuine feedback,devote to their customers and the business,就是把資源釋放在別的地方。
第二題,說經理們是被期望著使員工工作得更有效率。答案是C段的最后一句:It is management’s responsibility to ensure that the workers operate in a system that facilitates their performance.經理們的責任,也就是managers are expected to,有利于他們的表現,就是enable their staff to work effectively。
第三題,說專家不大可能有利于真正反饋的進程。答案是E段的最后一句:which almost certainly will not be forthcoming from the human resources profession。人力資源專家,就是experts。需要理解下這里的forthcoming的含義:willing to divulge information.(人)愿意透露消息的。專家們不愿意透露消息,也就是不能指望專家來facilitate。
第四題,說商討評估表現的方法是有利的。答案是在C段,有點分散。前面說The measure has been worked out between the operators and their manager。這個措施是在操作者和經理們之間擬定的。between the operators and managers,也就是評估表現的方法是被商討了的。后面介紹的情況都是這個measure有多么的好:is the basis of feedback。綜合起來,就是選項說的,商討是有好處的。
第五題,說評估傾向聚焦于員工和他們直屬經理們之間面對面關系的性質。這個選項可能會弄的人一頭霧水,首先得弄明白這里的面對面關系指的是什么。員工和直屬經理的關系,就是上下級的關系,過分看重這個關系,那么在評估過程中就會有顧慮,誰還敢揭自己上司 的短?所以這個句子的意思是說評估過程中有顧忌,無人敢說真話。答案是D段的這么一句:Thus the appraisal experience becomes a question of pleasing the boss。評估過程成了討好自己的老板,說的就是這個意思。
P.S:這是我個人對這道題的理解,大家有異議,可以提。
第六題,說員工對他們所作負責的想法聽起來很合理。答案是B段的第一句:The notion behind performance appraisal-that workers should be held accountable for their performance-is plausible。這里的accountable就是負有責任。Plausible是貌似真實的,也就是seems reasonable。
第七題,說雖然有專家們的主張,管理層的結構阻止了真正的反饋。答案是A段的這么一句:the simple fact of the matter is that the nature of hierarchy distorts the concept of feedback。管理層的機構,就是這句里提到的the nature of hierarchy,等級制的性質。這個單詞在BEC閱讀里常出現。distort,扭曲,就是選項里的prevent。
第八題,說在評估過程中投入了更多的努力。答案是A段的這么一句,有點隱晦:Now the practice is even more frequent.This of course makes it all the more important how appraisal is conducted.這個句子是緊跟上文的,the practice指的就是appraisal。評估的更頻繁,評估是怎么進行的顯得更加重要。認為更加重要了(makes it all the more important),就會投入更多努力了。綜合起來,這些的意思就是評估過程投入了更多的努力。不太容易看出來。
BEC商務英語高級考試歷年真題(5)
In the last few years, managers throughout industry have seen more changes than many of them could have expected to see in their entire working lives having to communicate information which often leads to feelings of insecurity has become a key activity.From being regarded as relatively unimportant in many companies , management employee communication has become a central corporate need.Concordia International provides a good example of a company that has adjusted
well to the changing needs for communication.since 1995 , Concordia has been turned inside-out and upside-down, to ensure that it is a marketing –led, customer-responsive business, one that looks outwards at customers and competitors, rather than inwards at its own processes and the way things were done in the past.In the last eight years, Concordia has reduced its workforce by more than 80.000 peopleor 35%-on a voluntary basis, with further downsizing anticipated.減少了80000員工(或者說減少了35%的員工),預期還會減少更多。A選項是對的,made redundant是前面某套題目閱讀的第五部分考過的詞組;B不對,沒有完成(completed),因為預期還會裁減更多(with further downsizing anticipated);C也不對,迷惑性最大,reduced its workforce of 80.000,用了介詞of,所以這句的意思是一共就80000員工,而實際情況是減少了80000
員工;D不對,35%的員工被裁減,都是在自愿的基礎上的,而不是離開的人中有35%是自愿的。
16題,問根據此人的觀點,溝通的角色是什么。也就是問溝通的目的或者作用是什么。答案在第三段。溝通是為了幫助人樹立自信,說服他們雖然要面臨一些變化,但是同樣也會擁有一些新的機會。說白了,就是鼓勵這些被裁的人。答案選C,強調變化的積極方面。這里的positive aspects是對前面說的bring with them new opportunities的一個概括。(想起了電影《在云端》,up in the air,里面那個老男人的工作就是職業裁員專家,專門對被裁的人說些這樣的話。)
17題,問調查顯示大多數人對change的反應是什么。這題在答案中也很明顯,但是選項很糾結。都有點似是而非。The second category, usually the majority, may respond to threatened changes with a feeling of having been let down.,and even feel anger at the company for what they see as changing the terms of their employment.大多數員工的反應就是很失望,甚至會很憤怒。個人覺得這題出的不夠嚴謹,沒有哪個選項能嚴格從原文中提煉出來。對比下D要好點,因為對公司失望和憤怒,就是覺得受到了不公正的待遇。此題有待高手補充更完美的理由。
18題,問溝通過程主要依賴于什么。答案是第五段的這句:people prefer to get their information face-to-face from their line managers。喜歡面對面的從直屬經理那里獲取信息。所以選C,個人的交流。
19題,問組織內部提供信息的指導準則是什么。最后一段的第一句就是:The general rule in company communication is to tell employees as much as you can as soon as you can。盡可能的快,盡可能的多。不能提供細節的,至少給個大致的背景消息(put the news in context)。時機成熟了,再告知更多。選B:在可能的最早的階段讓人有個總體的印象。
20題,給文章選標題。這種題在BEC的閱讀里還真不多見。選標題,就是要挑選文章的最主要意思,從整體上把握文章的main ideas。這篇文章通篇說的就是communication,前面介紹了溝通的背景:裁員;接著說了員工對裁員的反應;然后最后兩段,一段說員工喜
歡什么樣的溝通方式,一段說溝通的原則是什么。綜合起來,就是關于怎樣進行有效溝通的問題。選B。A不對,片面了,只是文中某部分的內容,并且這部分內容是為后面做背景介紹,不是主要的;C不對,不是簡單的research,research僅僅是介紹狀況,文章還有關于實現措施的。
BEC商務英語高級考試歷年真題(6)
The Negotiating Table
You can negotiate virtually anything.Projects, resources, expectations and deadlines are all outcomes of negotiation.Some people negotiate deals for a living.Dr Herb Cohen is one of these professional talkers, called in by companies to negotiate on their behalf.He approaches the art of negotiation as a game because, as he is usually negotiating for somebody else, he says this helps him drain the emotional content from his conversation.He is working in a competitive field and needs to avoid being too adversarial.Whether he succeeds or not, it is important to him to make a good impression so that people will recommend him.The starting point for any deal, he believes, is to identify exactly what you want from each other.More often than not, one party will be trying to persuade the other round to their point of view.Negotiation requires two people at the end saying ‘yes”.This can be a problem because one of them usually begins by saying “no”.However, although this can make talks more difficult, this is often just a starting point in the negotiation game.Top management may well reject the idea initially because it is the safer option but they would not be there if they were not interested.It is a misconception that skilled negotiators are smooth operators in smart suits.Dr Cohen says that one of his strategies is to dress down so that the other side can relate to you.Pitch your look to suit your customer.You do not need to make them feel better than you but, For example, dressing in a style that is not
