Some developed countries in the world have begun to shorten working hours. Japan, on the other hand, has been in the culture of overwork. The problem is so severe that the country has even created a term for it: karoshi, which means death by overwork from stress-induced illnesses or severe depression. If the system of four-day workweek is tested in Japan, what will happen?
A growing number of smaller companies are adopting a four-day workweek. Now the results of a recent trial at Microsoft (MSFT) suggest it could work even for the biggest businesses.
The company introduced a program this summer in Japan called the “Work Life Choice Challenge,” which shut down its offices every Friday in August and gave all employees an extra day off each week.
The results were promising: While the amount of time spent on work was cut dramatically, productivity — measured by sales per employee — went up by almost 40% compared to the same period the previous year, the company said in a statement last week.
In addition to reducing working hours, managers urged the staff to cut down on the time they spent in meetings and responding to emails.
They suggested that meetings should last no longer than 30 minutes. Employees were also encouraged to cut down on meetings altogether by using an online messaging app (Microsoft’s, of course).
The effects were widespread. More than 90% of Microsoft’s 2,280 employees in Japan later said they were impacted by the new measures, according to the company. By shutting down earlier each week, the company was also able to save on other resources, such as electricity.
1.Why is the idea four-day workweek tested in Japan?
A.Because overwork has caused serious problems.
B.Because the offices must be shut down on Friday.
C.Because the staff can get extra days to rest easily.
D.Because smaller companies have taken the measure.
2.What’s the result of adopting a four-day workweek?
A.It is a waste of energy.
B.The workers earned less money.
C.The working efficiency increases greatly.
D.Japan’s unemployment rate is barely rising.
3.How can the time the staff spent on meetings be reduced?
A.By cancelling meetings.
B.By using emails to respond.
C.By cutting down working hours.
D.By using a certain online messaging app.
4.What is the staff’s attitude to the new measures?
A.Supportive. B.Negative. C.Critical. D.Indifferent.
Among the more colorful characters of Leadville’s golden age was H.A.W. Tabor. His history is fast becoming one of the legends of the Old West. Perhaps he was lured by rumors of fortunes to be made in Colorado mines. A few years later he moved west to the small Colorado mining camp known as California Gulch. “Great deposits of lead(铅) are sure to be found here.” he said.
Tabor opened a store, which sold everything from boots to salt, flour, and tobacco. It was his custom to “grubstake” miners, in other words, to supply them with food and supplies while they looked for ore (矿石), in return for which he would get a share in the mine if one was discovered.
One day in 1878, two miners came in and asked for “grub”. Tabor had decided to quit supplying it because he had lost too much money that way. These were continued, however, and Tabor was too busy to argue with them. “Oh help yourself. One more time won’t make any difference,” He said and went on selling shoes and hats to other customers. The two miners took $17 worth of supplies, in return for which they gave Tabor a one-third interest in their findings. They picked wasteland on the mountain side and began to dig. After nine days they struck silver. Tabor bought the shares of the other two men, and so the mine belonged to him alone. This mine, known as the “Pittsburgh Mine,” made 1,300,000 for Tabor in return for his $17 investment.
Later Tabor bought the Matchless Mine for $117,000. This turned out to be even more incredible than the Pittsburgh, yielding $35,000 worth of silver per day at one time. Leadville grew. Tabor became its first mayor, and later became vice-governor of the state.
1.Tabor went to Colorado ________.
A.to seek fortune B.to sell supplies
C.to open a mine company D.to look for ore
2.What is Tabor’s custom in his shop?
A.Sharing wasteland with miners.
B.Helping the miners to look for ore.
C.Supplying everything to miners for free.
D.Exchanging items for minerals interests with miners.
3.Why didn’t Tabor give up the “grub” with the two miners?
A.Because he was specialized in business.
B.Because they insisted on making a deal with him.
C.Because the other customers prevented him then.
D.Because he had earned too much money before.
4.What is the intention of the passage?
A.To introduce Tabor’s successful experience.
B.To encourage people to start a business.
C.To discuss Tabor’s life planning.
D.To tell of the gold rush.
The Garden of Dreams was the peaceful site in Kathmandu, Nepal. The four-acre Garden of Dreams was designed by landscape architect Kishore Narshingh. Most especially, the site was characterized by six pavilions, which symbolized the “six seasons” of Nepal: spring, early summer, the summer monsoon season, early autumn, late autumn, and winter. In its most powerful time, the garden was considered one of the most remarkable feats of landscape design in the country.
Today, visitors will only find three pavilions on just over an acre of land, but the 74,000 square-foot space remains a fresh and green attraction. Through the garden’s original gates are pretty and old-fashioned fountains and ponds, isolated gardens of varying sizes, and the Kaiser Café Restaurant & Bar. Pathways are lined with grass, trees, and flowers from all over the world.
While the Garden of Dreams has been transformed into a public space, it remains a quiet and peaceful escape in the center of Kathmandu, and a popular hangout for sunbathers, wanderers, residents, and tourists alike.
Know Before You Go
The Garden of Dreams is open daily from 9 a.m. until 10 p.m. It’s located in the Kaiser Mahal complex in the busy Thamel neighborhood of Kathmandu. Admission to the garden costs Rs. 200 per person for tourists and Rs. 100 for Nepali residents. Wifi is available throughout the garden for Rs. 50 an hour.
1.Which item can tourists enjoy in the Garden of Dreams now?
A.Six seasons there.
B.A feast with plentiful meals.
C.Beautiful gardens of different sizes.
D.Fishing in the pretty and old-fashioned ponds.
2.What is the admission for a local of Nepal and a foreign tourist?
A.Rs.350. B.Rs.300. C.Rs.200. D.Rs.100.
3.Which of the following can be the best title for the passage?
A.A Trip to Nepal
B.The Garden of Dreams
C.Nepal, A Beautiful Country
D.A Country with Six Seasons
听下面一段独白，回答以下小题。
1.What does this text mainly talk about?
A.North America. B.Pets. C.Health.
2.What are the two most popular pets?
A.Dogs and cats. B.Dogs and birds. C.Birds and fish.
3.Why are people with pets healthier than those without pets?
A.Because pets can make people feel good.
B.Because pets are healthier than human beings.
C.Because people with pets may often feel lonely.
4.How do people treat their pets in North America?
A.They treat their pets like friends.
B.They don’t let their pets sleep in their beds.
C.They treat them like members of their own family.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.What is a daypack?
A.box. B.A bag. C.A lock.
2.What surprises the girl at school?
A.A lot of discussions in class.
B.Teachers giving little homework.
C.Few students asking questions in class.
3.At what time of the term might the conversation take place?
A.At the end of it. B.In the middle of it. C.At the beginning of it.
4.What do we know about the girl?
A.She is new to the school.
B.She seldom asks questions in class.
C.She writes for the school newspaper.
听下面一段较长对话，回答以下小题。
1.How long has the man been in London?
A.One year. B.A few years. C.A couple of months.
2.Why did the woman leave her hometown?
A.To lead a city life. B.To open a restaurant. C.To find a job.
3.Where did the woman come from?
A.London. B.Arnside. C.Lancaster.
