单选题
A is for always getting to work on time.
B is for being extremely busy.
C is for the conscientious(勤勤恳恳的) way you do your job.
You may be all these things at the office, and more. But when it comes to getting ahead, experts say, the ABCs of business should include a P, for politics, as in office politics.
Dale Carnegie suggested as much more than 50 years ago: Hard work alone doesn"t ensure career advancement. You have to be able to sell yourself and your ideas, both publicly and behind the scenes. Yet, despite the obvious rewards of engaging in office politics—a better job, a raise, praise—many people are still unable—or unwilling—to "play the game."
"People assume that office politics involves some manipulative (工于心计的) behavior," says Deborah Comer, an assistant professor of management at Hofstra University. "But polities derives from the word "polite". It can mean lobbying and forming associations. It can mean being kind and helpful, or even trying to please your superior, and then expecting something in return."
In fact, today, experts define office politics as proper behavior used to pursue one"s own self-interest in the workplace. In many cases, this involves some form of socializing within the office environment—not just in large companies, but in small workplaces as well.
"The first thing people are usually judged on is their ability to perform well on a consistent basis," says Neil P Lewis, a management psychologist. "But if two or three candidates are up for a promotion, each of whom has reasonably similar ability, a manager is going to promote the person he or she likes best. It"s simple human nature."
Yet, psychologists say, many employees and employers have trouble with the concept of politics in the office. Some people, they say, have an idealistic vision of work and what it takes to succeed. Still others associate politics with flattery (奉承), fearful that, if they speak up for themselves, they may appear to be flattering their boss for favors.
Experts suggest altering this negative picture by recognizing the need for some self-promotion.
单选题
"Office polities" (Line 2, Para. 4) is used in the passage to refer to ______.
【正确答案】
C
【答案解析】[解析] 根据第七段第二句“In many cases, this involves some form of socializing within the office environment—not just in large companies, but in small workplaces as well.”特别是socializing(交往、交际)一词,第五段Dale Carnegie的建议中也包含了这种意思,再综合整篇文章,C项“公司内部的人际关系”应为正确答案。
单选题
To get promoted, one must not only be competent but ______.
【正确答案】
A
【答案解析】[解析] 根据第八段第二句“But if two or three candidates are up for a promotion, each of whom has reasonably similar ability, a manager is going to promote the person he or she likes best. It"s simple human nature. (如果有两三个候选人够格获得提拔且能力相当,那么经理会提拔他或她最喜欢的那个人。)”A项“给老板留下好印象”符合句意。
单选题
Why are many people unwilling to "play the game" (Line 4, Para. 5)?
【正确答案】
B
【答案解析】[解析] 根据第六段开头“"People assume that office politics involves some manipulative(工于心计的)behavior," says Deborah Comer, an assistant professor of management at Hofstra University.”得知人们认为office politics涉及一些工于心计的行为,也就是说这种做法不符合行为准则,故选B项。
单选题
The author considers office politics to be ______.
【正确答案】
D
【答案解析】[解析] 根据第四段第二句“But when it comes to getting ahead, experts say, the ABCs of business should include a P, for politics, as in office polities.”再根据第五段Dale Carnegie建议中的内容和第八段的所举例子以及文章最后一句话,可以得知D项“对个人的升迁是一个主要因素”为正确答案。
单选题
It is the author"s view that ______.
【正确答案】
B
【答案解析】[解析] 本文中作者引用了许多名人、专家、心理学家的观点,也谈到了许多普通人的看法,例如有些把office politics和flattery联系起来,且认为这种做法有悖于自己的行为准则。但不难看出作者是赞同专家们的观点的,尤其是文章最后一句话“Experts suggest altering this negative picture by recognizing the need for some self-promotion.”。综上,B项“自我推销并不一定是指阿谀奉承”为正确答案。