overtly expensive or successful will make you more approachable.People will generally feel more comfortable with somebody who appears to be like them rather than superior to them.They may not like you but they will feel they can trust you.Dr Cohen suggests that the best way to sell your proposal is by getting into the world of the other side.Ask questions rather than give answers and take an interest in what the other person is saying, even if you think what they are saying is silly.You do not need to become their best friends but being too clever will alienate them.A lot of deals are made on impressions.Do not rush what you are saying---put a few hesitations in , do not try to blind them with your verbal dexterity.Also, you should repeat back to them what they have said to show you take them seriously.Inevitably some deals will not succeed.Generally the longer the negotiations go on, the better chance they have because people do not want to think their investment and energies have gone to waste.However , joint venture can mean joint risk and sometimes , if this becomes too great , neither party may be prepared to see the deal through.More common is a corporate culture clash between companies, which can put paid to any deal.Even having agreed a deal, things may not be tied up quickly because when the lawyers get involved, everything gets slowed down as they argue about small details.De Cohen thinks that children are the masters of negotiation.Their goals are totally selfish.They understand the decision-making process within families perfectly.If Mum refuses their request , they will troop along to Dad and pressure him.If al else fails, they will try the grandparents, using some emotional blackmail.They can also be very single-minded and have an inexhaustible supply of energy for the cause they are pursuing.So there are lesson to be learned from watching and listening to children.Dr Cohen treats negotiation as a game in order to
A put people at ease
B remain detached
C be competitive
D impress rivals Many people say “no” to a suggestion in the beginning to
A convince the other party of their point of view
B show they are not really interested
C indicate they wish to take the easy option
D protect their company’s situation Dr Cohen says that when you are trying to negotiate you should
A adapt your style to the people you are talking to
B make the other side feel superior to you
C dress in a way to make you feel comfortable.D try to make the other side like you According to Dr Cohen, understanding the other person will help you to
A gain their friendship
B speed up the negotiations
C plan your next move.D convince them of your point of view Deals sometimes fail because
A negotiations have gone on too long
B the companies operate in different ways
C one party risks more than the other.D the lawyers work too slowly Dr Cohen mentions children’s negotiation techniques to show that you should
A be prepared to try every route
B try not to make people feel guilty
C be careful not to exhaust yourself
D control the decision-making process.關于negotiating techniques的文章。傳統的閱讀題型,相對比較容易。
15題,答案很明顯:he says this helps him drain the emotional content from his conversation。幫助他抽離他的談話中的感情成分。要想選對,只需要知道選項B中detached的含義:not reacting to or becoming involved in something in an emotional way
16題,這題貌似只能采取排除法。因為幾個選項和原文的對應都不是太明顯。問為什么很多人在一開始要對一個建議說“不”。答案是第二段的最后一句:Top management may well reject the idea initially because it is the safer option but they would not be there if they were not interested.。最高管理層在一開始可能會拒絕這個建議,因為這樣是一個更安全的選擇。但是如果他們真的不感興趣的話,他們就不會在那里(談判)了。A在這段文字中沒有提到,B不對,他們肯定是感興趣的,C也不對沒有提到,原文說的是safer option。選D,之所以會拒絕,因為從維護公司利益的角度,這樣是一個safer option。
17題,答案也很明顯:Dr Cohen says that one of his strategies is to dress down so that the other side can relate to you.這里的兩個詞組可以解釋下:
dress down: to wear clothes that are more informal than the ones you would usually wear
relate to :to feel that you understand someone's problem, situation etc
所以這個句子意思是穿的不那么正式,這樣可以讓另一方接近你。也就是A說的是你的風格適應你的談判對象。C不對,不是make you feel comfortable,而是make others feel comfortable。D也不對,可能會誤選,不是讓別人喜歡你,like太夸張了,只是容易接近。
18題,答案在第四段的第一句話:Dr Cohen suggests that the best way to sell your proposal is by getting into the world of the other side.。走進另一方的世界,就是
原文說的understanding the other person,目的是為了sell your proposal,也就是讓對方接受你的建議,選D。
19題,談判失敗的原因,答案是第五段的這么一句:More common is a corporate culture clash between companies, which can put paid to any deal。公司文化沖突導致的。文化沖突,就是兩個公司在運作、理念等等上的不一致,選C:兩個公司以不同的方式運作。
20題,為什么要借鑒小孩子的辦法,原文最后一段提到小孩子的辦法就是,爸爸不行找媽媽,媽媽不行就在感情上敲詐爺爺奶奶。此路不通就換另一條,就是A說的嘗試每一條路線。B沒有提到,C不對,原文說小孩子有inexhaustible supply of energy。D也沒有提到。
BEC商務英語高級考試歷年真題(7)
Sweet smell of excess-for just £ 47.874 a bottle
The marketing says it is the “ ultimate symbol of indulgence and truly impeccable taste”.A new scent, named V1, has(0)launched for Christmas-retailing at just £47.874.The makers are proudly promoting it(31),the “ world’s most expensive perfume” and are confident of selling the limited edition of 173 bottles-(32)it should be exactly 173 bottles is not made clear in the publicity for the product.Although carefully priced at just under the £50.000 mark, this perfume is clearly(33)something for anyone who considers £30 too much to pay for a bottle of eau-de-toilette.Those(34)are potential customers will certainly be reassured to learn that a case covered in rubies and diamonds is included free(35)charge.Purchasers are assured of further savings, with unlimited scent refills guaranteed indefinitely-at no extra cost.The fragrance is the idea of Arfaq Hussain, a 27-year-old clothes designer who first made a name(36)himself with an air-conditioned jacket he was asked to make
by the singer Michael Jackson(37)far, Mr Jackson is the only person to(38)placed an order-he wants two, according to Mr Hussain.Mr Hussain is unconcerned at having no previous experience of perfumery.“ It’s so(39)more than a perfume----it’s a piece of jewellery, too.” explained Mr Hussain.He attempted to describe the £47.874 sensation.“ it is delicate , fragrant and quite unique.When you open the lid, it takes you totally away.It’s just(40)being surrounded by thousands of wild flowers and roses.這是高級閱讀部分的一個新題型。不僅中級里面沒有,一般的英語考試也沒有。填詞版的完形填空。乍一看會覺得很難,有點像是主觀題。其實題型什么的都是次要的,都是借著題型這個外殼考察語言功底。只要基本功夠扎實,完全可以通過摸準不同題型的特點來做出正確的答案。
具體說BEC H里的填詞版完型,里面填入的詞主要是連詞、介詞和代詞,一般不會讓你填入那種需要發揮超級想象力才能想得出的形容詞和動詞。做題的思路有兩種,一種是固定用法、常見表達,一種是從語法角度分析句子結構,來判斷句子缺失的成分。
這篇文章講的是一種昂貴的新型香水,走的是高端路線。
31題,這題答案很明顯。圣誕發布的香水,制作者打算將它開發成“世界上最昂貴的香水”(most expensive perfume),promote?.as,將什么給開發成什么。
32題,要從意思和句子結構上進行分析。前面說發售限量版的173瓶香水,后面一個破折號做進一步的說明。從意思上看,詞組made clear很關鍵,表原因的;而從句子成分上看,這里就是關系代詞引導的從句在句子中充當補充成分。而能夠表示原因的關系代詞,是why。
33,34,35,這三道題也很明顯。33題從意思上做,這個香水肯定是不適合認為30英鎊的香水很貴的人,所以是填not,表否定;34題,those who的搭配,應該夠的上條件反射的級別,those who are potential customer,那些是潛在客戶的人;35題,free of charge,免費,固定搭配。
36題,這題考察的也是一個固定搭配,make a name for oneself,使?出名。這個香
水的創意來自一個服裝設計師,而此人最早出名是因為邁天王讓他制作了一件空調夾克(air-conditioned jacket)。
37題,截止目前邁天王是唯一的下了訂單的人。So far,截止目前。
38題,下了訂單。have done,表示完成的意思。
39題,理解句子的意思+固定用法的使用。這個句子的意思很明顯:它不僅僅是一瓶香水,它還是一件珠寶。所以空格前后搭配的意思應該是不僅僅。用so much more than。例如:so much more than just a home。
40題,最后幾句話都是夸贊這個香水的。多么的精致獨特。而當你打開香水的時候,你整個人都被take away了,就像是被成千上萬的野花和玫瑰簇擁著。說香水,卻扯到wild flowers和rose上面去了,所以是比喻,用like。
BEC商務英語高級考試歷年真題(8)
The Scientific Approach to Recruitment
