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Directions: Write an essay of 160-200 words based on the following picture. In your essay, you shou...
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Directions:Inthispartyouaretowriteanessayof160—200
Directions: Studythepictureabovecarefullyandwrite
PartB Directions: Youarerequiredtowriteanessayont
Directions:Studythepictureabovecarefullyandwritean
Directions:Writeanessayof160-200wordsbasedonthefo
Directions:Studythepictureabovecarefullyandwritean
Directions: Writeanessayof160-200wordsbasedonthef
Directions: Studythepicturesabovecarefullyandwrit
Directions:Studythepicturesabovecarefullyandwritea
Directions:Studythepictureabovecarefullyandwritean
Directions: Studythepictureabovecarefullyandwrite
Directions:Studythepictureabovecarefullyandwritean
Directions: Studythepictureabovecarefullyandwrite
Directions:Writeanessayof160-200wordsbasedonthefo
Directions: Youarerequiredtowriteanessayoffthetop
Directions:Writeanessayof160-200wordsbasedonthefo
Directions:Studythetwopicturesabovecarefullyandwri
Directions:Studythepictureabovecarefullyandwritean
Directions:Writeanessayof160-200wordsbasedonthefol
Directions:Studythepictureabovecarefullyandwritean
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InFranceasinmanyEuropeancountriesfriendsgenerallyareofthesamesexandfriendshipisseenasbasicallyarelationshipbetweenmen.41_______. AndmanyFrenchpeopledoubtthepossibilityofafriendshipbetweenamanandawoman.Thereisalsothekindofrelationshipwithinagroup-menandwomenwhohaveworkedtogetherforalongtimewhomaybeveryclosesharinggreatloyaltyandwarmthoffeeling.Theymaycalloneanother-copains-awordthatinEnglishbecomes"friends"buthasmorethefeelingof"pals"or"buddies".InFrencheyesthisisnotfriendshipalthoughtwomembersofsuchagroupmaywellbefriends. FortheFrenchfriendshipisone-to-onerelationshipthatdemandsakeenawarenessoftheotherperson’sintellecttemperamentandparticularinterests.42________. Yourpoliticalphilosophyassumesmoredepthappreciationofaplaybecomessharpertasteinfoodorwineisenhancedenjoymentofasportisintensified. AndFrenchfriendshipsaredividedintocategories.Amanmayplaychesswithafriendforthirtyyearswithoutknowinghispoliticalopinionorhemaytalkpoliticswithhimforalongtimewithoutknowingabouthispersonallife.Differentfriendsfilldifferentnichesineachperson’slife.43____Thesedutiesalsoseriousandrequiredareprimarilyforrelatives.Menwhoarefriendsmaymeetinacaf6.Intellectualfriendsmaymeetinlargegroupsforeveningsofconversation.Workingpeoplemaymeetatthelittlebistrowheretheydrinkandtalkfarfromthefamily.44______. InthepastinFrancefriendshipsofthiskindseldomwereopentoanybutintellectualwomen.45______.ThespecialrelationshipoffriendshipisbasedonwhattheFrenchvaluemost-onthemindonhavingthesameoutlookonvividaawarenessofsomechosenareaoflife. [A]Thesefriendshipsarenotmadepartoffamilylife.Afriendisnotexpectedtospendeveningsbeingnicetochildrenorcourteoustoadeafgrandmother. [B]AFrenchmanexplains"IfIweretosaytoyouinFrance’Thisismygoodfriend’thatpersonwouldnotbeasclosetomeassomeoneaboutwhomIsaidonly’Thisismyfriend.’AnyoneaboutwhomIhavetosaymoreisreallyless." [C]Sincemostwomen’slivescenteredontheirhomestheirwarmestrelationswithotherwomenoftenwentbacktotheirgirlhood. [D]Marriagedoesnotaffectsuchfriendship;wivesdon’thavetobetakenintoaccount. [E]Frenchwomenlaughattheideathat"womencan’tbefriends"buttheyalsoadmitsometimesthatforwomen"itisadifferentthing". [F]BetweenFrenchfriendswhohavechoseneachotherforthesimilarityoftheirpointofviewlivelydisagreementandsharpnessofargumentarethebreathoflife. [G]Afriendissomeonewhodrawsoutyourownbestqualitieswithwhomyousparkleandbecomemoreofwhateverthefriendshipdrawsupon. 45
Text1 AftertheterroristattacksinAmericalastSeptemberterroristriskbecamethepariahofperils.Theairlineindustrywasmostdirectlyaffectedbytheattacksanditwasthefirsttofindthatnoonewantedtoinsureterroristrisk.Insurancecompaniesimmediatelyincreasedpremiumsandcutcoverforairlines’third-partyterrorandwarliabilitiesto$50mperairlineper"event".UnderpressurefromairlinestheAmericangovernmentandthemembersoftheEuropeanUnionagreedtobecomeinsurersoflastresortforairlines’warandterroristliabilitiesforalimitedperiod.Thesegovernmentguaranteesareduetoexpireattheendofthemonth. TheAmericangovernmenthasalreadyagreedtoextenditsguaranteeforanother60days.TheEU’stransportministersaremeetingnextweekinBrusselstodecidewhattodo.Insurersandre-insurersarekeenforthecommercialmarkettoresumetheprovisionofallairlineinsuranceassoonaspossible.Nowonder:Thepremiumsforsuchcoverhaveinevitablyincreasedconsiderably. Howeverinthecaseofterrorismandespeciallyofterrorismintheskiesanumberofspecialfactorsarise.Somearepurelypractical:adisasterassuddenandunforeseenastheattacksontheWorldTradeCenterhashaddestructiveeffectsontheinsuranceindustry.Themaximumcoverforthird-partyterroristriskavailableintheprimaryaviationmarketisnow$50mandthatisnotnearlyenoughcoverrisksthatareperceivedtobemuchhighersinceSeptemberllth.Evenifthemarketcouldoffersufficientcoveranothercatastropheonsuchascalewouldbemorethanthemarketcouldcopewith. Inadditionarareanddevastatingriskofapoliticalnatureisarguablyonethatitisrightforgovernmentstocoveratleastinpart.InthewakeofattacksbyIrishterroriststheBritishgovernmenthasrecognizedthispointbyagreeingtobackamutualfundtocoverriskstopropertyfromterroristattack. Inthecaseoftheairlinestheappropriateanswerissomeformofmutualschemewithgovernmentbacking.Infactunderthecode-name"Equitime"representativesofairlinesinsurersandtheAmericangovernmentaresettingupaninsurancevehicletobefinancedbyairlinesandreinsuredbythegovernment.Governmentswouldguaranteethefund’sexcessriskbuttheirrolewoulddiminishasthefundgrew. SettingsomethingupwilltaketimeSotobridgethegapgovernmentswillhavetoremaininsureroflastresortforairlines’warandterroristriskforsometimetocome. Whenmentioning$50mperairlineper'event'Paragraph1thewriteristalkingabout
ThediscoverylastweekofpossibleevidenceoflifeonMarshaselectrifieddebateoverwhethertheuniverseisabarrenvoidoranurserypregnantwithlife. Scientistswhohavecomestunninglyclosetorepeatinggenesisortheoriginoflifeinatesttubesaythebuildingblocksforlifeexisteverywhere.Thechallengeisputtingthemtogether.46"Theoriginoflifeisarelativelyeasyconceptandthere’sawidevarietyofconditionsunderwhichitwilltakeplace"saidlateStanleyMilleraprofessorattheUniversityofCaliforniaandapioneerinthefield."PerhapstheremarkablethingisthateventhoughMarsisnotafavorableenvironmenttheoriginoflifetookplace." Astronomershavefoundthatthesamegasespresentinoursolarsystemarepresentthroughouttheuniverse. 47EffortstomakemicroscopiclifefromthesebasicelementsonEarthsuggeststhechanceoflifearisingundersimilarcircumstancesisthesameeverywheresaychemistsbiologistsandotherexperts. "Itseemsfairlylikelythatlifesimilartooursifthereiswateravailable’"wouldevolveinotherenvironmentsinourgalaxyorouruniverse"saidJamesFerrisaleadingresearcherandeditorofthejournal"OriginsofLifeandEvolutionoftheBiosphere." Underlyingmuchoftheresearchisthequestion..WasthedevelopmentoflifeonEarthuniqueordidtheuniverse’schemicalelementsnaturallyevolveintolife48Theanswerappearstobethatatleastthechemicalreactionsthatsetthestageforearlylifewouldbesimilareverywherebutresultantlivingorganismswoulddifferbecauseofthegeneticmutationsinevolution. "Ifyou’vegotthesamestartingmaterialsandthesameconditionsyou’regoingtogettheamecompoundsthat’sforsure"Millersaid."Therealquestioniswhetherornottherearechanceelementsintheformationoflife." 49Ina1953experimentMillermixedbasicgasesapproximatingtheEarth’searlyatmospherewithanelectricchargeinsideaglasschamberandproducedaminoacidsaprimitivebuildingblockoflife.Hethensuggestedthatlifewasanaturalevolution.Itseemedthatsciencewasonthevergeofconjuringupcreationsinthelaboratorybutthenext43yearsweretopresentunexpectedchallenges. 50"Makingtheaminoacidsmadeitseemliketherestofthestepswouldbeveryeasy;it’sturnedouttobemoredifficultthanIthoughtitwouldbe"Millersaidinaninterview. 47EffortstomakemicroscopiclifefromthesebasicelementsonEarthsuggeststhechanceoflifearisingundersimilarcircumstancesisthesameeverywheresaychemistsbiologistsandotherexperts.
