Question

    We spend 40 hours of our adult lives a week working, not including the time to and from the office. So it’s no surprise we become really good friends with our colleagues. We spend most of our time with them, after all. But times have changed and the way we talk to one another is ever-developing.

Now, many companies have internal instant messaging systems so that there’s less need to get up and walk round to speak to our colleagues. Emails fly around with numerous teams copied in, so everyone is in the loop (圈子). But what is the value of face-to-face conversation in the workplace?

New Zealand’s most admired wine brand. Villa Maria, knows the importance of conversation and how good communication can help strengthen a business from the inside out. Its newly launched campaign, called the Value of Conversation, explores what British people value the most about a face-to-face chat and how engaging with each other in person can make a difference in all areas of their lives.

Although nearly 1 in 5 British people find a quick email more efficient in their work, they still value the importance of speaking to their colleagues in real life and hearing their ideas, taking away any uncertainty and giving the opportunity for discussion. This is perhaps why, despite mostly preferring emails, nearly three-quarters of British people believe that speaking to people directly leads to better communication and improving work results.

Obviously, 85% of the people at the age of 18-24 believe that if someone is positive and confident during face-to-face conversations, it’s an indicator that they’re good at their job. So perhaps putting in a little extra effort to face-to-face conversations will pay dividends. If having a conversation in person could help you keep a pay rise, then it’ll be worth.

1.What makes the ways of the communication among office colleagues change?

A.The order from their bosses. B.The laziness of the colleagues

C.The convenience of using emails. D.The preference to doing work alone.

2.What is Villa Maria’s attitude towards face-to-face communication?

A.Doubtful. B.Positive.

C.Negative. D.Sympathetic.

3.Why do many British people still like speaking to others directly while working?

A.It can improve the relationship with others.

B.It can save them much time.

C.It can make people communicate more easily than sending emails.

D.It can contribute to better communication and improving work results.

4.What does the underlined phrase “pay dividends” in paragraph 5 mean?

A.Get rewards. B.Pay salaries.

C.Learn lessons. D.End relationships.

Answer

1.C

2.B

3.D

4.A

【解析】

这是一篇说明文。时代变了，我们和同事彼此交流的方式也在不断发展。一项名为“交谈的价值”的活动结果表明，尽管大多数人喜欢电子邮件，但近四分之三的英国人认为，直接与人交谈有助于更好的沟通和改善工作结果。所以面对面交谈更有价值。

1.推理判断题。根据第二段中Now, many companies have internal instant messaging systems so that there’s less need to get up and walk round to speak to our colleagues. 现在，许多公司都有内部即时通讯系统，这样就不需要站起来四处走动和同事说话了。可知，即时通讯系统改变了办公室同事间的交流方式。故选C项。

2.推理判断题。根据第三段中Villa Maria, knows the importance of conversation and how good communication can help strengthen a business from the inside out.维拉•玛丽亚深知交谈的重要性，并深知良好的沟通能帮助企业从内到外发展壮大。可知作者用新西兰最受赞赏的葡萄酒品牌，Villa Maria举例来说明对话的重要性，因此可以推断Villa Maria对待面对面交流持积极的态度。故选B项。

3.细节理解题。根据第四段中Although nearly 1 in 5 British people find a quick email more efficient in their work, they still value the importance of speaking to their colleagues in real life and hearing their ideas, taking away any uncertainty and giving the opportunity for discussion.尽管近五分之一的英国人认为工作中的快速电子邮件更有效率，但他们仍然重视在现实生活中与同事交谈、倾听他们的想法、消除任何不确定因素并提供讨论机会的重要性。可知，工作过程中直接面对面沟通有助于更好的沟通和提高工作成果。故选D项。

4.词义猜测题。根据最后一段So perhaps putting in a little extra effort to face-to-face conversations will pay dividends. If having a conversation in person could help you keep a pay rise, then it’ll be worth. 所以，也许在面对面的交谈中多付出一点努力会有回报。如果面对面的交谈能帮你保持加薪，那么这是值得的。可知，与 be worth意思一致，说明有多一点付出会收获回报，因此推断划线词的意思是“得到回报”。故选A项。