When it(0)to selecting candidates through interview, more often than not the decision is made within the first five minutes of a meeting.Yet employers like to(21)themselves that they are being exceptionally thorough in their selection processes.In today’s competitive market place, the(22)of staff in many organizations is fundamental to the company’s success and, as a result , recruiters use all means at their disposal to(23)the best in the field.One method in particular that has(24)in popularity is testing , either psychometric testing, which attempts to define psychological characteristics , or ability£aptitude testing(25)an organization with an extra way of establishing a candidate’s suitability for a role.It(26)companies to add value by identifying key elements of a position and then testing candidates to ascertain their ability against those identified elements.The employment of psychometric or ability testing as one(27)of the recruitment
process may have some merit, but in reality there is no real(28), scientific or otherwise, of the potential future performance of any individual.The answer to this problem is experience in interview techniques and strong definition of the elements of each position to be(29)as the whole recruitment process is based on few real certainties, the instinctive decisions that many employers make, based on a CT and the first five minutes of a meeting, are probably no less valid than any other tool employed in the(30)of recruitment.21.A suggest B convince C advise D believe
22.A worth B credit C quality D distinction
23.A secure B relies C attain D achieve
24.A lifted B enlarged C expanded D risen
25.A provides B offers C contributes D gives
26.A lets B enables C agrees D admits
27.A portion B member C share D component
28.A extent B size C amount D measure
29.A occupied B met C filled D appointed A business B topic C point D affair
《The scientific approach to recruitment》,招人的科學方法。這篇完型比較簡單。完型填空也有兩種題型,兩種解題思路。一種是從意思上理解然后做出選擇,一種是根據單詞的用法。前者比較容易,后者很考驗語言功底。
21題,理解上下文的意思。前面說招人時的決定一般是在五分鐘以內做出的。但是雇主們試圖使自己詳細相信他們在挑選過程中是經過了深思熟慮的。Convince oneself,使確信。其他的詞沒有這個用法。
22題,員工的質量對公司的成功是至關重要的。選quality。
23題,招人者試圖利用一切方法來抓住這個領域最好的(人才),secure the best,抓住最好的。realise是實現,attain是獲得,后面不能接人,achieve是實現一個目標。
24題,rise in popularity,固定搭配,popularity是知名度的意思,這個詞組應該可以翻譯成聲名鵲起。
25題,provides with,提供。給組織提供另外一種方法。offer的用法是offer sb sth,contribute在這里意思不對。
26題,是公司能夠增加價值,enable
27題,這題的意思很明顯,測試(testing)作為招聘過程的一個組成部分,要區分選項的幾個單詞,尤其是portion和component,看英英解釋。
Component:one of several parts that together make up a whole machine, system etc
Portion:a part of something larger, especially a part that is different from the other parts
這里強調testing是一個組成部分,沒有說明特殊的地方,選component。
28題,對每個人未來的可能表現沒有一個真正的衡量。選measure。
29題,fill a position,填補空位,fill在這里的意思是to perform a particular job, activity, or purpose in an organization, or to find someone or something to do this。不能選occupy,因為occupy更強調人的一種主動,而這里只是客觀說某個需要填補的職位。
30題,in the business of,也是一種固定的說法,在什么的過程中。很多場合都可以使用。可以多看幾個例句:
We’re in the business of stimulating the economy(By Obama)
Energetics is a specialist management consultancy in the business of climate change
Time for a new career
“losing your job isn’t the end of the world: it gives you’re the chance the a new beginning(0)says Caroline Poole, 30, Who was made redundant(31)her role
as head of marketing campaigns with an insurance group two years ago.The news was a blow, especially after a successful nine-year career with the business, but she was determined to see redundancy(32)a positive force for change.(33)it seemed a tough lesson at the time, redundancy was the catalyst that redirected my career, “ says Caroline “It gave me the break I needed to understand(34)my career objectives lay.”
Working with a consultant, Caroline explored a number of work options that oppealed to her.She also took advantage of workshops on issues(35)as setting up your own business, and managing your finances.A key consideration for her was(36)easy it would be to balance working in London with home life 100 kilometers away.She was encouraged to network(37)other marketing professionals and via this route made contact with a communications agency.She took time out to go travelling , and on her return was offered a role in the agency.(38)was proof to her that she still had marketable skills.Two years(39)from redundancy, Caroline is planning another career break.“ The experience of redundancy has made me view my options with more confidence.I now know that I can dictate my own career path, even(40)it were to mean resigning first and then taking time to find the right direction” she says.填詞版的完形填空,關于失業之后該如何開始新的職業生活的。這些文章讀多了,對人是會有啟發的。此外,這種題型也很考驗人的語言功底,短語積累和基本的語法知識是必不可少的。
31題,考查的是固定搭配。這里的意思很明顯,是指這個女的在自己的職位上被開除了,make redundant是商業英語里的地道說法:Follow a fair and legal process when it's necessary to dismiss staff on the grounds of redundancy.如果是made redundant,后面的介詞用from,可以看個例句:Just been made redundant from your last job?
32題,比較簡單,see as,將什么視為。將失業視為改變的積極動力。
33題,雖然是艱難的一課(a tough lesson),還是改變了我的職業方向(redirect my career),有轉折的意思,although和though。
34題,這是個定語從句,當中要填入的是關系代詞。給了我需要的時間,來弄明白我的職業目標放在哪。用where。
35題,這題很明顯,舉例的,用such as。
36題,分析這個句子的成分。前面是a key consideration,做主語,有個was,是謂語,was后面的是賓語。在賓語成分里出現了it would be to balance?..這樣的完整的句子,所以空格部分應該填入一個詞,引導從句,并且這個詞所接從句必須倒裝。滿足這個要求的詞是how。(How引導的狀語從句要求部分倒裝)
37題,network with,詞組:connect as or operate with a network,將?連成網。
38題,還是個定語從句。一個完整的句子,缺乏關系代詞來銜接,要用which。關鍵在于要識別出這里的定語從句,否則很難往那上面想。在做這類題目時,如果一個句子各種成分都很齊全,而且比較長,那么是從句的可能性很大,要根據上下文的意思來判斷填入的代詞。題目做多了,會培養出這方面的警覺性。
39題,two years on,固定說法,兩年以后,兩年過去了。
40題,很容易聯想到even if或者是even though,只能填if不能填though。這是兩個意思和用法都不同的詞組。even if,即便,帶有假設的意思,后面接虛擬語氣;even though,即使,表示既定事實。40空后面的句子是虛擬語氣,因此這個題目只能填if。
第四篇:BEC中級口語真題
劍橋商務英語(BEC)中級口語考試試題
口語考試分為三部分:
第一階段:考官和考生交流,時間大約3分鐘Example 1.Q:What’s your name? A:My name is(Kate)(注:括號內的為參考答案).Q:Where are you from? A:I come from(JiangSu Province)3.Q:Are you a student or worker?
A:I am a(student/worker)
要點::以上問題,只要你簡單闡述就行了,不要長篇大論,而且老師問什么,你回答什么,千萬不要拖泥帶水。
Exercise:(每人問兩個問題和答兩個問題)
1、What is your major?
2、Which course do you like best?
3、Why do you study English?
4、Do you like doing business? Why?
第二階段:時間大概6分鐘,每個考生分別發給一張帶有三個不同題目的卡片,每個考生的題目都是不同的。考生需要從三個題目中選擇一個題目,準備一分種,然后根據題目的要求他和提示作一分種的簡短發言。
Exercise :(以下問題三選一,每人陳述一分鐘,并把你要講的內容寫在作業本上。)
1、Selecting a business magazine,which is more important?
Cost
Content 2、Choosing software, which is more important?
Potential benefit
Hard disk
3、For the manager , which experience is more important?
Experience
Education background
要點:第二部分讓你從三個題中選一個,要一直連續不斷的說,直到老師叫你停為止。高分需要說的有層次,不老是顛來倒去那幾句話,需要詞匯豐富。你和搭檔是不同的兩份試題。
第三階段考試時間大概5分鐘,老師會給你和你搭檔一個大題,上面是有一個題目的背景和兩到三個問題,30秒鐘的準備后進行2分鐘的討論。
(以下內容為二選一,每個對話內容在2分鐘以上,直接講,不用手寫作業)1.The retail company is planning to open a new branch
Discuss the situation together and decide:
Q: A)What the company should consider when choosing a site?
B)How should the company advertise the opening of the new store?