Entertheinformationage.Informationistherawmaterialformanyofthebusinessactivitiesshapingthisnewera1ironandsteelwerethebasiccommoditiesinthedawningoftheindustrialage. Theworld’sknowledgeissaidtobedoubling2eightyears.Thisknowledgeexplosionis3economicprogress.Theneedtocollectanalyzeandcommunicate4quantitiesofinformationisSpawningnewproductsandservicescreatingjobsandwideningcareeropportunities. Theinformationageis5consideredtobeaphenomenonoftheservicesectoroftheeconomy6aproductofheavyindustry.Certainlyburgeoninginformationtechnologiesarecreatingnewcapabilities7knowledge-basedservicespheres.Butchangesjustasdramaticare8industrygivingpeopletheopportunitytodochallengingworkinexcitingnewways. Manufacturingisafullparticipantintheinformationage.Fromdesign9productionthemanufacturingprocesshaslongbeeninformation-intensive.Italwayshasrequiredexactingcommunicationtodescribe10goesintoproductsandhowtomakethemNowcomputertechnologyisgivingfactorymanagersnewcapabilitytogatherallofthisinformationand11ittocontrolproduction. Telecommunicationsareproducingerror-freecommunicationbetweenthedesignoffice12thefactorycomputer-aideddesignisenablingengineerstoevaluateproductperformanceandmanufacturingprocess13videodisplaysbeforeresourcesarecommittedtobuildandtestprototypes.Techniqueslikethesearebringing14newadvancesinmanufacturingproductivity. Justascoalfueledthetransformationtoanindustrialsociety15microelectronicsispoweringtheriseoftheinformationage.Microelectronicinformation-managementtoolsarestrengtheningU.S.industrialcapability16remainsvitaltoAmerica’seconomicwellbeingandnationalsecurity. Moreandmoremanufacturingcompaniesare17thatthewiseofinformationcangivethemacompetitiveedge.Ascompaniesemphasize18informationmanagementtalentedpeoplewillcontinuetofind19tomakefactoriesandmilkssingwithincreasedproductivity. Inmanufacturingaswellasinservicesinformationtechnologyisatoolto20humancreativityintoproductivity. 1
Entertheinformationage.Informationistherawmaterialformanyofthebusinessactivitiesshapingthisnewera1ironandsteelwerethebasiccommoditiesinthedawningoftheindustrialage. Theworld’sknowledgeissaidtobedoubling2eightyears.Thisknowledgeexplosionis3economicprogress.Theneedtocollectanalyzeandcommunicate4quantitiesofinformationisSpawningnewproductsandservicescreatingjobsandwideningcareeropportunities. Theinformationageis5consideredtobeaphenomenonoftheservicesectoroftheeconomy6aproductofheavyindustry.Certainlyburgeoninginformationtechnologiesarecreatingnewcapabilities7knowledge-basedservicespheres.Butchangesjustasdramaticare8industrygivingpeopletheopportunitytodochallengingworkinexcitingnewways. Manufacturingisafullparticipantintheinformationage.Fromdesign9productionthemanufacturingprocesshaslongbeeninformation-intensive.Italwayshasrequiredexactingcommunicationtodescribe10goesintoproductsandhowtomakethemNowcomputertechnologyisgivingfactorymanagersnewcapabilitytogatherallofthisinformationand11ittocontrolproduction. Telecommunicationsareproducingerror-freecommunicationbetweenthedesignoffice12thefactorycomputer-aideddesignisenablingengineerstoevaluateproductperformanceandmanufacturingprocess13videodisplaysbeforeresourcesarecommittedtobuildandtestprototypes.Techniqueslikethesearebringing14newadvancesinmanufacturingproductivity. Justascoalfueledthetransformationtoanindustrialsociety15microelectronicsispoweringtheriseoftheinformationage.Microelectronicinformation-managementtoolsarestrengtheningU.S.industrialcapability16remainsvitaltoAmerica’seconomicwellbeingandnationalsecurity. Moreandmoremanufacturingcompaniesare17thatthewiseofinformationcangivethemacompetitiveedge.Ascompaniesemphasize18informationmanagementtalentedpeoplewillcontinuetofind19tomakefactoriesandmilkssingwithincreasedproductivity. Inmanufacturingaswellasinservicesinformationtechnologyisatoolto20humancreativityintoproductivity. 17
InFranceasinmanyEuropeancountriesfriendsgenerallyareofthesamesexandfriendshipisseenasbasicallyarelationshipbetweenmen.41_______. AndmanyFrenchpeopledoubtthepossibilityofafriendshipbetweenamanandawoman.Thereisalsothekindofrelationshipwithinagroup-menandwomenwhohaveworkedtogetherforalongtimewhomaybeveryclosesharinggreatloyaltyandwarmthoffeeling.Theymaycalloneanother-copains-awordthatinEnglishbecomes"friends"buthasmorethefeelingof"pals"or"buddies".InFrencheyesthisisnotfriendshipalthoughtwomembersofsuchagroupmaywellbefriends. FortheFrenchfriendshipisone-to-onerelationshipthatdemandsakeenawarenessoftheotherperson’sintellecttemperamentandparticularinterests.42________. Yourpoliticalphilosophyassumesmoredepthappreciationofaplaybecomessharpertasteinfoodorwineisenhancedenjoymentofasportisintensified. AndFrenchfriendshipsaredividedintocategories.Amanmayplaychesswithafriendforthirtyyearswithoutknowinghispoliticalopinionorhemaytalkpoliticswithhimforalongtimewithoutknowingabouthispersonallife.Differentfriendsfilldifferentnichesineachperson’slife.43____Thesedutiesalsoseriousandrequiredareprimarilyforrelatives.Menwhoarefriendsmaymeetinacaf6.Intellectualfriendsmaymeetinlargegroupsforeveningsofconversation.Workingpeoplemaymeetatthelittlebistrowheretheydrinkandtalkfarfromthefamily.44______. InthepastinFrancefriendshipsofthiskindseldomwereopentoanybutintellectualwomen.45______.ThespecialrelationshipoffriendshipisbasedonwhattheFrenchvaluemost-onthemindonhavingthesameoutlookonvividaawarenessofsomechosenareaoflife. [A]Thesefriendshipsarenotmadepartoffamilylife.Afriendisnotexpectedtospendeveningsbeingnicetochildrenorcourteoustoadeafgrandmother. [B]AFrenchmanexplains"IfIweretosaytoyouinFrance’Thisismygoodfriend’thatpersonwouldnotbeasclosetomeassomeoneaboutwhomIsaidonly’Thisismyfriend.’AnyoneaboutwhomIhavetosaymoreisreallyless." [C]Sincemostwomen’slivescenteredontheirhomestheirwarmestrelationswithotherwomenoftenwentbacktotheirgirlhood. [D]Marriagedoesnotaffectsuchfriendship;wivesdon’thavetobetakenintoaccount. [E]Frenchwomenlaughattheideathat"womencan’tbefriends"buttheyalsoadmitsometimesthatforwomen"itisadifferentthing". [F]BetweenFrenchfriendswhohavechoseneachotherforthesimilarityoftheirpointofviewlivelydisagreementandsharpnessofargumentarethebreathoflife. [G]Afriendissomeonewhodrawsoutyourownbestqualitieswithwhomyousparkleandbecomemoreofwhateverthefriendshipdrawsupon. 41
46.Theclassicdifficultyfeltwithdemocracyarisesfromthefactthatdemocracycanneverexpressthewillofthewholepeoplebecausethereneverexistsanysuchunchangingwillatleastinanysocietythatcallitselfdemocratic.Theconceptofgovernmentofthewholepeoplebythewholepeoplemustbelookedonasbeinginthepoetryratherthanintheproseofdemocracy;thefactofproseisthatrealdemocracymeansgovernmentbysomekindofdominantmajority. 47.Andtheever-presentdangerrepeatedlyrealizedinfactisthatthisdominantmajoritymaybehavetowardthosewhoarenotofthemajorityinsuchamannerastounderminethemoralbasisoftherightofpeoplebecausetheyarepeopletohavesomeimportantsayinthesettingoftheirowncourseandinuseoftheirownfaculties.Otherformsofgovernmentmaysimilarlyfailtorespecthumanindependence.Butthereisatleastnocontradictioninthat;theunderlyingassumptionofeverykindofgovernmentbywiserandbettersisthatpeopleonthewholearenotfittomanagetheirownaffairsbutmusthavesomeoneelsedoitforthemandthereisnoparadoxwhensuchatreatsitssubjectswithoutrespectordealswiththemonthebasisoftheirhavingnorightsthatthegovernmentmusttakeintoaccount. 48.Butdemocracyaffirmsthatpeoplearefittocontrolthemselvesanditcannotliveinthesameairwiththetheorythatthereisnolimittotheextenttowhichpublicpower--eventhepowerofamajoritycaninterferewiththelivesofpeople. Rationallimitationonpoweristhereforenotacontradictiontodemocracybutisoftheveryessenceofdemocracyassuch.Othersortsofgovernmentmayimposesuchlimitationsonthemselvesasanactofgrace.49.Democracyisunderthemoraldutyoflimitingitselfbecausesuchlimitationisessentialtothesurvivalofthatrespectforhumankindwhichisinthefoundationsofdemocracy.Respectforthefreedomofallpeoplecannotofcoursebetheonlyguidefortherewouldthenbenogovernment.Delicateongoingcompromiseiswhatmustbelookedfor.50.Butdemocracyunlessitistodenyitsownmoralbasismustacceptthenecessityformakingthiscompromiseandforgivingrealweighttotheclaimsofthosewithoutthepresentlyeffectivepoliticalpowertomaketheirclaimsprevailinelections. Democracyisunderthemoraldutyoflimitingitselfbecausesuchlimitationisessentialtothesurvivalofthatrespectforhumankindwhichisinthefoundationsofdemocracy.
