In recent years many countries have been faced with the problem of how to make their workers more productive. Some experts claim the answer is to make jobs more varied. But do more varied jobs lead to greater productivity? There is evidence to suggest that while variety certainly makes the worker's life more enjoyable, it doesn't actually make him work harder. As far as increasing productivity is concerned, then, variety is not an important factor.
Other experts feel that giving the worker freedom to do his job in his own way is important. The problem is that this kind of freedom cannot easily be given in the modern factory with its complicated(复杂的) machinery. Thus while freedom of choice may be important, there is usually very little that can be done to create it.
Another important consideration is how much each worker contributes to the product he is making. In most factories the worker sees only one small part of the product. Some car factories are now experimenting with having many small production lines so that each worker contributes more to the production of the cars on his line. It would seem that not only is degree of worker contribution an important factor, but it is also one we can do something about.
To what degree does more money lead to great productivity? The workers themselves certainly think this is important. But perhaps they want more money only because the work they do is so boring. Money just lets them enjoy their spare time more. A similar argument may explain demands for shorter working hours. Perhaps if we succeed in making their jobs more interesting, they will neither want more money, nor will shorter working hours be so important to them.
1.According to the author, what advantage do varied jobs bring?
A. They increase productivity enormously.
B. They reduce boredom among workers.
C. They bring out the best in workers.
D. They relieve workers' difficulties.
2.What can we clearly see from the passage?
A. It’s practical to allow more freedom in a modern factory.
B. It's necessary to have a large number of workers.
C. It's important to raise workers’ sense of contribution.
D. It’s difficult to have more production lines.
3.The passage seems to suggest that ________.
A. more money leads to demands for shorter working hours
B. more money does not automatically create higher productivity
C. workers like more money better than more interesting jobs
D. workers expect to have both more money and more interesting jobs
4.What does the passage mainly discuss?
A. How to enrich workers'1ife.
B. How to make workers more productive.
C. How to shorten working hours.
D. How to decrease dullness in a factory.
Our local Community Youth Club is a very popular organization with young people in my town. I have been a member for four years now and I’ve taken part in a lot of interesting projects. These include fun activities such as holiday camps and discos. We have organized sports competitions and we even made a video.
But it isn’t all just enjoyment, we have also started doing social work to help people in our neighbourhood. We have organized activities for small children during the holidays. We have also formed a social support group to help young people stop smoking.
We are particularly proud of the most recent group we have created. It organizes regular visits to the local old people’s home. This idea came from a school visit to an old people’ home. My class spent an afternoon at a home and everyone found the visit very rewarding.
The old people at the home were very excited by our visit. They were very talkative(健谈的) and they told us their personal stories. During our visit ,the home was filled with the sound of laughter. We sang songs and played games with the old people and had tea together. But we realized that life wasn’t always easy. Some of them were in poor health and were very unhappy. They couldn’t go outside and the visits by children brought some sunshine into their lives.
Many young people like me do not live with our grandparents and we have very little contact with elderly people. As a result, many young people don’t know what they are like and we have a lot of wrong ideas about them. We have little or no idea of the kind of lives they lead in their homes. After this visit, my friends and I decided we should do something to help improve the quality of their lives.
Since the creation of our visiting group, over twenty volunteers have joined us. Up to now, we have organized three group evenings and a concert. But it is the individual(单独的) visits which are the most important. Club members regularly visit old people and everyone finds the experience rich and rewarding.
1.The writer ____________.
A. works at an old people’s home B. lives with her grandparents.
C. lives in an old people’s home. D. regularly visits old people.
2.The Community Youth Club_______________.
A. only organizes leisure activities for young people
B. has made a video about life in an old people’s home
C. has arranged a school visit to the local old people’s home
D. mainly does social work.
3.The writer thinks that many children today __________.
A. are not interested in how old people live
B. do not want to get to know old people
C. have very little contact with old people
D. live with their grandparents
4.As for Community Youth Club’s future, The author’s attitude to it is ____________.
A. positive B. negative C. neutral D. indifferent
San Francisco Fire Engine Tours
San Francisco Winery Tour
Running: February 1st through April 30th
This delicious tour goes through the city on its way to Treasure Island where we will stop at the famous Winery SF. Here you can enjoy 4 pours of some of the best wine San Francisco has to offer. (Included in tickets price)
Departing from the Cannery: Tell time upon request.
Duration(时长): 2 hours
Price: $90
Back to the Fifties Tour
Running: August 16th through August 31st
This tour transports you back in time to one of San Francisco’s most fantastic periods, the 1950s! Enjoy fun history as we take you through San Francisco for a free taste of ice cream.
Departing form the Cannery: 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm
Duration: 2 hours
Price: $90
Spooky Halloween Tour
Running: October 10th through October 31st
Join us for a ride through the historical Presidio district. Authentic fire gear(服装) is provided for your warmth as our entertainers take you to some of the most thrilling parts of San Francisco.
Departing from the Cannery: 6:30 pm and 8:30 pm
Duration: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Price: Available upon request
Holiday Lights Tour
Running: December 6th through December 23nd
This attractive tour takes you to some of San Francisco’s most cheerful holiday scenes. Authentic fire gear is provided for your warmth as you get into the holiday spirit.
Departing from the Cannery: 7:00 pm and 9:00 pm
Duration: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Advance reservations required.
1.Which of the tours is available in March?
A. San Francisco Winery Tour. B. Back to the Fifties Tour.
C. Spooky Halloween Tour. D. Holiday Lights Tour.
2.What can tourists do on Back to the Fifties Tours?
A. Go to Treasure Island. B. Enjoy the holiday scenes.
C. Have free ice cream. D. Visit the Presidio district.
3.What are tourists required to do to go on Holiday Lights Tour?
A. Take some drinks. B. Set off early in the morning.
C. Wear warm clothes. D. Make reservations in advance.
听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1.How many beaches are in the San Diego area?
A. Seven. B. Fifteen. C. More than one hundred.
2.What can you find at Scripps Pier?
A. Many surfers. B. A statue of dolphin. C. A marine science university.
3.Where are the rides?
A. At Mission Beach. B. At Coronado Beach. C. At Black’s Beach.
4.What is true about Imperial Beach?
A. It’s next to Mexico.
B. It’s the best beach for diving.
C. It’s one of the top ten beaches in San Diego.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.What does the woman ask the man to do?
A. Throw away her sofa.
B. Clean her living room.
C. Help her move something.
2.Why is Jack giving the woman his sofa?
A. It’s old and dirty.
B. He’s moving abroad.
C. His new place is too small.
3.How does the man know Jack?
A. They’re neighbors.
B. They’re co-workers.
C. They’re classmates.
4.What is the man hoping will happen?
A. He’ll get a new truck.
B. Jack will give him some furniture.
C. He’ll find a place with a great view.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.What is on the man’s web page?
A. All the lecture notes. B. The students’ grades. C. A list of all assignments.
2.When does the man suggest the woman read each chapter?
A. Before class. B. During class. C. After class.
3.What does the man think is the most important?
A. Having confidence. B. Being prepared. C. Answering questions.