2.Your company is organizing a conference for the sales mangers working in its office around the world.Discuss the situation together and decide:
Q: A)What information will you need to send the sales manager before the conference?
B)What activities you could organize to help people to get know each other better?
要點:3分鐘討論,不要出現冷場,先就兩個問題進行討論,如果你覺得沒話說了,可說一些與問題或背景相關的內容,但不要本末倒置了,兩個問題是核心談話內容。另外,3分鐘談論結束后,老師會提兩個問題,最好是每人回答一個,如果你一個都不回答,那么你在這個環節上是會扣分的。
第五篇:BEC中級真題詳細解析
BEC中級真題詳細解析:第二輯TEST 1 PART 1 Coaching the contact between coach and employee not solving all difficulties at work 2 the discussion of how certain situations could be better handled if they occur again 3 a coach encouraging an employee to apply what has been taught to routine work situations 4 coaching providing new interest to individuals who are unhappy in their current positions 5 coaching providing a supportive environment to discuss performance 6 employees being asked to analyse themselves and practise greater self-awareness coaching enabling a company to respond rapidly to a lack of expertise in a certain area Coaching A Coaching involves two or more people sitting down together to talk through issues that have come up recently at work, and analysing how they were managed and how they might be dealt with more effectively on subsequent occasions.Coaching thus transfers skills and information from one person to another in an on-the-job situation so that the work experience of the coach is used to advise and guide the individual being coached.It also allows successes and failures to be evaluated in a non-threatening atmosphere.B Coaching means influencing the learner's personal development, for example his or her confidence and ambition.It can take place any time during an individual's career.Coaching is intended to assist individuals to function more effectively, and it is a powerful learning model.It begins where skills-based training ends, and helps individuals to use formally learnt knowledge in day-to-day work and management situations.Individuals being coached are in a demanding situation with their coach, which requires them to consider their own behaviour and question their reasons for doing things.C The coach professionally assists the career development of another individual, outside the normal manager/subordinate relationship.In theory, the coaching relationship should provide answers to every problem, but in practice it falls short of this.However, it can provide a space for discussion and feedback on topics such as people management and skills, behaviour patterns, confidence-building and time management.Through coaching, an organisation can meet skills shortages, discuss targets and indicate how employees should deal with challenging situations, all at short notice.D Effective coaches are usually those who get satisfaction from the success of others and who give time to the coaching role.Giving people coaching responsibilities can support their development, either by encouraging management potential through small-scale one-to-one assignments, or by providing added job satisfaction to managers who feel they are stuck in their present jobs.A coach is also a confidential adviser, accustomed to developing positive and effective approaches to complex management, organisational and change problems.這篇文章講的是培訓(coaching)的作用。培訓對一個公司的發展和員工的成長都是至關重要的。文章的內容比較泛,但是題目的答案比較明顯。
第一題,教練和員工之間的接觸不能解決工作中的所有困難。答案是C段的這么一句:In theory, the coaching relationship should provide answers to every problem, but in practice it falls short of this.理論上,培訓可以提供所有問題的答案。但是實踐中達不到這樣。Fall short of是關鍵詞。
第二題,討論某些情況如果再度出現的話怎么樣可以處理的更好。答案是A段的這么一句:analysing how they were managed and how they might be dealt with more effectively on subsequent occasions.分析應該如何進行處理并且在接下來的情況下怎樣可以處理的更有效。這里的dealt with more effectively對應于題干中的better handled,on subsequent occasions.也就是occur again。
第三題,教練鼓勵員工將所學應用到日常的工作中。答案是B段的這么一句:helps individuals to use formally learnt knowledge in day-to-day work and management situations.幫助個人將學到的正式知識用在日常工作和管理情況下。這里的day-to-day work and management situations就是題干中的routine work situations,what has been taught也就是formally learnt knowledge。
第四題,培訓為在現有崗位上不高興的個人提供了新的興趣。答案是D段的這么一句:providing added job satisfaction to managers who feel they are stuck in their present jobs。對感覺自己在現有崗位上受困的經理們提供附加的工作滿足感。這里的stuck in their present jobs就是題干中的unhappy in their current position,added job satisfaction可以對應于題干中的new interest。
第五題,培訓提供了一個有力的、支持性的討論工作表現的環境。答案是A段的:It also allows successes and failures to be evaluated in a non-threatening atmosphere.它允許成功和失敗在一個沒有威脅的氣氛下被評估。成功和失敗也就是performance,supportive environment可以對應于non-threatening atmosphere。
第六題,員工被要求分析他們自己并且培養出更強的自知。有必要理解下self-awareness的含義,不能簡單的從中文理解成自我意識,看英文解釋:knowledge and understanding of yourself。所以答案是B段的這么一句:requires them to consider their own behaviour and question their reasons for doing things.要求他們考慮自己的行為并且思考這么做的理由。consider their own behaviour可以對應于題干中的analyse themselves,思考這么做的理由也是為了進一步增進對自己的認識。
第七題,培訓可以使得公司對某個領域的技術缺失迅速做出反應。答案是C段的最后一句:indicate how employees should deal with challenging situations, all at short notice.指出員工怎樣處理有挑戰性的情況,在短時間內。At short notice是一接到通知就,短時間內的意思,可以對應這一題的respond rapidly,challenging situations可以指代題干中的a lack of expertise in a certain area.BEC中級真題詳細解析:第二輯TEST 1 PART 2 自助餐領域
BUFFET ZONE
Lucy Robertson started working at a takeaway 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 £6m.She had never planned to own a business, and had certainly never considered a career in catering.(0).......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 loyalty 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 £700,000 to £l.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-capitalised 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.《Buffet Zone》,自助餐區域,在這篇文章里的意思應該是自助餐領域,講的是一個在自助餐領域取得了驚人成績的杰出女性創業的故事。這套題目不難,尤其比起第四輯的題目。文章本身有很清晰的故事發展脈絡,選項和原文的對應也比較明顯。文章的幾個段落是按照時間先后、故事發生的先后進行的,很明確。第一段是總括,第二段是講的創業起步階段的一些困難以及應對困難的對策,第三段是公司好轉后的辦公室重置(relocation),第四、五段是公司的競爭情況,最后一段總結。
第八題,前面說一時沖動她買下了這個外賣餐館(takeaway),事實上那個時候她對餐飲業一無所知。空格后面說的是這段時間很困難,但是對獲得所需要的經驗卻是很有必要的。所以第八題的空格部分應該填入跟學習、積累經驗有關的內容。D選型最吻合,It was a dramatic learning curve,這里的learning是關鍵詞,很明顯的答案信號。還有very small amounts of money were earned at first,at first也是關鍵詞。
第九題,空格前面說large numbers of office workers wanting takeaway food for their lunches,大量的辦公室員工需要外賣食品做午飯,這里的wanting是個很關鍵的詞。空格后面話鋒一轉,說曾經一度5公里內有26家食品商店,但是經濟轉變了,一條街都空了(blocks started to become vacant)。從上下文來分析,第九空的內容應該和辦公室員工的外賣需求有關,同時帶有轉折意思。C選項完全符合這一條件:但是這種需求是短暫的,不久,逐漸增長的競爭使得贏得利潤變得更加困難。
第十題,上文說經濟形勢轉變了,所以Robertson決定從事多樣化的經營。后面說這種做法永遠的改變了公司的經營方式。所以第十空應該填入相應的對策,怎么樣來應對經濟形勢的轉變。符合這一條件的是B和E,都是關于解決問題的,但是B選項所說的招募競爭對手的餐廳經理在上下文內容中沒有提到。應該選D,為商業大廈送飯,正好對應下一段所說的。第十一題,這一題才應該選B,前面說競爭對手給自己造成了很大的困擾。但是Robertson卻不是那么容易屈服的人。后面說部分原因是這個,營業額翻倍了。所以中間應該也是填入對策。和競爭對手有關的,應該選B,B的particular是個關鍵詞,rival company也很明顯。
第十二題,前面說Robertson想收購一個競爭對手,但是沒成功,結果人家公司自己破產倒閉了。后面來了一個many accepted,可以看出這中間應該填入的是人家公司破產后Robertson的一些舉措。F滿足這一條件:一聽到這些,Robertson馬上聯系他們的客戶并且提供了自己公司的服務。
BEC中級真題詳細解析:第二輯TEST 1 PART 3 怎樣開發自己
HOW TO MARKET YOURSELF
We manage our own careers now.So knowing how to brand and position yourself in the market as 'Me plc' at different stages of your working life is becoming an increasingly vital skill.At least that is what image expert Mary Spillane believes.'Employment as we know it is decreasing.Jobs don't exist, work exists.In the next decade most of us will be suppliers, not staff.We will have clients not bosses.If you are under 30, you probably know that there is only one firm to join for life: Me plc.It promotes you and your potential to others.' 'We're working in multi-national, multicultural, multi-corporate teams and it's important to understand the implications of this.We need to create a personal brand that is unique, but complements the brand of the corporation we are working for.You have to find a way to do it so that you are not just a typical employee,' advises Spillane.'You have to decide what central values you want to project, and also what may need to alter from situation to situation.'