Entertheinformationage.Informationistherawmaterialformanyofthebusinessactivitiesshapingthisnewera1ironandsteelwerethebasiccommoditiesinthedawningoftheindustrialage. Theworld’sknowledgeissaidtobedoubling2eightyears.Thisknowledgeexplosionis3economicprogress.Theneedtocollectanalyzeandcommunicate4quantitiesofinformationisSpawningnewproductsandservicescreatingjobsandwideningcareeropportunities. Theinformationageis5consideredtobeaphenomenonoftheservicesectoroftheeconomy6aproductofheavyindustry.Certainlyburgeoninginformationtechnologiesarecreatingnewcapabilities7knowledge-basedservicespheres.Butchangesjustasdramaticare8industrygivingpeopletheopportunitytodochallengingworkinexcitingnewways. Manufacturingisafullparticipantintheinformationage.Fromdesign9productionthemanufacturingprocesshaslongbeeninformation-intensive.Italwayshasrequiredexactingcommunicationtodescribe10goesintoproductsandhowtomakethemNowcomputertechnologyisgivingfactorymanagersnewcapabilitytogatherallofthisinformationand11ittocontrolproduction. Telecommunicationsareproducingerror-freecommunicationbetweenthedesignoffice12thefactorycomputer-aideddesignisenablingengineerstoevaluateproductperformanceandmanufacturingprocess13videodisplaysbeforeresourcesarecommittedtobuildandtestprototypes.Techniqueslikethesearebringing14newadvancesinmanufacturingproductivity. Justascoalfueledthetransformationtoanindustrialsociety15microelectronicsispoweringtheriseoftheinformationage.Microelectronicinformation-managementtoolsarestrengtheningU.S.industrialcapability16remainsvitaltoAmerica’seconomicwellbeingandnationalsecurity. Moreandmoremanufacturingcompaniesare17thatthewiseofinformationcangivethemacompetitiveedge.Ascompaniesemphasize18informationmanagementtalentedpeoplewillcontinuetofind19tomakefactoriesandmilkssingwithincreasedproductivity. Inmanufacturingaswellasinservicesinformationtechnologyisatoolto20humancreativityintoproductivity. 3
Directions: A.Studythefollowingpicturecarefullyandwriteanessayin160--200words. B.YouressaymustbewrittenclearlyonANSWERSHEET2.20points C.Youressayshouldmeettherequirementsbelow: 1describethefollowingpictureandinterpretitsmeaning 2andpointoutitsimplicationsinourlife
Directions. SupposeyouareLiMing.OneweekagoIborrowedabookfromyourteacherMr.Smithwhichisveryimportanttohim.Buttoyourdisappointmentyoulostthebook.Nowyouwanttowritealetterofapologytohim.Yourlettershouldincludethefollowingpoints: 1asincereapology 2anexplanationforthetrouble 3anoffertoreplacethebook Youshouldwriteabout100wordsonANSWERSHEET2.Donotsignyourownnameattheendoftheletter.Use"LiMing"instead.Youdonotneedtowritetheaddress.10points
Entertheinformationage.Informationistherawmaterialformanyofthebusinessactivitiesshapingthisnewera1ironandsteelwerethebasiccommoditiesinthedawningoftheindustrialage. Theworld’sknowledgeissaidtobedoubling2eightyears.Thisknowledgeexplosionis3economicprogress.Theneedtocollectanalyzeandcommunicate4quantitiesofinformationisSpawningnewproductsandservicescreatingjobsandwideningcareeropportunities. Theinformationageis5consideredtobeaphenomenonoftheservicesectoroftheeconomy6aproductofheavyindustry.Certainlyburgeoninginformationtechnologiesarecreatingnewcapabilities7knowledge-basedservicespheres.Butchangesjustasdramaticare8industrygivingpeopletheopportunitytodochallengingworkinexcitingnewways. Manufacturingisafullparticipantintheinformationage.Fromdesign9productionthemanufacturingprocesshaslongbeeninformation-intensive.Italwayshasrequiredexactingcommunicationtodescribe10goesintoproductsandhowtomakethemNowcomputertechnologyisgivingfactorymanagersnewcapabilitytogatherallofthisinformationand11ittocontrolproduction. Telecommunicationsareproducingerror-freecommunicationbetweenthedesignoffice12thefactorycomputer-aideddesignisenablingengineerstoevaluateproductperformanceandmanufacturingprocess13videodisplaysbeforeresourcesarecommittedtobuildandtestprototypes.Techniqueslikethesearebringing14newadvancesinmanufacturingproductivity. Justascoalfueledthetransformationtoanindustrialsociety15microelectronicsispoweringtheriseoftheinformationage.Microelectronicinformation-managementtoolsarestrengtheningU.S.industrialcapability16remainsvitaltoAmerica’seconomicwellbeingandnationalsecurity. Moreandmoremanufacturingcompaniesare17thatthewiseofinformationcangivethemacompetitiveedge.Ascompaniesemphasize18informationmanagementtalentedpeoplewillcontinuetofind19tomakefactoriesandmilkssingwithincreasedproductivity. Inmanufacturingaswellasinservicesinformationtechnologyisatoolto20humancreativityintoproductivity. 7
Text2 TheEuropeanUnion’sBarcelonasummitwhichendedonMarch16thwasplayedoutagainsttheusualbackdropofnoisy"anti-globalisation"demonstrationsandmassivesecurity.IfnothingelsethedemonstrationsillustratedthateconomicliberalizationinEurope--themeeting’smaintopic--presentsgenuinepoliticaldifficulties.Influentialsectionsofpublicopinioncontinuetoopposeanythingthattheyimaginethreatens"socialEurope"theidealofacradle-to-gravewelfarestate. InthisclimateofpublicopinionitisnotsurprisingthattheoutcomeinBarcelonawasmodest.ThetotemicissuewasopeningupEurope’senergymarkets.TheFrenchgovernmenthasfoughthardtopreserveaprotectedmarketathome{oritsstate-ownednationalchampionElectricitedeFranceEDF.AtBarcelonaitmadeawell-flaggedtacticalretreat.Thesummiteersconcludedthatfrom2004industrialusersacrossEuropewouldbeabletochoosefromcompetingenergysupplierswhichshouldaccountfor"atleast"600%ofthemarket. SinceEurope’senergymarketisworth350billion$309Billionayearandaffectsjustabouteverybusinessthisisabreakthrough.Buteventheenergydealhasdisappointingaspects.Confiningcompetitiontobusinessusersmakesithardertoshowthateconomicliberalizationisthefriendratherthanthefoeoftheordinaryperson.ItalsoallowsEDFtokeepitsmonopolyinthemostprofitablechunkoftheFrenchmarket. InotherareasespeciallytodowithEurope’stoughlabormarketstheEUisactuallygoingbackwards.Thesummiteersdeclaredthat"disincentivesagainsttakingupjobs"shouldberemoved;20mjobsshouldbecreatedwithintheEUby2010.ButonlythreedaysafteraBarcelonajamboreetheEuropeanCommissionendorsedanewlawthatwouldgivealltemporary-agencyworkersthesamerightsasfull-timerswithinsixweeksofgettingtheirfeetunderthedesk.Sixoutof20commissionersdidunusuallyvoteagainstthemeasure--ablatantpieceofre-regulation--butthesocialaffairscommissionerAnnaDiamantopoulouwasunrepentantindeedtriumphant.Adissatsifiedliberaliserinthecommissioncalledthedirective"anabsolutedisaster". Thesummit’sotherachievementsarestillmorefragile.Europe’sleaderspromisedtoincreasespendingon"researchanddevelopment"fromitscurrentfigureof1.9%ofGDPayearto3%.ButhowwillEuropeanpoliticianscompelbusinessestoinvestmoreinresearchNobodyseemstoknow.AndtheonebigresearchprojectagreedonatBarcelonatheGalileosatellite-positioningsystemwhichissupposedtocost3.2billionofpublicmoneyisofdubiouscommercialvaluesincetheEuropeansalreadyenjoyfreeaccesstotheAmericans’GPAsystem.EdwardBannermanheadofeconomicsattheCentreforEuropeanReformaBlairitethink-tankcallsGalileo"thecommonagriculturalpolicyinspace." AccordingtothosewhosupporttheliberalizationofEurope'senergymarketsenergysupplymonopolyisunlikelyonthegroundsthat
