单选题 In the information technology industry, it is widely acknowledged that how well IT departments of the future can fulfill their business goals will depend not on the regular updating of technology, which is essential for them to do, but on how well they can hold on to the people skilled at manipulating the newest technology. This is becoming more difficult. Best estimates of the current shortfall in IT staff in the UK are between 30,000 and 50,000, and growing.
And there is no end to the problem in sight. A severe industry-wide lack of investment in training means the long-term skills base is both ageing and shrinking. Employers are chasing experienced staff in ever-decreasing circles, and, according to a recent government report, 250,000 new IT jobs will be created over the next decade.
Most employers are confining themselves to dealing with the immediate problems. There is little evidence, for example, that they are stepping up their intake of raw recruits for in-house training, or retraining existing staff from other functions. This is the course of action recommended by the Computer Software Services Association, but research shows its members are adopting the short-term measure of bringing in more and more consultants on a contract basis.
With IT professionals increasingly attracted to the financial rewards and flexibility of consultancy work, average staff turnover rates are estimated to be around 15%. While many companies in the financial services sector are managing to contain their losses by offering skilled IT staff "golden handcuffs" — deferred loyalty bonuses that tie them in until a certain date — other organizations, like local governments, are unable to match the competitive salaries and perks on offer in the private sector and contractor market, and are suffering turnover rates of up to 60% a year.
But while loyalty bonuses have grabbed the headlines, there are other means of holding on to staff. Some companies are doing additional IT pay reviews in the year and paying market premiums. But such measures can create serious employee relations problems among those excluded, both within and outside IT departments. Many industry experts advise employers to link bonuses to performance wherever possible. However, employers are realising that bonuses will only succeed if they are accompanied by other incentives such as attractive career prospects, training, and challenging work that meets the individual's long-term ambitions.

单选题 According to the passage, the success of IT departments will depend on ______.

A. their success at retaining their skilled staff
B. the extent to which they invest in new technology
C. their attempts to recruit staff with the necessary skills
D. the ability of employees to keep up with the latest developments

【正确答案】 A

【答案解析】[解析] 这是道细节题。所谓细节题就是能够在文中找到句子来解题。这个题目的解题句是从第一段的后面一个depend on就能看出答案是第一个。文中第一段的"depend not on the regular updating of technology，which is essential for them to do，but on how well they can hold on to the people skilled at manipulating the newest，”(不能依靠技术经常更新，因为这不是关键点，而是要依靠他们怎么把那些能掌握最新技术的人留住，)通过一个转折句子可以看出答案。

单选题 The problem referred to in the second paragraph is that ______.

A. the government needs to create thousands of new IT posts
B. the pool of skilled IT people will get even smaller in the future
C. company budgets for IT training have been decreasing steadily
D. older IT professionals have no adequate training

【正确答案】 B

【答案解析】[解析] 这是道细节题。解题句是第一段的最后一句"This is becoming more difficult．Best estimates of the current shortfall in IT staff in the UK are between 30，000 and 50，000，and growing．” (这变得越来越难了。现在英国IT人才的缺口在30000到5000之间)。从这句话可以看出答案。B的意思是未来IT人才库将变得越来越小。可以看出问题是技术好的人越来越少，差额越来越大。

单选题 What is the possible solution to the long-term problems in the IT industry?

A. To offer top rates to attract the best specialist consultants.
B. To expand company training programs for new and old employees.
C. To conduct more research into the reasons for staff leaving.
D. To ensure that permanent staff earn the same as contract staff.

【正确答案】 B

【答案解析】[解析] 这是道细节题。对这个问题的解答，一是可以找到文中解题句子，二是可以采取排除法。第二段的“a severe industry-wide lack of investment in training”对员工培训投资的严重缺乏，根据这句话我们可以看出答案是B。B的意思是要加大公司对新老员工的培训项目的投入，这和文中的意思是相符的。

单选题 In some businesses in the financial services sector, the IT staffing problem has led to ______.

A. additional benefits for skilled staff after a specified period of time
B. more employees seeking alternative employment in the public sector
C. the loss of customers to rival organizations
D. more flexible conditions of work for their staff

【正确答案】 A

【答案解析】[解析] 这是道细节题。从第四段的倒数第三行到最后可以看出，许多公司为了留住员工，尤其是技术熟练的员工，他们会给他们提供一笔奖金，或者分红，这些分红一般会晚一点发给员工，这些奖金也称为忠诚奖。这使得政府不能和私人企业相比，因为他们提供的奖金没有竞争力，所以跳槽的比例也就达到了60%。从这些内容可以看出IT员工为了金钱跳槽带来的问题使得他们可以得到额外的福利。故选A。

单选题 Employers accept that IT professionals are more likely to stay in their present post if they ______.

A. are set more realistic performance targets
B. have a good working relationship with staff in other departments
C. are provided with opportunities for professional development
D. receive a remuneration package at top market rates

【正确答案】 C

【答案解析】[解析] 这是道细节题。从文章最后一句话“However，employers are realizing that bonuses will only succeed if they are accompanied by other incentives such as attractive career prospects， training，and challenging work that meets the individual's long-term ambitions．”可以看出要让员工长久留在单位不走的话，其中一个刺激因素就是能够为他们提供较好的职业发展前途。故选C。