Many people only remember Mary Spillane for the years she spent running a cosmetics company, but she actually has masters degrees in information science and politics.She used to hide that hard-hitting side, but is now eager to show it and forget about cosmetics.'Now that I'm working in the boardrooms of major plcs and global companies, I'm playing up my degrees and management background so that the image side is seen only as an addition to the value side,' says Spillane.Some contracts take longer than others.'The City law firms I'm currently working for are really difficult because they don't have any idea of what their brand should be, and are still very traditional even when talking about becoming modern.I'm showing them how to do everything from changing their reception areas-which tend to be very off-putting with their high-fronted reception desksdespite the benefit of notesand that means listening.B Listening is not the same thing as hearing;it is not an effortless activity.It demands attention and concentration.It may mean quizzing the speaker for additional information or for clarificationprobably at the very moment when he or she is saying something critical.And not having heard, you won't know you've missed anything until it's too late.C The most common bad habit we have is to start thinking of what we are going to say about the subject long before the other speaker has finished.We then stop listening.Even worse, this often adds rudeness to inattentiveness, as once you have decided what to say there is a fair chance you will interrupt to say it.Good listeners don't interrupt.In fact it is often worth explaining the main idea of what you have just been told before going on to make your own points.Nobody is offended by this and it shows that you have listened well.D Above all be patient and accept that many people are not very good communicators.It's helpful to remember that the ways people move and position themselves while they are speaking can reveal a great deal about what they are saying.Equally importantly you should put yourself in the other person's place, both intellectually and emotionally;it will help you to understand what they are getting at and form a response.But don't be too clever.Faced with a know-all, many people keep quiet because they see no point in continuing.這篇文章講的是傾聽(listening)的重要性。一個好的管理者必然是一個好的傾聽者,所以要講究傾聽的藝術。第一題,有時堅持進一步的解釋是很有必要的。答案是B段的這么一句:It may mean quizzing the speaker for additional information or for clarificationit should help you to move up to the next level.B The Director Of course there are all the formal things in managing your bossone of the more serious failings in the book of management.The importance of being a team player is a side effect of the increasing interaction across departments and functional divides.Instead of pushing reports, paperwork and decisions around the organisation, 'teams provide a dynamic meeting place where ideas can be shared and expertise more carefully targeted at important business issues,' says Steve Gardner, in his book Key Management Concepts.He adds, 'Globalisation has added a further dimension to teamwork.Multinational teams now study policy decisions in the light of their impact on the local market.' But is teamworking being overdone? 'Some managers are on as many as seven or eight different teams', says Dr Cathy Bandy, a psychologist who recently ran a conference on the subject.'They take up so much time that managers can't get on with core tasks.' Forming teams and having meetings has, she says, become an end in itself, almost regardless of purpose.There is also the danger of an unhealthy desire to keep the team going after the work has been done.'People feel
the need to belong, and team membership can provide a kind of psychological support.' The idea behind teamworking is that, when the right group of people is brought together, a 'force' develops which is greater than the sum of their individual talents.This is often true in sport, where good players can reach unexpected heights as members of an international team.However, few business situations have as clear a set of objectives, or as clear criteria of success or failure, as winning a match.'In business, everyone needs to be clear about what the challenge is and whether a team is the right way of approaching it', says Steve Gardner.'Unfortunately, people focus instead on who the members of the team should be and what roles they are to play' Dr Bandy agrees.'There is always a danger that teams can turn into committees,' she says.'In a lot of situations, one or two individuals would be much more effective.' So what makes a successful team? There are some general qualities that have been identified.Steve Gardner recommends that in every team there should be someone who is good at researching ideas and another who is good at shooting down impractical ones.There should be those who can resolve the tensions that naturally occur in a team and others who are focused on getting the job done.Also, providing a clear and achievable target at the outset is the best way of ensuring that the team will move on to greater things.《Trouble with Teamwork》,團隊合作的麻煩。文章講了團隊的重要性和很多團隊存在的問題,以及怎么樣才能打造一個成功有效的團隊。
第十三題,問文章開頭作者針對團隊合作做了什么論點。第一段是強調團隊合作的重要性,太多的個人成果會顯得這個人不是個合格的團隊成員。選答案要理解第一句話的含義:Recruiters say that candidates who can give examples of work they have done as members of a successful team are in as strong a position as those who can point to significant individual achievement.招聘者說能夠給出自己作為一個成功團隊成員的例子的候選人同那些指出重要的個人成果的人具有同樣重要的地位。言下之意,擁有團隊成員的經歷也很重要。所以選D,作為一個團隊成員如今被視為必要的管理技巧。A、B、C都沒有提到。第十四題,問公司內部的團隊合作是作為對什么的回應。也就是問團隊合作的目的是什么,答案是第二段的這么一句:'teams provide a dynamic meeting place where ideas can be shared and expertise more carefully targeted at important business issues 團隊提供了一個動態的會議場所,使得思想可以分享,技能可以更加仔細的對準重要的商業問題。這句里的dynamic meeting place可以對應于B段的changing work practice。第十五題,問在第三段Dr Bandy暗示什么。答案是她的一句原話:Forming teams and having meetings has, she says, become an end in itself, almost regardless of purpose.形成團隊然后開會成了它本身的終點,幾乎不管目的是什么。也就是說很多團隊的建立是沒有意義的,多余的。選C,一些團隊被不必要的創建了。第十六題,問作者認為團隊合作在體育領域里更有效的原因是什么。第四段講當一群正確的人被組合到一起時會產生一種高于這些人個人能力的力量,在體育比賽里就是如此。這一題的答案是第四段的最后一句:few business situations have as clear a set of objectives, or as clear criteria of success or failure, as winning a match.。很少有企業能像贏得一場比賽一樣有一系列清晰的目標,或者是對成功或失敗有清晰的評判準則。也就是A選項所說的:知道他們想要實現什么。what they want to achieve可以對應于a set of objectives。第十七題,問這兩個人同意當一個商業團隊被創立時人們沒有把注意力放在什么上面。這一
題要理解第五段的意思。第一句說In business, everyone needs to be clear about what the challenge is and whether a team is the right way of approaching it。在企業,每個人都必須很清楚挑戰是什么以及團隊是否是實現它的最好的辦法。考慮團隊是不是最好的辦法,也就是說要考慮其他可能的途徑,即B選項所說的團隊的替代品(alternatives to the team),后面有句focus instead?.人們卻把注意力放在了其他的地方。從這些可以看出答案是B。
第十八題,問關于運作一個成功團隊Steve Gardner的建議是什么。這題的答案是對最后一段的概括。答案是最后一段第三句recommend后面的一長串there?who,要有不同的人勝任不同的角色。歸納起來,就是各司其職選C:選擇能夠自然融洽的勝任某個角色的人。其他幾個選項都沒提到。
第二段有個地方值得解釋下。Globalisation has added a further dimension to teamwork。這里的dimension用法比較特別,表示方面,特征,并且是很地道常見的說法 牛津詞典的解釋:an aspect or feature of a situation, problem, or thing。
麥克米蘭的解釋:a part of a situation, especially when it influences the way you think about the situation。
e.g: Doing volunteer work has added a whole new dimension to my life.常見搭配:an extra/added/additional/further dimension BEC中級真題詳細解析:第二輯TEST3 PART 4 人力資源政策
《Human Resource Policy》,人力資源政策。主要是講的CBA銀行的人力資源政策。先簡單介紹了這個銀行的管理結構,是扁平化的組織結構(flatter organizational structure),而不是等級制公司(hierarchy)。總體原則是不招應屆的剛出校門的畢業生,而要有一定的生活經驗或者是工作經驗。