Entertheinformationage.Informationistherawmaterialformanyofthebusinessactivitiesshapingthisnewera1ironandsteelwerethebasiccommoditiesinthedawningoftheindustrialage. Theworld’sknowledgeissaidtobedoubling2eightyears.Thisknowledgeexplosionis3economicprogress.Theneedtocollectanalyzeandcommunicate4quantitiesofinformationisSpawningnewproductsandservicescreatingjobsandwideningcareeropportunities. Theinformationageis5consideredtobeaphenomenonoftheservicesectoroftheeconomy6aproductofheavyindustry.Certainlyburgeoninginformationtechnologiesarecreatingnewcapabilities7knowledge-basedservicespheres.Butchangesjustasdramaticare8industrygivingpeopletheopportunitytodochallengingworkinexcitingnewways. Manufacturingisafullparticipantintheinformationage.Fromdesign9productionthemanufacturingprocesshaslongbeeninformation-intensive.Italwayshasrequiredexactingcommunicationtodescribe10goesintoproductsandhowtomakethemNowcomputertechnologyisgivingfactorymanagersnewcapabilitytogatherallofthisinformationand11ittocontrolproduction. Telecommunicationsareproducingerror-freecommunicationbetweenthedesignoffice12thefactorycomputer-aideddesignisenablingengineerstoevaluateproductperformanceandmanufacturingprocess13videodisplaysbeforeresourcesarecommittedtobuildandtestprototypes.Techniqueslikethesearebringing14newadvancesinmanufacturingproductivity. Justascoalfueledthetransformationtoanindustrialsociety15microelectronicsispoweringtheriseoftheinformationage.Microelectronicinformation-managementtoolsarestrengtheningU.S.industrialcapability16remainsvitaltoAmerica’seconomicwellbeingandnationalsecurity. Moreandmoremanufacturingcompaniesare17thatthewiseofinformationcangivethemacompetitiveedge.Ascompaniesemphasize18informationmanagementtalentedpeoplewillcontinuetofind19tomakefactoriesandmilkssingwithincreasedproductivity. Inmanufacturingaswellasinservicesinformationtechnologyisatoolto20humancreativityintoproductivity. 9
Text1 AftertheterroristattacksinAmericalastSeptemberterroristriskbecamethepariahofperils.Theairlineindustrywasmostdirectlyaffectedbytheattacksanditwasthefirsttofindthatnoonewantedtoinsureterroristrisk.Insurancecompaniesimmediatelyincreasedpremiumsandcutcoverforairlines’third-partyterrorandwarliabilitiesto$50mperairlineper"event".UnderpressurefromairlinestheAmericangovernmentandthemembersoftheEuropeanUnionagreedtobecomeinsurersoflastresortforairlines’warandterroristliabilitiesforalimitedperiod.Thesegovernmentguaranteesareduetoexpireattheendofthemonth. TheAmericangovernmenthasalreadyagreedtoextenditsguaranteeforanother60days.TheEU’stransportministersaremeetingnextweekinBrusselstodecidewhattodo.Insurersandre-insurersarekeenforthecommercialmarkettoresumetheprovisionofallairlineinsuranceassoonaspossible.Nowonder:Thepremiumsforsuchcoverhaveinevitablyincreasedconsiderably. Howeverinthecaseofterrorismandespeciallyofterrorismintheskiesanumberofspecialfactorsarise.Somearepurelypractical:adisasterassuddenandunforeseenastheattacksontheWorldTradeCenterhashaddestructiveeffectsontheinsuranceindustry.Themaximumcoverforthird-partyterroristriskavailableintheprimaryaviationmarketisnow$50mandthatisnotnearlyenoughcoverrisksthatareperceivedtobemuchhighersinceSeptemberllth.Evenifthemarketcouldoffersufficientcoveranothercatastropheonsuchascalewouldbemorethanthemarketcouldcopewith. Inadditionarareanddevastatingriskofapoliticalnatureisarguablyonethatitisrightforgovernmentstocoveratleastinpart.InthewakeofattacksbyIrishterroriststheBritishgovernmenthasrecognizedthispointbyagreeingtobackamutualfundtocoverriskstopropertyfromterroristattack. Inthecaseoftheairlinestheappropriateanswerissomeformofmutualschemewithgovernmentbacking.Infactunderthecode-name"Equitime"representativesofairlinesinsurersandtheAmericangovernmentaresettingupaninsurancevehicletobefinancedbyairlinesandreinsuredbythegovernment.Governmentswouldguaranteethefund’sexcessriskbuttheirrolewoulddiminishasthefundgrew. SettingsomethingupwilltaketimeSotobridgethegapgovernmentswillhavetoremaininsureroflastresortforairlines’warandterroristriskforsometimetocome. Thewriterarguesthatintheforeseeablefuturetheinsureroflastresortforairline'sterroristriskwillbe
Text3 Itmayturnoutthatthe"digitaldivide"--oneofthemostfashionablepoliticalslogansofrecentyears--islargelyfiction.Asyouwillrecalltheargumentwentwellbe-yondtheunsurprisingnotionthattherichwouldownmorecomputersthanthepoor.Thedisturbingpartofthetheorywasthatsocietywasdividingitselfintogroupsoftechnology"haves"and"have-nots"andthatthissegregationwouldinturnworsenalreadylargeeconomicinequalities.Itisthisargumentthatiseitheruntrueorwildlyexaggerated. Weshouldalwayshavebeensuspicious.Afterallcomputershavespreadquicklybecausetheyhavebecomecheapertobuyandeasiertouse.Fallingpricesandskillrequirementssuggestthatthedigitaldividewouldspontaneouslyshrink--andsoithas. Nowanewstudyfurtherdiscreditsthedigitaldivide.ThestudybyeconomistsDavidCardoftheUniversityofCaliforniaBerkeleychallengesthenotionthatcomputershavesignificantlyworsenedwageinequality.Thelogicofhowthissupposedlyhappensisstraightforward:computersraisethedemandforhigh-skilledworkersincreasingtheirwages.Meanwhilecomputerization--byautomatingmanyroutinetasks--reducesthedemandforlow-skilledworkersandtherebytheirwages.Thegapbetweenthetwowidens. Superficiallywagestatisticssupportthetheory.Considertheratiobetweenworkersnearthetopofthewagedistributionandthosenearthebottom.Computerizationincreased;sodidthewagegap. ButwaitpointoutCardandDiNardo.Thetroublewithblamingcomputersisthattheworseningofinequalityoccurredprimarilyintheearly1980s.Withcomputerusegrowingthewagegapshouldhavecontinuedtoexpandifitwasbeingdrivenbyashiftingdemandforskills.IndeedCardandDiNardofindmuchdetailedevidencethatcontradictsthetheory.Theyconcludethatcomputerizationdoesnotexplain"theriseinU.S.wageinequalityinthelastquarterofthe20thcentury." Thepopularperceptionofcomputers’impactonwagesishugelyoverblown.Lotsofotherinfluencescountforasmuchormore.Theworseningofwageinequalityintheearly1980sforexamplealmostcertainlyreflectedthedeep1981-82recessionandthefallofinflation.Companiesfoundithardertoraiseprices.Tosurvivetheyconcludedthattheyhadtoholddownthewagesoftheirleastskilledleastmobileandyoungestworkers. The"digitaldivide"suggestedasimplesolutioncomputersforacomplexproblempoverty.Withmorecomputeraccessthepoorcouldescapetheirlot.Butcomputersneverwerethesourceofanyone’spovertyandasforescapingwhatpeopledoforthemselvesmattersmorethanwhattechnologycandoforthem. Theauthor'sattitudetowardtheopinionheldbyCardandDiNardoisoneof
