Question

Bum rate is the speed at which a startup business consumes money. My rate would be $ 50,000 a month when my new media company started. So, I began looking around for individuals who would be my first investors. “Angel money” it was called. But when I reviewed my list of acquaintances to find those who might be able to help, I found the number got small.

　　With no other choices, I began meeting with the venture-capital companies. But I was warned they took a huge share of your company for the money they put in. And if you struggled, they could drop you cold.

　　As I was searching for “angel money”, I started to build a team who trusted me even though I didn't have money for paychecks yet.

　　Bill Becker was an expert in computer programming and image processing at a very famous Media Lab at M. I.T. With his arrival, my company suddenly had a major technology “guy” in-house.

　　Katherine Henderson, a filmmaker and a former real-estate dealer, joined us as our director of market research. Steve White came on as operating officer. He had worked for the developer of a home-finance software, Quicken. We grabbed him.

　　We had some really good people, but we still didn't have enough money. One night, my neighbor, Louise Johnson, came for a visit. She and I were only nodding acquaintances, but her boys and ours were constant companions. She ran a very good business at the time.

　　Louise was brilliant and missed nothing. She had been watching my progress closely. She knew I was dying for money and I had prospects but could offer no guarantees of success.

　　She told me that her attorney had talked to mine and the terms had been agreed upon. She handed me an envelope. Inside was a check for $ 500,000.

　　I almost fell down. I heard her voice as if from heaven.

　　“I have confidence in your plan,” she said. “You' 11 do well. You're going to work hard for it, but it' s satisfying when you build your own company.”

　　Who would have thought I'd find an angel so close to home? There were no words sufficient for the moment. We just said good night. She left and I just stood there, completely humbled and completely committed.

1.For a newly-established business, bum rate refers to___________.

A. the salary it pays to its staff　         B. the interest it pays to the bank

C. the way in which it raises capital　  　 D. the speed at which it spends money

2.By "Angel money", the author refers to__________.

A. the money borrowed from banks　  　 B. the money spent to promote sales

C. the money raised from close friends　　 D. the money needed to start a business

3.To get help from a venture-capital company, you may have to__________.

put up with unfair terms　         　B. change your business line

C. enlarge your business scope      　　 D. let them operate your business

4.The author easily built a team for his company because__________.

A. they were underpaid at their previous jobs

B. they were turned down by other companies

C. they were confident of the author and his business

D. they were satisfied with the salaries in his company

5. Louise decided to lend money to the author because__________.

A. she wanted to join his company

B. she knew he would build a team

C. she knew his plan would succeed

D. she wanted to help promote his sales

Answer

1.D

2.D

3.A

4.C

5.C

【解析】

试题分析：“燃烧速率”是指一家刚起步的公司花钱的速度。 当我的新媒体公司刚创立的时候燃烧速率是每个月50，000美元。 因此，我开始四下寻找可能成为我的第一批投资者，得到的投资被称为“赞助资金”。 但是当我考虑在我认识的人中有谁能帮我时，我发现寥寥无几。

在我寻找“赞助资金”的同时我开始建立自己的团队。我们有很棒的员工，但是我们的钱不够。 一天晚上，我的邻居露易丝来访. 那时她的事业正如火如荼。露易丝一直在密切关注我的公司。 她知道我非常需要钱，而且还知道我很有希望，但是不能保证一定能成功。她递给我一个信封，里面是一张50万美元的支票。 谁会想到我会在家门口找到赞助人?  

1. 细节理解题。文章第一段第一句话：Bum rate is the speed at which a startup business consumes money. （“燃烧速率”是指一家刚起步的公司花钱的速度.）故选D。

2.推理判断题。“angel money”出现在文章第一段第四句。由其前面的一句话可知这笔钱是第一批投资商投入的资金，此时公司刚刚成立，从而可判断“angel money”是用来创业的. 故选D。

3. 推理判断题。从文章第二段第二句话“…they took a huge share of your company for the money they put in．（他们会因为投资而拿走你公司的一大股。）”可知，投资公司会拿走公司相当大的一部分股份，这种交易当然是不公平的。 故选A。

4.推理判断题。文章第三段： 我开始组建由信任我组成的团队，即使我没钱付给他们工资。由此可见，团队成员都对作者及其创办的公司很有信心，才会不计后果地给他做事。 故选C。

5.细节理解题。文章第七段至第十段大意：Louise很聪明，并且不会错过任何机会。她一直在密切关注我的公司。 她知道我非常需要钱，而且还知道我很有希望，但是不能保证一定能成功。第十段“我对你的计划有信心，”她说.“你会做得很好。 你得为之努力奋斗，但是建立自己的公司是一件很令人满足的事情。”。 由此可知，Louise认为作者的公司很有希望才借钱给作者。故选C。

考点：故事类阅读。