第19、20、21題,這幾空都是舉例說明前面提到的human resources practices。19空是說的將公司的發展目標傳達給員工。公司目標,用objective。purpose是指具體做某件事情的意圖。這里有必要區分一下objective和purpose,看英文解釋。
purpose: the reason you do something, and the thing you want to achieve when you do it objective: something that you are working hard to achieve, especially in business or politics 第20題,個人培訓和發展計劃的制定。個人發展計劃,personal development plans,選C。
第21題,定期的表現回顧。用review。hold在這個句子里是舉行的意思。the holding of regular performance review,定期舉行員工的表現回顧。
第22題,說扁平化的組織結構可以給員工更加定義廣泛的角色。broadly defined roles,選C。第23題,人際交往技巧是很重要的。interpersonal skills,是地道的說法。參見一個例句:you will need good interpersonal skills.第24題,這一句的意思很好理解,是說員工們越來越看重或者說是承認一個事實:顧客的滿意是組織的主要目標。recommend是推薦、建議,后面不接the fact(事實),honour是敬重,obey是遵守,這里應該選擇respect。respect這里是重視或者接受的意思,看英英詞典上的解釋:to accept that something which is established or formally agreed
is right or important and not to attempt to change it or harm it。所以這一空應該選擇respect the fact,表示接受這個事實。
第25題,CBA銀行追求這個目的是為著自己的利益,而不是為股東掙利潤的工具。for the sake of something 或 for something's sake:for the purpose of;in the interest of;in order to achieve or preserve 為了?目的;為了?的利益;為了。。固定用法,選A。
第26題,尋找潛在的新成員。地道的詞是potential,比如potential recruits, potential staff, potential candidates.第27題,考察的是短語take on的一個用法,雇傭:If you take someone on, you employ them to do a job.;write in:to write a letter to a newspaper, television company or other organization, to state an opinion or ask something以群眾來信的形式表達的意見。
第28題,把畢業生分配在各個連鎖金融服務領域。用area。field做領域、范圍講的時候是指的研究、活動,region是指的具體的地區,parts是部分,應該用area。第29題,完成目標,met the targets。
第30題,完成了目標就可以得到工作。secure:to get possession of;acquire: 第31題,招的人已經具有了一定的生活經驗。gain:to obtain something that is useful, that gives you an advantage, or that is in some way positive, especially over a period of time eg: After you've gained some experience teaching abroad you can come home and get a job.第32題,薪酬現在和業績掛鉤。link to,聯系。
第33題,reward sb.獎勵某人。reward employees for their achievements and effort,因為功勞而獎勵員工。
BEC中級真題詳細解析:第二輯TEST3 PART 5 起作用的會議
《Meetings that work》,起作用的會議。文章講的是開好一個會議應該注意哪些問題。34題,it is vital to do sth.,做什么事情是至關重要的。too?to結構表示太而不能。從上下文和詞組的用法來看,too是多余的。35題,正確的
36題,since so many are unproductive,是說的很多會議都沒有效果。主謂賓很齊全,unproductive做形容詞就可以修飾前面的meeting,results是多余的。37題,完整的句子應該是Sending an email or(by)using another means of communication might achieve the desired results in half the time。介詞by是多余的。有by,不僅后面的主語不對,也沒有與前面的sending保持一致。38題,正確的
39題,這個句子的前后沒有因果關系,去掉so 40題,(Concerning)the key to a good meeting is an agenda,主謂賓是齊全的,the key to a meeting是主語,is是謂語,an agenda是賓語,意思就是日程表是會議的關鍵。Concerning是多余的。41題,正確的
42題,those who固定的搭配,指代哪些人,ones是多余的
43題,去掉插入成分starting with the most important,完整的句子是set(that)out the points for discussion。set out是詞組,在這里是陳述、闡明的意思:present information or ideas in a well-ordered way in writing or speech.。所以that多余。44題,discuss是及物動詞,做討論時直接用discuss,而不是discuss about。事實上,在discuss后面接about時的about一般都是做“大約的”意思講,而不是一個完整的詞組。所以此處about多余。45題,正確的。
BEC中級真題詳細解析:第二輯TEST 4 PART 1 連鎖
1、This development is in an area where the potential for consumer spending is the highest in the country.2、The partners constructing this centre have been responsible for numerous other developments.3、The centre may become a model for future urban development plans.4、This centre is being marketed by the developers as the best place in the area to shop.5、Other shopping destinations are located close to the agreed site for this centre.6、Plans for this development have been presented to people who live in the area for comment and approval.7、This development is being built in an area which has experienced sustained growth over time.A
The Birmingham Alliance will provide Birmingham with one of Europe's largest regional shopping centres, right in the heart of the city.The Alliance, an initiative between three of the largest developers in the country, all with extensive experience of urban regeneration schemes, will facilitate an £800m investment in Birmingham.This will regenerate 40 acres of the city centre within the next decade.Planning permission is in place for the new scheme, which will be a short distance from existing prime retail areas.The development will be well serviced by all forms of public transport, as well as providing parking space for 3,200 cars.B
The private-public partnership between Legal & General and Bracknell Town Council will manage the £500m regeneration of the town's centre.The proposals, which are awaiting the outcome of consultation with local residents, provide for approximately 102,000m2 of retail and leisure facilities, 200 residential units and office accommodation.This development is expected to set the standard for town centre regeneration schemes to come because of the way it integrates the business and community sectors.It will also facilitate great improvements in the region's transport infrastructure.C
Bluewater is a symbol of retail excellence, achieved through a unique combination of design, retail mix, leisure, catering and hospitality.The centre, surrounded by parkland, is situated in the country's most affluent region.Eleven million people, with a combined spending power predicted to exceed a record 5.5bn pound, live within 60 minutes of the centre.The developers set a precedent in the industry by getting the country's three best-known department stores to open very large branches within the centre, as well as over 300 leading fashion and lifestyle stores.D
Following its recent stock market success, Lend Lease is now developing Overgate shopping centre in Dundee.Construction is well under way, and with several of the country's best-known retailers already secured, Lend Lease is promoting the centre as the unrivalled shopping destination of the region.The economic base of the area has improved continuously over the past decade, due to the fast expansion of the biomedical and service sectors.With an estimated potential market of 500,000 people, Overgate is proving attractive to leading UK retailers.這套題目的難度不一般,我估計能把這套題給吃透了,以后基本可以笑傲閱讀的第一部分了。文章有點散,題目的信息也是相當隱晦,很可能看了半天依然找不著北。寫到這里多啰嗦幾句,越是這種時候越要沉住氣:所有人都一樣,別人不會感覺比你容易。這是整個BEC考試的第一部分,如果不對付好了,后面會潰不成軍。
文章ABCD四個部分分別介紹了四個不同的連鎖店的發展情況(retail development),因為是基本情況的介紹,所以有點泛,沒法提煉重點,只能盡可能多的把文章里的疑似重點詞匯劃出來,以待備用。
第一題,說這個地區的消費支出潛力是整個國家最高的,這里的highest是關鍵詞。答案是C段的這句話:Eleven million people,with a combined spending power predicted to exceed a record 5.5bn pound.意思是綜合消費能力預計將超過記錄。預計(predict),也就是潛力(potential)。hightest,也就是exceed a record。前面有個affluent,是形容詞,富裕的。
第二題,說建筑這個中心的合作方曾多次負責其他的項目發展。答案是A段的一句話:an initiative between three of the largest developers in the country, all with extensive experience of urban regeneration schemes.意思是這三個國內最大的開發商都擁有廣泛的城市建造經驗。這里的with extensive experience就是題干所說的have been responsible for numerous other developments.第三題,說這個中心可能會成為未來城市發展規劃的范例。答案是B段的一句:This development is expected to set the standard for town centre regeneration schemes to come。這種發展有望為即將到來的城市中心再建方案樹立標準。set the standard對應于model,plans對應于schemes。
第四題,關鍵詞是best,答案是D段的這么一句:Lend Lease is promoting the centre as the unrivalled shopping destination of the region.是說Lend Lease打算促使該中心成為這個地區無與倫比的消費目的地。Unrivalled對應于best。
第五題,關鍵詞是一個close,答案是A段的:Planning permission is in place for the new scheme, which will be a short distance from existing prime retail areas。A short distance from也就是close。