Entertheinformationage.Informationistherawmaterialformanyofthebusinessactivitiesshapingthisnewera1ironandsteelwerethebasiccommoditiesinthedawningoftheindustrialage. Theworld’sknowledgeissaidtobedoubling2eightyears.Thisknowledgeexplosionis3economicprogress.Theneedtocollectanalyzeandcommunicate4quantitiesofinformationisSpawningnewproductsandservicescreatingjobsandwideningcareeropportunities. Theinformationageis5consideredtobeaphenomenonoftheservicesectoroftheeconomy6aproductofheavyindustry.Certainlyburgeoninginformationtechnologiesarecreatingnewcapabilities7knowledge-basedservicespheres.Butchangesjustasdramaticare8industrygivingpeopletheopportunitytodochallengingworkinexcitingnewways. Manufacturingisafullparticipantintheinformationage.Fromdesign9productionthemanufacturingprocesshaslongbeeninformation-intensive.Italwayshasrequiredexactingcommunicationtodescribe10goesintoproductsandhowtomakethemNowcomputertechnologyisgivingfactorymanagersnewcapabilitytogatherallofthisinformationand11ittocontrolproduction. Telecommunicationsareproducingerror-freecommunicationbetweenthedesignoffice12thefactorycomputer-aideddesignisenablingengineerstoevaluateproductperformanceandmanufacturingprocess13videodisplaysbeforeresourcesarecommittedtobuildandtestprototypes.Techniqueslikethesearebringing14newadvancesinmanufacturingproductivity. Justascoalfueledthetransformationtoanindustrialsociety15microelectronicsispoweringtheriseoftheinformationage.Microelectronicinformation-managementtoolsarestrengtheningU.S.industrialcapability16remainsvitaltoAmerica’seconomicwellbeingandnationalsecurity. Moreandmoremanufacturingcompaniesare17thatthewiseofinformationcangivethemacompetitiveedge.Ascompaniesemphasize18informationmanagementtalentedpeoplewillcontinuetofind19tomakefactoriesandmilkssingwithincreasedproductivity. Inmanufacturingaswellasinservicesinformationtechnologyisatoolto20humancreativityintoproductivity. 11
Text3 Itmayturnoutthatthe"digitaldivide"--oneofthemostfashionablepoliticalslogansofrecentyears--islargelyfiction.Asyouwillrecalltheargumentwentwellbe-yondtheunsurprisingnotionthattherichwouldownmorecomputersthanthepoor.Thedisturbingpartofthetheorywasthatsocietywasdividingitselfintogroupsoftechnology"haves"and"have-nots"andthatthissegregationwouldinturnworsenalreadylargeeconomicinequalities.Itisthisargumentthatiseitheruntrueorwildlyexaggerated. Weshouldalwayshavebeensuspicious.Afterallcomputershavespreadquicklybecausetheyhavebecomecheapertobuyandeasiertouse.Fallingpricesandskillrequirementssuggestthatthedigitaldividewouldspontaneouslyshrink--andsoithas. Nowanewstudyfurtherdiscreditsthedigitaldivide.ThestudybyeconomistsDavidCardoftheUniversityofCaliforniaBerkeleychallengesthenotionthatcomputershavesignificantlyworsenedwageinequality.Thelogicofhowthissupposedlyhappensisstraightforward:computersraisethedemandforhigh-skilledworkersincreasingtheirwages.Meanwhilecomputerization--byautomatingmanyroutinetasks--reducesthedemandforlow-skilledworkersandtherebytheirwages.Thegapbetweenthetwowidens. Superficiallywagestatisticssupportthetheory.Considertheratiobetweenworkersnearthetopofthewagedistributionandthosenearthebottom.Computerizationincreased;sodidthewagegap. ButwaitpointoutCardandDiNardo.Thetroublewithblamingcomputersisthattheworseningofinequalityoccurredprimarilyintheearly1980s.Withcomputerusegrowingthewagegapshouldhavecontinuedtoexpandifitwasbeingdrivenbyashiftingdemandforskills.IndeedCardandDiNardofindmuchdetailedevidencethatcontradictsthetheory.Theyconcludethatcomputerizationdoesnotexplain"theriseinU.S.wageinequalityinthelastquarterofthe20thcentury." Thepopularperceptionofcomputers’impactonwagesishugelyoverblown.Lotsofotherinfluencescountforasmuchormore.Theworseningofwageinequalityintheearly1980sforexamplealmostcertainlyreflectedthedeep1981-82recessionandthefallofinflation.Companiesfoundithardertoraiseprices.Tosurvivetheyconcludedthattheyhadtoholddownthewagesoftheirleastskilledleastmobileandyoungestworkers. The"digitaldivide"suggestedasimplesolutioncomputersforacomplexproblempoverty.Withmorecomputeraccessthepoorcouldescapetheirlot.Butcomputersneverwerethesourceofanyone’spovertyandasforescapingwhatpeopledoforthemselvesmattersmorethanwhattechnologycandoforthem. Itisgenerallybelievedthatthedigitaldivideissomething
Text4 Penny-pinchingconsumersandfiercepricewarsarebadnewsforthetravelindustry.Badthatisforeveryoneexcepttheboomingonlinetravelgiants.ConsiderthesharpreboundofsuchonlineplayersasTravelocityandExpedia.WhiletheysufferedinthewakeoftheSeptember11terroristattackswithbookingsoffasmuchas70%0intheweeksthatfollowedbusinesshassnappedback."Thespeedwithwhichthosebusinessesbouncedbacksurprisedeventhepeoplemostbullishaboutthesector"saysMitchellJ.RubinamoneymanageratNewYork-basedBaronCapitalaninvestorinonlinetravelstocks. Thetravelindustry’spainisoftentheonlineindustry’sgainassupplierspushmorediscountedairlineseatsandhotelroomstowinbackcustomers.Andmanyofthosedealsareavailableonlyonline.Atthesametimeonlineagenciesrelyprimarilyonleisuretravelerswheretraffichasreboundedmorequicklythanonthebusinessside. ThetwobiggestplayersTravelocity.ComInc.andExpediaIncarelockedincombatforthetopspot.Bothsoldsome$3billionworthoftravellastyearthoughExpediatoppedTravelocityinthefourthquarteringrossbookings.AndthanksinparttoagreateremphasisonwholesaledealswithsuppliersExpediaismoreprofitable.ForthequarterendedinDecemberExpediaposteditsfirstnetprofit$5.2millionevenwithnoncashandnonrecurringchargescomparedwithTravelocity’s$25millionloss. Theairlines’latestcost-cuttingmovesmayonlyspurtheonlinestampede.MajorcarriersareeliminatingtravelagentcommissionsintheU.S.ThatcouldleadtogrowingservicechargesforconsumersattraditionalagenciesdrivingstillmoretravelerstotheWeb.JupiterMediaMetrixispredictingthatonlinetravelsalesintheU.S.willjump29%to$31billionthisyearandto$50billionby2005.Abouthalfofthatisfromairlines’andothersuppliers’ownWebsitesbutthatstillleavesplentyofroomfortheonlineagents. Thisgrowingmarketisdrawingplentyofcompetitionandnewplayers.HotelandcarrentalfranchiserCendantCorp.snappedupCheapTicketslastOctober.BarryDiller’sUSANetworksInc.boughtacontrollingstakeinExpedia.AndagroupofhotelsincludingHiltonHotelsandHyattCorp.arelaunchingtheirownbusinessthissummertomarkethotelroomsontheNet. IsthefieldtoocrowdedAnalystsandonlineagenciesaren’tworriedfiguringthatthere’splentyofnewbusinesstogoaround.Butfornowtheclearwinnersareconsumerswhocancountonfindingbetterserviceandbetterdealsonline. ThewordbullishParagraph1isclosestinmeaningto
1yoursincerecongratulations2yourbestwishestohimorher.Youshouldwriteabout100wordsonANSWERSHEET2.Donotsignyourownnameattheendoftheletter.UseLiMinginstead.Donotwritetheaddress.
