Because of its potential for cutting costs, the distribution step in the marketing process is receiving more attention. Distribution involves warehousing, transporting and keeping inventory of manufactured products. Take an everyday product like fabric softener. After it comes off the assembly line, it"s packed in cartons and trucked to warehouses around the country. When orders come in from retailers, the fabric softener is delivered to supermarket shelves. This is distribution. Probably the most crucial area for controlling costs is inventory. Companies don"t want to overproduce and have unsold stock of their product piled up in warehouses. Wholesale companies and large retail chains employ several techniques for inventory control. This is where the computer revolution really had an impact. Computerized information systems give precise and up-to-date accounts of inventory on hand. And the field of distribution offers good entry-level jobs for persons with training in computer programming or data processing. Overseeing the whole area of distribution is the distribution manager. This job is becoming increasingly important and can lead to an executive position.
单选题
According to the passage, why is the distribution step in marketing getting more attention?
【正确答案】
B
【答案解析】解析：本题的关键还是要找到依据句。由题干上的关键词distribution step in the marketing可以容易地看出依据句就是第1个句子(Because of its potential for cutting costs，the distribution step in the marketing process is receiving more attention。)。正确选项必须含有cutting costs的意思；其他选项的内容属于无关信息或错误信息。
单选题
Why does the writer mention fabric softener?
【正确答案】
D
【答案解析】解析：先找到题干中的fabric softener在文章中出现的地方，再正确理解前后的句子，就可以确认答案。注意第1段的最后一个总结句子(This is distribution．)，fabric softener是说明distribution的一个实例。
单选题
Why is inventory control so important?
【正确答案】
A
【答案解析】解析：先确认题干中的关键词inventory，再找到本题的依据句(Probably the most crucial area for controlling costs is inventory．)，就能确认A选项正确。其他选项属于无关信息。
单选题
Why are computers important in distribution?
【正确答案】
A
【答案解析】解析：通过题干上的关键词computers找到本题的依据句(Computerized information systems give precise and up-to-date accounts of inventory on hand．)，其他选项的内容都属于无关信息。
单选题
What is this passage mainly talking about?
【正确答案】
B
【答案解析】解析：本题是大意题，确定主题句最为关键。～般主题句的位置是文章的第1句话。本文主题句(Because of its potential for cutting costs，the distribution step in the marketing process is receiving more attention．)中最重要的信息是the distribution step in the marketing process，与B选项完全一致。