New technology links the world as never before. Our planet has shrunk. It’s now a “global village” where countries are only seconds away by fax or phone or satellite link. And,of course, our ability to benefit from this high-tech communications equipment is greatly enhanced by foreign language skills.
Deeply involved with this new technology is a breed of modem business people who have a growing respect for the economic value of doing business abroad. In modem markets, success overseas often helps support domestic business efforts.
Overseas assignments are becoming increasingly important to advancement within executive ranks. The executives stationed in another country no longer need fear being “ out of sight and out of mind, ” He or she can be sure that the overseas effort is central to the company’s plan for success, and that promotions often follow or accompany an assignment abroad. If an employee can succeed in a difficult assignment overseas, superiors will have greater confidence in his or her ability to cope back in the United States where cross-cultural considerations and foreign language issues are becoming more and more prevalent.
Thanks to a variety of relatively inexpensive communications devices with business applications, even small businesses in the United States are able to get into international markets.
English is still the international language of business. But there is an ever-growing need for people who can speak another language. A second language isn’t generally required to get a job in business, but having language skills gives a candidate the edge when other qualifications appear to be equal.
The employee posted abroad who speaks the country's principal language has an opportunity to fast forward certain negotiations,and can have the cultural insight to know when it is better to move more slowly. The employee at the home office who can communicate well with foreign clients over the telephone or by fax machine is an obvious asset to the firm.
1.[单选题]What is the best title for this passage?- A.Globalization of the World
- B.Rapid Development of High-tech Communication Equipment and Overseas Market
- C.Secret of Success for Modem Business
- D.Key Factors for Business and Business People in Modem World
2.[单选题]The word “edge” underlined in Paragraph 5 means____.- A.something very sharp
- B.the outside limit or boundary
- C.the degree of anger, nervousness or annoyance
- D.a slight advantage over somebody
3.[单选题]The advantage of employees having foreign language skills is that they can____- A.better control the whole negotiation process
- B.easily find hew approaches to meeting market needs
- C.fast-forward their proposals to headquarters
- D.easily make friends with businesspeople abroad
4.[单选题]According to the passage, what is an important consideration of international corporations in employing people today?- A.Connections with businesses overseas.
- B.Ability to speak the client’s language
- C.Technical know-how.
- D.Business experience
5.[单选题]With the increased use of high-tech communications equipment, business people____.- A.have to get familiar with modem technology
- B.are gaining more economic benefits from domestic operations
- C.are attaching more importance to their overseas business
- D.are eager to work overseas
6.[单选题]What is the author’s attitude toward high-tech communications equipment?- A.Critical.
- B.Prejudiced.
- C.Indifferent.
- D.Positive.
7.[单选题]The sentence “Our planet has shrunk” underlined in Paragraph 1 means that__- A.the earth has become physically smaller
- B.the more advanced ways of traveling has made the distance between countries shorter
- C.the traditional concept of our planet has become out-of-date
- D.modem means of communication has made it much easier for people to communicate with each other from different parts of the world
8.[单选题]The word “move” underlined in Paragraph 6- A.change position or place
- B.take action or do something
- C.propose formally for discussion and decision
- D.persuade somebody to change his attitude
9.[单选题]If a businessperson wants to be promoted, the most important thing that is required of him or her is____- A.overseas experience
- B.high-tech communications equipment
- C.a foreign language
- D.English
10.[单选题]The phrase “out of sight and out of mind” underlined in Paragraph 3 probably means____- A.being unable to think properly for lack of insight
- B.being totally out of touch with business at home
- C.missing opportunities for promotion when abroad
- D.leaving all care and worry behind
参考答案: D,D,A,B,B,D,D,B,A,C