InFranceasinmanyEuropeancountriesfriendsgenerallyareofthesamesexandfriendshipisseenasbasicallyarelationshipbetweenmen.41_______. AndmanyFrenchpeopledoubtthepossibilityofafriendshipbetweenamanandawoman.Thereisalsothekindofrelationshipwithinagroup-menandwomenwhohaveworkedtogetherforalongtimewhomaybeveryclosesharinggreatloyaltyandwarmthoffeeling.Theymaycalloneanother-copains-awordthatinEnglishbecomes"friends"buthasmorethefeelingof"pals"or"buddies".InFrencheyesthisisnotfriendshipalthoughtwomembersofsuchagroupmaywellbefriends. FortheFrenchfriendshipisone-to-onerelationshipthatdemandsakeenawarenessoftheotherperson’sintellecttemperamentandparticularinterests.42________. Yourpoliticalphilosophyassumesmoredepthappreciationofaplaybecomessharpertasteinfoodorwineisenhancedenjoymentofasportisintensified. AndFrenchfriendshipsaredividedintocategories.Amanmayplaychesswithafriendforthirtyyearswithoutknowinghispoliticalopinionorhemaytalkpoliticswithhimforalongtimewithoutknowingabouthispersonallife.Differentfriendsfilldifferentnichesineachperson’slife.43____Thesedutiesalsoseriousandrequiredareprimarilyforrelatives.Menwhoarefriendsmaymeetinacaf6.Intellectualfriendsmaymeetinlargegroupsforeveningsofconversation.Workingpeoplemaymeetatthelittlebistrowheretheydrinkandtalkfarfromthefamily.44______. InthepastinFrancefriendshipsofthiskindseldomwereopentoanybutintellectualwomen.45______.ThespecialrelationshipoffriendshipisbasedonwhattheFrenchvaluemost-onthemindonhavingthesameoutlookonvividaawarenessofsomechosenareaoflife. [A]Thesefriendshipsarenotmadepartoffamilylife.Afriendisnotexpectedtospendeveningsbeingnicetochildrenorcourteoustoadeafgrandmother. [B]AFrenchmanexplains"IfIweretosaytoyouinFrance’Thisismygoodfriend’thatpersonwouldnotbeasclosetomeassomeoneaboutwhomIsaidonly’Thisismyfriend.’AnyoneaboutwhomIhavetosaymoreisreallyless." [C]Sincemostwomen’slivescenteredontheirhomestheirwarmestrelationswithotherwomenoftenwentbacktotheirgirlhood. [D]Marriagedoesnotaffectsuchfriendship;wivesdon’thavetobetakenintoaccount. [E]Frenchwomenlaughattheideathat"womencan’tbefriends"buttheyalsoadmitsometimesthatforwomen"itisadifferentthing". [F]BetweenFrenchfriendswhohavechoseneachotherforthesimilarityoftheirpointofviewlivelydisagreementandsharpnessofargumentarethebreathoflife. [G]Afriendissomeonewhodrawsoutyourownbestqualitieswithwhomyousparkleandbecomemoreofwhateverthefriendshipdrawsupon. 43
ThediscoverylastweekofpossibleevidenceoflifeonMarshaselectrifieddebateoverwhethertheuniverseisabarrenvoidoranurserypregnantwithlife. Scientistswhohavecomestunninglyclosetorepeatinggenesisortheoriginoflifeinatesttubesaythebuildingblocksforlifeexisteverywhere.Thechallengeisputtingthemtogether.46"Theoriginoflifeisarelativelyeasyconceptandthere’sawidevarietyofconditionsunderwhichitwilltakeplace"saidlateStanleyMilleraprofessorattheUniversityofCaliforniaandapioneerinthefield."PerhapstheremarkablethingisthateventhoughMarsisnotafavorableenvironmenttheoriginoflifetookplace." Astronomershavefoundthatthesamegasespresentinoursolarsystemarepresentthroughouttheuniverse. 47EffortstomakemicroscopiclifefromthesebasicelementsonEarthsuggeststhechanceoflifearisingundersimilarcircumstancesisthesameeverywheresaychemistsbiologistsandotherexperts. "Itseemsfairlylikelythatlifesimilartooursifthereiswateravailable’"wouldevolveinotherenvironmentsinourgalaxyorouruniverse"saidJamesFerrisaleadingresearcherandeditorofthejournal"OriginsofLifeandEvolutionoftheBiosphere." Underlyingmuchoftheresearchisthequestion..WasthedevelopmentoflifeonEarthuniqueordidtheuniverse’schemicalelementsnaturallyevolveintolife48Theanswerappearstobethatatleastthechemicalreactionsthatsetthestageforearlylifewouldbesimilareverywherebutresultantlivingorganismswoulddifferbecauseofthegeneticmutationsinevolution. "Ifyou’vegotthesamestartingmaterialsandthesameconditionsyou’regoingtogettheamecompoundsthat’sforsure"Millersaid."Therealquestioniswhetherornottherearechanceelementsintheformationoflife." 49Ina1953experimentMillermixedbasicgasesapproximatingtheEarth’searlyatmospherewithanelectricchargeinsideaglasschamberandproducedaminoacidsaprimitivebuildingblockoflife.Hethensuggestedthatlifewasanaturalevolution.Itseemedthatsciencewasonthevergeofconjuringupcreationsinthelaboratorybutthenext43yearsweretopresentunexpectedchallenges. 50"Makingtheaminoacidsmadeitseemliketherestofthestepswouldbeveryeasy;it’sturnedouttobemoredifficultthanIthoughtitwouldbe"Millersaidinaninterview. 49Ina1953experimentMillermixedbasicgasesapproximatingtheEarth’searlyatmospherewithanelectricchargeinsideaglasschamberandproducedaminoacidsaprimitivebuildingblockoflife.
Entertheinformationage.Informationistherawmaterialformanyofthebusinessactivitiesshapingthisnewera1ironandsteelwerethebasiccommoditiesinthedawningoftheindustrialage. Theworld’sknowledgeissaidtobedoubling2eightyears.Thisknowledgeexplosionis3economicprogress.Theneedtocollectanalyzeandcommunicate4quantitiesofinformationisSpawningnewproductsandservicescreatingjobsandwideningcareeropportunities. Theinformationageis5consideredtobeaphenomenonoftheservicesectoroftheeconomy6aproductofheavyindustry.Certainlyburgeoninginformationtechnologiesarecreatingnewcapabilities7knowledge-basedservicespheres.Butchangesjustasdramaticare8industrygivingpeopletheopportunitytodochallengingworkinexcitingnewways. Manufacturingisafullparticipantintheinformationage.Fromdesign9productionthemanufacturingprocesshaslongbeeninformation-intensive.Italwayshasrequiredexactingcommunicationtodescribe10goesintoproductsandhowtomakethemNowcomputertechnologyisgivingfactorymanagersnewcapabilitytogatherallofthisinformationand11ittocontrolproduction. Telecommunicationsareproducingerror-freecommunicationbetweenthedesignoffice12thefactorycomputer-aideddesignisenablingengineerstoevaluateproductperformanceandmanufacturingprocess13videodisplaysbeforeresourcesarecommittedtobuildandtestprototypes.Techniqueslikethesearebringing14newadvancesinmanufacturingproductivity. Justascoalfueledthetransformationtoanindustrialsociety15microelectronicsispoweringtheriseoftheinformationage.Microelectronicinformation-managementtoolsarestrengtheningU.S.industrialcapability16remainsvitaltoAmerica’seconomicwellbeingandnationalsecurity. Moreandmoremanufacturingcompaniesare17thatthewiseofinformationcangivethemacompetitiveedge.Ascompaniesemphasize18informationmanagementtalentedpeoplewillcontinuetofind19tomakefactoriesandmilkssingwithincreasedproductivity. Inmanufacturingaswellasinservicesinformationtechnologyisatoolto20humancreativityintoproductivity. 19
Entertheinformationage.Informationistherawmaterialformanyofthebusinessactivitiesshapingthisnewera1ironandsteelwerethebasiccommoditiesinthedawningoftheindustrialage. Theworld’sknowledgeissaidtobedoubling2eightyears.Thisknowledgeexplosionis3economicprogress.Theneedtocollectanalyzeandcommunicate4quantitiesofinformationisSpawningnewproductsandservicescreatingjobsandwideningcareeropportunities. Theinformationageis5consideredtobeaphenomenonoftheservicesectoroftheeconomy6aproductofheavyindustry.Certainlyburgeoninginformationtechnologiesarecreatingnewcapabilities7knowledge-basedservicespheres.Butchangesjustasdramaticare8industrygivingpeopletheopportunitytodochallengingworkinexcitingnewways. Manufacturingisafullparticipantintheinformationage.Fromdesign9productionthemanufacturingprocesshaslongbeeninformation-intensive.Italwayshasrequiredexactingcommunicationtodescribe10goesintoproductsandhowtomakethemNowcomputertechnologyisgivingfactorymanagersnewcapabilitytogatherallofthisinformationand11ittocontrolproduction. Telecommunicationsareproducingerror-freecommunicationbetweenthedesignoffice12thefactorycomputer-aideddesignisenablingengineerstoevaluateproductperformanceandmanufacturingprocess13videodisplaysbeforeresourcesarecommittedtobuildandtestprototypes.Techniqueslikethesearebringing14newadvancesinmanufacturingproductivity. Justascoalfueledthetransformationtoanindustrialsociety15microelectronicsispoweringtheriseoftheinformationage.Microelectronicinformation-managementtoolsarestrengtheningU.S.industrialcapability16remainsvitaltoAmerica’seconomicwellbeingandnationalsecurity. Moreandmoremanufacturingcompaniesare17thatthewiseofinformationcangivethemacompetitiveedge.Ascompaniesemphasize18informationmanagementtalentedpeoplewillcontinuetofind19tomakefactoriesandmilkssingwithincreasedproductivity. Inmanufacturingaswellasinservicesinformationtechnologyisatoolto20humancreativityintoproductivity. 13
