Question

    Decision-making can be extremely difficult. Decision-making styles are significantly different in different cultures.

In any approach to a problem and in any negotiations, the Western world turns to the "I to you" approach while Japan, the "you to you" approach. The former means both sides present their arguments openly from their own point of view. Naturally, often comes a confrontation (冲突) situation, which Westerners are very skillful in dealing with. The latter is based on each side trying to understand the other person's point of view. Thus, the direction of the meeting is a mutual (相互的) attempt to reduce confrontation and achieve harmony.

Besides, Western decision-making goes mostly from top management and often does not consult middle management or the worker. However, in Japan great consideration is given to the thoughts and opinions of everyone at all levels. Based on "bottom-up direction", ideas can be created at the lowest levels, travel upward through an organization and have an effect on the final decision.

Difference in decision-making also comes from different communication styles. The Japanese business person works to achieve harmony, even if the deal fails, and will spend whatever time is necessary to determine a "you to you" approach, communicating personal views only indirectly. They put a thorough job above the Western deadline approach. So the Japanese are thorough in their meetings. Thus Americans are often annoyed by the many meetings in many Japanese businesses. But where the American is pressing for a specific decision, the Japanese is trying to think up a rather broad direction.

On the other hand, once a given agreement is made, it is the Japanese who sometimes wonder at the slow pace in which Westerners carry out the decision. The Japanese are eager to move forward and Westerners, perhaps, lag behind as they take the time for in-depth planning.

1.A Japanese business bases its decision            .

A.on top-down direction B.on nothing but its workers' views

C.on bottom-up direction D.only on its top leaders' opinions

2.The text mainly tells us that Japan and the Western world            .

A.face great difficulty in making decisions

B.are different in decision-making styles

C.have all members contribute to a decision

D.have two approaches:"I to you" and "you to I"

3.Which of the following is TRUE of the Westerners?

A.They carry out the decision once it is made.

B.There are many meetings in their businesses.

C.They work to achieve harmony in doing business.

D.They are good at handling confrontation situation.

4.The author's attitude towards Japanese decision-making is       .

A.positive B.critical

C.negative D.casual

Answer

1.C

2.B

3.D

4.A

【解析】

这是一篇说明文。文章主要介绍了日本和西方世界决策风格的差异。

1.细节理解题。根据第三段的However, in Japan great consideration is given to the thoughts and opinions of everyone at all levels. Based on "bottom-up direction", ideas can be created at the lowest levels, travel upward through an organization and have an effect on the final decision. (然而，在日本，人们很重视各个阶层的思想和意见。基于“自下而上的方向”，思想可以在最底层次上产生，向上传递到组织中，对最终的决策产生影响)可知，一家日本企业的决策基于自下而上的方向。C. on bottom-up direction (自下而上的决策)符合以上说法，故选C项。

2.主旨大意题。根据全文内容，尤其是文章第一段Decision-making can be extremely difficult. Decision-making styles are significantly different in different cultures. (做决定是非常困难的。决策风格在不同文化中有很大差异)可知，本文主要介绍的是日本和西方世界决策风格的差异。B. are different in decision-making styles (在决策风格上是不同的)符合以上说法，故选B项。

3.细节理解题。根据第二段的Naturally, often comes a confrontation situation, which Westerners are very skillful in dealing with. (自然，经常会有一个冲突的情况，西方人非常擅长处理)可知，西方人在处理冲突方面很擅长。D. They are good at handling confrontation situation. (他们擅长处理冲突情况)符合以上说法，故选D项。

4.推理判断题。根据第二段的Thus, the direction of the meeting is a mutual (相互的) attempt to reduce confrontation and achieve harmony. (因此，会议是一个可以减少冲突、实现和谐的共同尝试)和最后一段的The Japanese are eager to move forward and Westerners, perhaps, lag behind as they take the time for in-depth planning. (日本人渴望前进，而西方人可能因为花时间进行深入规划而落在后面)可推断，作者对日本的决策方式持肯定的态度。A. positive (赞成的)符合以上推测，故选A项。