第六題,說這個發展方案提交給了住在這里的人,等待他們的評價和同意。答案是B段的“The proposals, which are awaiting the outcome of consultation with local residents”,這個提議還在等當地居民商議的最后結果,完全一個意思。第七題,說建造在了一個曾經歷了持續增長期的地區,答案是D段的“The economic base of the area has improved continuously over the past decade”,這個地方的經濟基礎連續改善了十年。sustained growth對應于improved continuously。
BEC中級真題詳細解析:第二輯TEST 4 PART 2 員工評估
Staff Appraisals
A director of the advertising agency owned by tycoon Bob Jacoby once grumbled that he wasn't enjoying his work.Jacoby's reply was, 'I don't pay you good money to enjoy yourself.If you enjoy working here, you should be paying me money.' Jacoby's sentiments used to be common.(0)____ Happily, things have changed.Most organisations now undertake regular staff appraisals, at which employees have the opportunity to discuss one-to-one with their line manager their ambitions and hopes, their strengths and weaknesses, their achievements and their disasters.But it is worth remembering how new all this is, and why.For a start, appraising isn't something many managers do naturally of their own accord.They often find appraisals difficult to handle and have to be made to carry them out.Appraisal systems have become widespread partly as a result of employment legislation, but more particularly because companies have learned that such assessments can work to their advantage.(8)......The company can improve its collective performance by helping employees to improve their individual performance.Managers who use appraisals need to approach them very carefully.They should bear in mind their own experiences of being appraised when in junior positions, recalling which appraisals were helpful, which were not, and why.In most cases, their own bosses did their homework, checking out the job specification, the C.V.and any previous reports.(9).........As a result, a lot of time would have been wasted, debating exactly what had happened and when.Being prepared and appreciating what it is like to be on the receiving end are, indeed, the keys to successful appraising.It is important to begin an appraisal by giving members of staff a chance to express their own views about their performance.(10).........Any information gained from colleagues is normally given in a positive spirit, since nowadays everyone understands appraisals and appreciates that they are carried out with good intentions.The atmosphere in the appraisal should be one of positive and open discussion about how the employee is performing in the company.(11).........Some individuals will feel unjustly criticised when their boss makes comments on their performance.Others will respond fiercely to a critical assessmentotherwise known as 'pioneering'this would not be a giant leap and the sales force would take it in its stride.Also, they wouldn't need to re-equip their factory and could use non-UK sourcing if facilities here are in short supply.B Mesut Guzel They have the fundamentals of a survival strategy in a market where outsourced manufacture and brand differentiation hold the key to success.I think they should initially locate some of their
production in another country, where manufacturing quality tends to be better and it is easier to meet changing customer demands.But they should also regularly monitor production in Britain and think about outsourcing all this work abroad at some point if they need it done faster.The company should continue to work on innovative products, and thorough market research will help to ensure any new ideas are well received.C Gary Wilmot In order to beat their rivals in a highly competitive market, Flacks should ensure their products are attractive and build on their relationships with the big stores rather than trying to go it alone and market directly.They should also consider refocusing production by using their UK factory for high-specification products.They could eventually build more production overseas in a cycle of continuous development.D Michal Kaminski The demand for fashion accessories is relatively flat and the company should consider exploiting niche markets to improve its margins.But even within these, Flacks must distinguish its goods from those of its rivals in terms of quality, performance and design.Innovative sales, marketing and PR are vital to exploit these niche products.One competitive advantage that Flacks does have is production times.Many retail chains now have two-tier supply chains and Flacks could focus on top-up orders.They might also investigate other sales channels such as mail order.這篇文章是關于一個女性時尚飾品公司——Flacks的發展戰略問題,四個專家給出了自己的建議。這套題目的答案稍微有些隱晦。
第一題,說在開發新產品前咨詢客戶的意見對于Flacks來講是很明智的。答案是B段的最后一句:thorough market research will help to ensure any new ideas are well received.徹底的市場調查能夠確保新的思想很好的被接受。Market research,市場調查,在很大程度上就是咨詢客戶的意見(consult customers),any new ideas可以對應于developing a new product,能夠well received,那么對于公司來講當然就是advisable了。選B。第二題,說為專業市場生產產品可以增加利潤。答案是D段的這么一句:the company should consider exploiting niche markets to improve its margins這題關鍵是要理解一個市場的含義:niche market。看英英解釋:a small area of trade within the economy, often involving specialized products。improve its margins也就是increase profits,選D。第三題,說Flacks可能需要改變它的一個設備的功能。這里答案不是太明顯,是C段的這么一句:They should also consider refocusing production by using their UK factory for high-specification products。他們也需要考慮通過利用英國工廠生產高規格產品來調整生產焦點。也就是說,英國工廠原來不是生產高規格產品的,即題目說的改變它的一個設備的功能。第四題,說Flacks可以利用現有的技能來進入一個新的市場。答案是A段的這么一句:They need to move into a more promising market, one where demand is growing and where the company can exploit existing skills and contacts。他們需要進入一個更有發展前景的市場,一個需求增長并且公司可以利用現有技能和合同的市場。exploit existing skills也就是utilise its current expertise。第五題,說Flacks可以考慮關閉現有的生產設備。這題也有些隱晦,答案是這么一句:think about outsourcing all this work abroad。關鍵就在于outsource這個詞的意思:turn to outside suppliers or manufacturers外購。既然是要考慮outsource——turn to outside manufactures,那么也就是可以考慮關閉自己的生產設備了。選B。
第六題,說Flacks應該考慮發展同領先的連鎖商已經建立起來的關系。答案在C段:build on their relationships with the big stores發展他們同大商店的關系。第七題,說擴展產品范圍對勞動力來講不是問題。答案在A段:They could think about brand extensionand you may need to experiment to find what suits you best-find some way of fitting the activity into your schedule.Never say, 'I don't have time to plan today'.B Managers at all levels occasionally find they have taken on more than they can cope with.This is not a crime, but you must examine the reasons for such a situation and then plan a course of action.Until the problem is resolved, most of your time and energy will go into worrying about the situation and you will feel unmotivated.Think too about how to prevent it happening again.This may require you to be firm and avoid agreeing to more than is realistic.C If a review of your working practices shows that you are too much of a perfectionist, do something about this.Modern definitions of quality refer to Witness for purpose'.If you bear this in mind, you may find it easier to persuade yourself to settle for an acceptable level of quality rather than perfection.When thinking about objectives and planning how to achieve them, consider how thoroughly you need to do something in order to meet your requirements.Unless you have spare time, do not spend extra hours on an activity in an effort to cover absolutely everything.D If your review of a period of time shows that you are spending time on things that are not really necessary or important, then think hard about whether you can afford this time.Many people file unnecessary papers and attend endless, unproductive meetings.Even top managers can be guilty of misdirecting their efforts by supervising subordinates too closely or failing to delegate.If you question the necessity of certain work, you may find it easier to avoid these misdirected efforts and this will better inform your planning in the future.《Successful Time Management》,成功的時間管理。文章針對怎么利用時間、提高工作效率提出了一些建議。