Text1 AftertheterroristattacksinAmericalastSeptemberterroristriskbecamethepariahofperils.Theairlineindustrywasmostdirectlyaffectedbytheattacksanditwasthefirsttofindthatnoonewantedtoinsureterroristrisk.Insurancecompaniesimmediatelyincreasedpremiumsandcutcoverforairlines’third-partyterrorandwarliabilitiesto$50mperairlineper"event".UnderpressurefromairlinestheAmericangovernmentandthemembersoftheEuropeanUnionagreedtobecomeinsurersoflastresortforairlines’warandterroristliabilitiesforalimitedperiod.Thesegovernmentguaranteesareduetoexpireattheendofthemonth. TheAmericangovernmenthasalreadyagreedtoextenditsguaranteeforanother60days.TheEU’stransportministersaremeetingnextweekinBrusselstodecidewhattodo.Insurersandre-insurersarekeenforthecommercialmarkettoresumetheprovisionofallairlineinsuranceassoonaspossible.Nowonder:Thepremiumsforsuchcoverhaveinevitablyincreasedconsiderably. Howeverinthecaseofterrorismandespeciallyofterrorismintheskiesanumberofspecialfactorsarise.Somearepurelypractical:adisasterassuddenandunforeseenastheattacksontheWorldTradeCenterhashaddestructiveeffectsontheinsuranceindustry.Themaximumcoverforthird-partyterroristriskavailableintheprimaryaviationmarketisnow$50mandthatisnotnearlyenoughcoverrisksthatareperceivedtobemuchhighersinceSeptemberllth.Evenifthemarketcouldoffersufficientcoveranothercatastropheonsuchascalewouldbemorethanthemarketcouldcopewith. Inadditionarareanddevastatingriskofapoliticalnatureisarguablyonethatitisrightforgovernmentstocoveratleastinpart.InthewakeofattacksbyIrishterroriststheBritishgovernmenthasrecognizedthispointbyagreeingtobackamutualfundtocoverriskstopropertyfromterroristattack. Inthecaseoftheairlinestheappropriateanswerissomeformofmutualschemewithgovernmentbacking.Infactunderthecode-name"Equitime"representativesofairlinesinsurersandtheAmericangovernmentaresettingupaninsurancevehicletobefinancedbyairlinesandreinsuredbythegovernment.Governmentswouldguaranteethefund’sexcessriskbuttheirrolewoulddiminishasthefundgrew. SettingsomethingupwilltaketimeSotobridgethegapgovernmentswillhavetoremaininsureroflastresortforairlines’warandterroristriskforsometimetocome. Howdoesthewriterfeelaboutthepresentsituation
Text3 Itmayturnoutthatthe"digitaldivide"--oneofthemostfashionablepoliticalslogansofrecentyears--islargelyfiction.Asyouwillrecalltheargumentwentwellbe-yondtheunsurprisingnotionthattherichwouldownmorecomputersthanthepoor.Thedisturbingpartofthetheorywasthatsocietywasdividingitselfintogroupsoftechnology"haves"and"have-nots"andthatthissegregationwouldinturnworsenalreadylargeeconomicinequalities.Itisthisargumentthatiseitheruntrueorwildlyexaggerated. Weshouldalwayshavebeensuspicious.Afterallcomputershavespreadquicklybecausetheyhavebecomecheapertobuyandeasiertouse.Fallingpricesandskillrequirementssuggestthatthedigitaldividewouldspontaneouslyshrink--andsoithas. Nowanewstudyfurtherdiscreditsthedigitaldivide.ThestudybyeconomistsDavidCardoftheUniversityofCaliforniaBerkeleychallengesthenotionthatcomputershavesignificantlyworsenedwageinequality.Thelogicofhowthissupposedlyhappensisstraightforward:computersraisethedemandforhigh-skilledworkersincreasingtheirwages.Meanwhilecomputerization--byautomatingmanyroutinetasks--reducesthedemandforlow-skilledworkersandtherebytheirwages.Thegapbetweenthetwowidens. Superficiallywagestatisticssupportthetheory.Considertheratiobetweenworkersnearthetopofthewagedistributionandthosenearthebottom.Computerizationincreased;sodidthewagegap. ButwaitpointoutCardandDiNardo.Thetroublewithblamingcomputersisthattheworseningofinequalityoccurredprimarilyintheearly1980s.Withcomputerusegrowingthewagegapshouldhavecontinuedtoexpandifitwasbeingdrivenbyashiftingdemandforskills.IndeedCardandDiNardofindmuchdetailedevidencethatcontradictsthetheory.Theyconcludethatcomputerizationdoesnotexplain"theriseinU.S.wageinequalityinthelastquarterofthe20thcentury." Thepopularperceptionofcomputers’impactonwagesishugelyoverblown.Lotsofotherinfluencescountforasmuchormore.Theworseningofwageinequalityintheearly1980sforexamplealmostcertainlyreflectedthedeep1981-82recessionandthefallofinflation.Companiesfoundithardertoraiseprices.Tosurvivetheyconcludedthattheyhadtoholddownthewagesoftheirleastskilledleastmobileandyoungestworkers. The"digitaldivide"suggestedasimplesolutioncomputersforacomplexproblempoverty.Withmorecomputeraccessthepoorcouldescapetheirlot.Butcomputersneverwerethesourceofanyone’spovertyandasforescapingwhatpeopledoforthemselvesmattersmorethanwhattechnologycandoforthem. Thepurposeoftheauthorinwritingthetextis
Advancesincomputersanddatanetworksinspirevisionsofafuture"informationeconomy"inwhicheveryonewillhave1togigabytesofallkindsofinformationanywhereandanytime.2informationhasalwaysbeena3difficultcommoditytodealwithandinsomewayscomputersandhigh-speednetworksmaketheproblemsofbuying4anddistributinginformationgoodsworse5better.TheevolutionoftheInternetitself6seriousproblems.7theInternethasbeenprivatizedseveralcompaniesare8toprovidethebackbonesthatwillcarrytraffic9localnetworksbut10businessmodelsforinterconnection—whopayshowmuchforeachpacket11forexample—have12tobedeveloped.13interconnectionstandardsaredevelopedthatmake14cheapandeasytotransmitinformationacrossindependentnetworkscompetitionwill15.Iftechnicaloreconomic16makeinterconnectiondifficult17transmittingdataacrossmultiplenetworksisexpensiveortooslowthe18supplierscanofferasignificantperformance19;theymaybeabletousethisedgetodriveoutcompetitorsand20themarket. Readthefollowingtext.ChoosethebestwordsforeachnumberedblankandmarkABCorDonANSWERSHEET1.2