第一題,為了完成好一個任務,沒有必要處理每一個細節。答案是C段的最后一句話,而且
這句話同時是第一題和第四題的答案所在:Unless you have spare time, do not spend extra hours on an activity in an effort to cover absolutely everything.除非你有空閑的時間,否則不要在一件事情上花費額外的時間去努力涉及到所有事情。cover absolutely everything可以對應于deal with every detail。第二題,如果你有很多要做的,也許需要拒絕以后的工作。答案是B段的最后一句,有點繞:This may require you to be firm and avoid agreeing to more than is realistic.這需要你變得堅定,避免答應超出現實的工作。more than is realistic,也就是眼前無法完成的工作,即work in the future。
第三題,任何計劃行為都需要建立在一個有規律的基礎上。答案在A段。A段整個就是講的計劃的重要性,有計劃,才能合理安排時間。中間說有人喜歡在每天開始的時候計劃,有人喜歡在結束前。答案是這么一句:you may need to experiment to find what suits you best-find some way of fitting the activity into your schedule.你必須去試驗尋找到最適合你的——尋找將這個活動融入到你的時間表的某種方法。要讓計劃融入進你的時間表,也就是說計劃要成為你的日程的固定部分,即題目說的take place on a regular basis。第四題,在第一題已經說了,C段的最后一句,extra hours可以對應于additional time。第五題,可能有些例行的任務不需要被執行。答案是D段的第一句:If your review of a period of time shows that you are spending time on things that are not really necessary or important, then think hard about whether you can afford this time如果回顧某段時間發現你在一些并不是真正必要或者重要的事情上花費了時間,那么你需要仔細考慮這次你是否花的起。言下之意,有些things that are not really necessary or important(some routine tasks)可以不必花時間做(do not need to be carried out)。第六題,如果你覺得自己工作負擔過重,那么查明原因很重要。答案是B段的這么一句:This is not a crime, but you must examine the reasons for such a situation and then plan a course of action。examine the reasons可以對應于identify the cause。
第七題,各個等級的人都會進行浪費時間的活動。答案在D段,需要提煉。D段整個講的都是不要把時間浪費在不必要的事情上。前面說不要干一些routine task,后面說頂端的經理們也會誤用他們的努力。最后一段盤點了很多人,前面的many people,后面的even top manager,和在一起就是題目說的people at all levels。不管是routine task,還是misdirecting their efforts,都是time-wasting activities。
BEC中級真題詳細解析:第三輯TEST 2 PART 2 員工評估
《Staff appraisals》,員工評估。很多公司的員工和經理都害怕評估,但是好的評估可以增進員工的忠誠度和滿意感,給公司帶來益處。
第八題,前面說評估可能是個有用的或者是痛苦的經歷。但是根據調查,標準的評估效果卻不盡如人意。那么正常來講,后面應該接著說評估不好(far from perfect)的原因或者是表現。C選項講的是表現(problems),E選項雖然有because,但是不是講的評估不好的原因。選C,正好和后面也對的上。出了問題,才使得后果更加嚴重(the possible outcome is even worse)。
第九題,也需要理順上下文的邏輯關系。前面說評估的質量取決于老板決定怎么去執行。如果進行的好的話員工會根據收到的反饋來改進他們的表現。空格后面一個SO,問到怎么樣讓一個有建設性的評估被實行?那么前面的內容多少有點轉折的意思。實行的好對改進員工的表現有好處,可實行的不好呢?邏輯上看,這里應該填入評估如果被執行的不好的話會怎么樣,或者說影響實行的一些因素,所以后面才會問到該怎么去執行。從給出的幾個選項,F是最符合這一特征的:評估的格式不允許這個(指根據反饋的結果改進表現)。
第十題,接著上面講評估的具體方法。空格的前面講評估都是manager-led,并且介紹了一些過程。空格后面有in both cases,可以看出空格這里應該填入評估的另一種方法,和manager-led對應的。選項A最符合條件:經理們可能想要員工們自己評價自己的工作表現。alternatively這個連詞是個暗示。
第十一題,前面說很多經理視評估為浪費時間。后面說如果沒有必要的訓練,很多經理都會回避那些需要在評估上討論的讓人不舒服的話題。E選項可以對應于上下文:那主要是因為他們并沒有被演示怎么正確的進行評估。因為沒有接受訓練才不理解,才會認為是浪費時間。have not been shown也就是without the necessary training。
第十二題,這一空是最明顯的。叫評估不合適,那就換個名字吧,選D,叫“performance review”。
BEC中級真題詳細解析:第三輯TEST 2 PART 3 IT行業的問題
Problems in the IT industry
In the information technology industry, it is widely acknowledged that how well IT departments of the future can fulfil their business goals will depend not on the regular updating of technology, which is essential for them to do, but on how well they can hold on to the people skilled at manipulating the newest technology.This is becoming more difficult.Best estimates of the current shortfall in IT staff in the UK are between 30,000 and 50,000, and growing.And there is no end to the problem in sight.A severe industry-wide lack of investment in training means the long-term skills base is both ageing and shrinking.Employers are chasing experienced staff in ever-decreasing circles, and, according to a recent government report, 250,000 new IT jobs will be created over the next decade.Most employers are confining themselves to dealing with the immediate problems.There is little evidence, for example, that they are stepping up their intake of raw recruits for in-house training, or retraining existing staff from other functions.This is the course of action recommended by the Computer Software Services Association, but research shows its members are adopting the short-term measure of bringing in more and more consultants on a contract basis.However, this approach is becoming less and less acceptable as the general shortage of skills, coupled with high demand, sends contractor rates soaring.An experienced contract programmer, for example, can now earn at least double the current permanent salary.With IT professionals increasingly attracted to the financial rewards and flexibility of consultancy work, average staff turnover rates are estimated to be around 15%.While many companies in the financial services sector are managing to contain their losses by offering skilled IT staff 'golden handcuffs'other organisations, like local governments, are unable to match the competitive salaries and perks on offer in the private sector and contractor market, and are suffering turnover rates of up to 60% a year.But while loyalty bonuses have grabbed the headlines, there are other means of holding on to staff.Some companies are doing additional IT pay reviews in the year and paying market premiums.But such measures can create serious employee relations problems among those excluded, both within and outside IT departments.Many industry experts advise employers to link bonuses to performance wherever possible.However, employers are realising that bonuses will only succeed if they are accompanied by other incentives such as attractive career prospects, training, and challenging work that meets the individual's long-term ambitions.36
This means managers need to allocate assignments more strategically and think about advancing their staff as well as their business.Some employers advocate giving key employees projects that would normally be handled by people with slightly more experience or capability.For many employers, however, the urgency of the problem demands a more immediate solution, such as recruiting skilled workers from overseas.But even this is not easy, with strict quotas on the number of work permits issued.In addition, opposition to the recruitment of IT people from other countries is growing, as many professionals believe it will lead to even less investment in training and thus a long-term weakening of the UK skills base.《Problems in the IT industry》,IT行業的問題。IT行業的人才緊缺并且青黃不接,很多公司只顧短期利益,不愿意投入時間和成本進行培訓。并且由于待遇等問題,人員流失現象十分嚴重。
第十三題,問根據第一段,IT部門的成功取決于什么。答案是but后面的一句:but on how well they can hold on to the people skilled at manipulating the newest technology.取決于他們能否留住精通于掌握最新技術的人。也就是A所說的,成功留住有技術的員工。第十四題,問第二段提到的一個問題是什么。第二段這么說:A severe industry-wide lack of investment in training means the long-term skills base is both ageing and shrinking。一個嚴重的全行業范圍的培訓投入缺口意味著長期技術基礎不僅老化而且緊縮。簡單的說,就是人才短缺并且青黃不接。選B:有技術的IT人才未來會更少。Pool在這里是供應、聚集的意思。a pool of skilled labour:supply, common supply, reserve。第十五題,問對于第三段提到的IT行業的長期問題的可能的解決方法是什么。答案在這里:This is the course of action recommended。所以弄明白這里的this is是指代什么,就找到了正確的答案,this is指代的內容在前面:they are stepping up their intake of raw recruits for in-house training, or retraining existing staff from other functions.。他們開始對吸收的生手進行室內培訓,或者是從其他功能上對現有的員工重新培訓。簡單概括,就是培訓,無論是新來的還是老員工。答案選B:為新舊員工擴展公司的培訓計劃。
第十六題,問金融服務行業的一些企業,IT員工問題導致了什么。答案是第四段的這么一句:While many companies in the financial services sector are managing to contain their losses by offering skilled IT staff 'golden handcuffs'