Text2 TheEuropeanUnion’sBarcelonasummitwhichendedonMarch16thwasplayedoutagainsttheusualbackdropofnoisy"anti-globalisation"demonstrationsandmassivesecurity.IfnothingelsethedemonstrationsillustratedthateconomicliberalizationinEurope--themeeting’smaintopic--presentsgenuinepoliticaldifficulties.Influentialsectionsofpublicopinioncontinuetoopposeanythingthattheyimaginethreatens"socialEurope"theidealofacradle-to-gravewelfarestate. InthisclimateofpublicopinionitisnotsurprisingthattheoutcomeinBarcelonawasmodest.ThetotemicissuewasopeningupEurope’senergymarkets.TheFrenchgovernmenthasfoughthardtopreserveaprotectedmarketathome{oritsstate-ownednationalchampionElectricitedeFranceEDF.AtBarcelonaitmadeawell-flaggedtacticalretreat.Thesummiteersconcludedthatfrom2004industrialusersacrossEuropewouldbeabletochoosefromcompetingenergysupplierswhichshouldaccountfor"atleast"600%ofthemarket. SinceEurope’senergymarketisworth350billion$309Billionayearandaffectsjustabouteverybusinessthisisabreakthrough.Buteventheenergydealhasdisappointingaspects.Confiningcompetitiontobusinessusersmakesithardertoshowthateconomicliberalizationisthefriendratherthanthefoeoftheordinaryperson.ItalsoallowsEDFtokeepitsmonopolyinthemostprofitablechunkoftheFrenchmarket. InotherareasespeciallytodowithEurope’stoughlabormarketstheEUisactuallygoingbackwards.Thesummiteersdeclaredthat"disincentivesagainsttakingupjobs"shouldberemoved;20mjobsshouldbecreatedwithintheEUby2010.ButonlythreedaysafteraBarcelonajamboreetheEuropeanCommissionendorsedanewlawthatwouldgivealltemporary-agencyworkersthesamerightsasfull-timerswithinsixweeksofgettingtheirfeetunderthedesk.Sixoutof20commissionersdidunusuallyvoteagainstthemeasure--ablatantpieceofre-regulation--butthesocialaffairscommissionerAnnaDiamantopoulouwasunrepentantindeedtriumphant.Adissatsifiedliberaliserinthecommissioncalledthedirective"anabsolutedisaster". Thesummit’sotherachievementsarestillmorefragile.Europe’sleaderspromisedtoincreasespendingon"researchanddevelopment"fromitscurrentfigureof1.9%ofGDPayearto3%.ButhowwillEuropeanpoliticianscompelbusinessestoinvestmoreinresearchNobodyseemstoknow.AndtheonebigresearchprojectagreedonatBarcelonatheGalileosatellite-positioningsystemwhichissupposedtocost3.2billionofpublicmoneyisofdubiouscommercialvaluesincetheEuropeansalreadyenjoyfreeaccesstotheAmericans’GPAsystem.EdwardBannermanheadofeconomicsattheCentreforEuropeanReformaBlairitethink-tankcallsGalileo"thecommonagriculturalpolicyinspace." WhichofthefollowingisNOTmentionedinthetext
Entertheinformationage.Informationistherawmaterialformanyofthebusinessactivitiesshapingthisnewera1ironandsteelwerethebasiccommoditiesinthedawningoftheindustrialage. Theworld’sknowledgeissaidtobedoubling2eightyears.Thisknowledgeexplosionis3economicprogress.Theneedtocollectanalyzeandcommunicate4quantitiesofinformationisSpawningnewproductsandservicescreatingjobsandwideningcareeropportunities. Theinformationageis5consideredtobeaphenomenonoftheservicesectoroftheeconomy6aproductofheavyindustry.Certainlyburgeoninginformationtechnologiesarecreatingnewcapabilities7knowledge-basedservicespheres.Butchangesjustasdramaticare8industrygivingpeopletheopportunitytodochallengingworkinexcitingnewways. Manufacturingisafullparticipantintheinformationage.Fromdesign9productionthemanufacturingprocesshaslongbeeninformation-intensive.Italwayshasrequiredexactingcommunicationtodescribe10goesintoproductsandhowtomakethemNowcomputertechnologyisgivingfactorymanagersnewcapabilitytogatherallofthisinformationand11ittocontrolproduction. Telecommunicationsareproducingerror-freecommunicationbetweenthedesignoffice12thefactorycomputer-aideddesignisenablingengineerstoevaluateproductperformanceandmanufacturingprocess13videodisplaysbeforeresourcesarecommittedtobuildandtestprototypes.Techniqueslikethesearebringing14newadvancesinmanufacturingproductivity. Justascoalfueledthetransformationtoanindustrialsociety15microelectronicsispoweringtheriseoftheinformationage.Microelectronicinformation-managementtoolsarestrengtheningU.S.industrialcapability16remainsvitaltoAmerica’seconomicwellbeingandnationalsecurity. Moreandmoremanufacturingcompaniesare17thatthewiseofinformationcangivethemacompetitiveedge.Ascompaniesemphasize18informationmanagementtalentedpeoplewillcontinuetofind19tomakefactoriesandmilkssingwithincreasedproductivity. Inmanufacturingaswellasinservicesinformationtechnologyisatoolto20humancreativityintoproductivity. 15
Entertheinformationage.Informationistherawmaterialformanyofthebusinessactivitiesshapingthisnewera1ironandsteelwerethebasiccommoditiesinthedawningoftheindustrialage. Theworld’sknowledgeissaidtobedoubling2eightyears.Thisknowledgeexplosionis3economicprogress.Theneedtocollectanalyzeandcommunicate4quantitiesofinformationisSpawningnewproductsandservicescreatingjobsandwideningcareeropportunities. Theinformationageis5consideredtobeaphenomenonoftheservicesectoroftheeconomy6aproductofheavyindustry.Certainlyburgeoninginformationtechnologiesarecreatingnewcapabilities7knowledge-basedservicespheres.Butchangesjustasdramaticare8industrygivingpeopletheopportunitytodochallengingworkinexcitingnewways. Manufacturingisafullparticipantintheinformationage.Fromdesign9productionthemanufacturingprocesshaslongbeeninformation-intensive.Italwayshasrequiredexactingcommunicationtodescribe10goesintoproductsandhowtomakethemNowcomputertechnologyisgivingfactorymanagersnewcapabilitytogatherallofthisinformationand11ittocontrolproduction. Telecommunicationsareproducingerror-freecommunicationbetweenthedesignoffice12thefactorycomputer-aideddesignisenablingengineerstoevaluateproductperformanceandmanufacturingprocess13videodisplaysbeforeresourcesarecommittedtobuildandtestprototypes.Techniqueslikethesearebringing14newadvancesinmanufacturingproductivity. Justascoalfueledthetransformationtoanindustrialsociety15microelectronicsispoweringtheriseoftheinformationage.Microelectronicinformation-managementtoolsarestrengtheningU.S.industrialcapability16remainsvitaltoAmerica’seconomicwellbeingandnationalsecurity. Moreandmoremanufacturingcompaniesare17thatthewiseofinformationcangivethemacompetitiveedge.Ascompaniesemphasize18informationmanagementtalentedpeoplewillcontinuetofind19tomakefactoriesandmilkssingwithincreasedproductivity. Inmanufacturingaswellasinservicesinformationtechnologyisatoolto20humancreativityintoproductivity. 5
Text4 Penny-pinchingconsumersandfiercepricewarsarebadnewsforthetravelindustry.Badthatisforeveryoneexcepttheboomingonlinetravelgiants.ConsiderthesharpreboundofsuchonlineplayersasTravelocityandExpedia.WhiletheysufferedinthewakeoftheSeptember11terroristattackswithbookingsoffasmuchas70%0intheweeksthatfollowedbusinesshassnappedback."Thespeedwithwhichthosebusinessesbouncedbacksurprisedeventhepeoplemostbullishaboutthesector"saysMitchellJ.RubinamoneymanageratNewYork-basedBaronCapitalaninvestorinonlinetravelstocks. Thetravelindustry’spainisoftentheonlineindustry’sgainassupplierspushmorediscountedairlineseatsandhotelroomstowinbackcustomers.Andmanyofthosedealsareavailableonlyonline.Atthesametimeonlineagenciesrelyprimarilyonleisuretravelerswheretraffichasreboundedmorequicklythanonthebusinessside. ThetwobiggestplayersTravelocity.ComInc.andExpediaIncarelockedincombatforthetopspot.Bothsoldsome$3billionworthoftravellastyearthoughExpediatoppedTravelocityinthefourthquarteringrossbookings.AndthanksinparttoagreateremphasisonwholesaledealswithsuppliersExpediaismoreprofitable.ForthequarterendedinDecemberExpediaposteditsfirstnetprofit$5.2millionevenwithnoncashandnonrecurringchargescomparedwithTravelocity’s$25millionloss. Theairlines’latestcost-cuttingmovesmayonlyspurtheonlinestampede.MajorcarriersareeliminatingtravelagentcommissionsintheU.S.ThatcouldleadtogrowingservicechargesforconsumersattraditionalagenciesdrivingstillmoretravelerstotheWeb.JupiterMediaMetrixispredictingthatonlinetravelsalesintheU.S.willjump29%to$31billionthisyearandto$50billionby2005.Abouthalfofthatisfromairlines’andothersuppliers’ownWebsitesbutthatstillleavesplentyofroomfortheonlineagents. Thisgrowingmarketisdrawingplentyofcompetitionandnewplayers.HotelandcarrentalfranchiserCendantCorp.snappedupCheapTicketslastOctober.BarryDiller’sUSANetworksInc.boughtacontrollingstakeinExpedia.AndagroupofhotelsincludingHiltonHotelsandHyattCorp.arelaunchingtheirownbusinessthissummertomarkethotelroomsontheNet. IsthefieldtoocrowdedAnalystsandonlineagenciesaren’tworriedfiguringthatthere’splentyofnewbusinesstogoaround.Butfornowtheclearwinnersareconsumerswhocancountonfindingbetterserviceandbetterdealsonline. Whobenefitedthemostfromthecompetitionamongtravelagencies
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