问答题 A
Taler to cut UK workforce
Taler Chemicals,the Anglo-German industrial chemical company,announced yesterday that it is to cut 600 blue-collar jobs in a series of downsizing measures at three of its British plants The news coincided with confirmation that the company also plans to dispose of its loss- making operations,Cap Paints,the industrial solvent and paint division.This restructuring comes as the company reported a sharp drop in pre-tax profits. According to a company spokesman,the proposed joint venture with DTR International,one of the Taler Chemicals'main competitors,is likely to be shelved.
B
Merger creates Hungarian software powerhouse
Silcom has finalised merger terms with ARER to create one of Hungary's largest computer software companies.Details of the merger are expected to be released later today. However,it is believed that Silcom's plans to break into France and Germany have been put on hold for the time being and that major job losses Will soon be announced.Silcom looks set to benefit from the merger with ARER,which has recently been awarded a number of major contracts,including a contract with the Hungarian Ministry for Foreign Affairs,which will be worth in excess of $345,000 for the company.
C
Profits warning at LYT International
LYT International,one of Europe's leading Management Training Organisations,has warned shareholders to expect a fall in full year profits.The company,whose flagship training centre in Copenhagen is currently being modernised and refurbished,made an interim profit of $12m,compared with $23m in 1998.In response to its poor financial results,LYT has announced plans to cut jobs in its French and Spanish centres.An employee spokesman said that the move would prove unpopular and that with insufficient employees,some centres would struggle to deliver the high level of service demanded.
D
Shake-up at BTED
Nina Rantamen,former government adviser and the new CEO at BTED Power in Finland,has announced cost-cutting measures at the company.This decision has already led to the resignation of one of the company's most respected employees.Annika Ehlers had been with BTED Power for over 20 years,most recently as its Head of Operations.It is believed that she objected to company plans to reduce staffing levels at two of BTED Power's plants.Indications are that further high level resignations will follow in the next few months.
E
Restructuring plans announced at San Freight
San Freight has responded to redundancy rumours by revealing that it is to cut the number of office-based staff employed in its Scandinavian division by 25% over the next 24 months. The announcement follows confirmation that the company has also decided to postpone the planned upgrading of haulage systems at its Stockholm subsidiary. A senior staff member has revealed that San Freight's business has deteriorated in recent months due to the escalating price war with central and eastern European rivals.

问答题 This company will be working with a government organization.
【正确答案】B
【答案解析】[解析] 该段讲述了Silcom公司最终敲定与ARER公司的兼并条款,兼并将使其跻身匈牙利最大软件公司之一。今日稍后将发布兼并细节。然而Silcom公司打入法德市场的计划却暂时搁浅。它主要职位的流失也将宣布。Silcom公司似乎已经从与ARER公司的兼并中获益,后者近来签署了许多重大合同,其中包括与匈牙利外交部的合约,该合同将为公司带来超过34.5万美元的利润。
[答案精解] 与该段内容相匹配的选项句有两个,即第1句和第7句。第1句意为“这家公司将与政府部门合作”,即该段最后一句所述内容,可判断出此句为相关选项。第7句意为“这家公司推迟了其进入新的西欧市场的计划”,即B段第三句所述内容,因此也是正确选项。
问答题 This company's decision to restructure will result in staff shortages.
【正确答案】C
【答案解析】[解析] 该段讲述了欧洲主要管理培训机构之一LYT国际公司,警告它的股东全年利润将下滑。该公司在哥本哈根的旗舰培训中心当前正在翻新和更新现代化设备,该中心的中期利润为1200万美元,而在1998年的同期利润为2300万美元。鉴于其糟糕的财务成果,LYT公司宣布将削减公司法国中心和西班牙中心的职位。一位公司职工代表说,这项举措不受欢迎,雇员不足将使一些培训中心艰难地履行职责,以满足高水平的服务要求。
[答案精解] 与该段内容相匹配的选项句有两个,即第2句和第6句。第2句意为“公司职位调整的决定将导致员工短缺”,即该段最后一句所述内容,所以选择此句。第6句意为“这家公司当前正在更新一些设备”,即该段第二句所述内容,因此也是正确选项。
问答题 This company is to reduce the number of administrative posts.
【正确答案】E
【答案解析】[解析] 该段讲述了San货运公司对裁员传闻作出回应,公司披露,将在之后的24个月中,裁减公司在斯堪的纳维亚分部的25%的办公室管理人员。之前,San公司确认了将延迟更新斯德哥尔摩分公司拖运系统的计划。一位资深职员披露,由于与中东欧竞争对手不断升级的价格战,San货运公司近几个月营业状况不断恶化。
[答案精解] 与该段内容相匹配的选项句有两个,即第3句和第8句。第3句意为“这家公司将削减办公管理人员的职位”,与该段第一句所述内容相符,故此句为相关选项。第8句意为“这家公司正在经受日渐激烈的竞争”,即该段最后一句所述内容,所以选择此句。其中,选项句第3句中的“administrative posts”和此段中的“office-based staff”表达的意义相近,指办公室管理职位或职员。
问答题 This company will sell off assets to offset poor financial results.
【正确答案】A
【答案解析】[解析] 该段讲述了一家英德工业化工公司宣布,准备对其三个英国工厂实行一系列精简措施,其中包括将裁员600名蓝领工人。这一消息证实了该公司将卖掉其经常亏损的部门,工业溶剂和油漆部CapPaints的计划。这次结构调整是由于该公司报告称近期税前利润暴跌。据该公司发言人称,公司与它的主要竞争对手DRT国际公司的合资提议很有可能被搁置一边。
[答案精解] 与该段内容相匹配的选项句只有一个,即第4句。第4句意为“这家公司计划抛售资产以弥补糟糕的财务成果”,正是该段第二句与第三句所述内容,因此是正确选项。
问答题 This company has made cuts which are unpopular with senior staff.
【正确答案】D
【答案解析】[解析] 该段讲述了芬兰前政府顾问以及BTED电力公司新执行总裁Nina Rantamen宣布,公司将实施成本消减措施。这项决定已导致公司一名备受尊敬的员工辞职。辞职雇员Annika Ehlers是在BTED电力公司工作二十多年的资深员工,最近刚刚升任业务主管。据说她反对在公司的两家工厂削减员工数量的计划。有迹象表明在接下来的几个月中,还将有高层辞职现象。
[答案精解] 与该段内容相匹配的选项句只有一个,即第5句。第5句意为“公司削减成本的举措并不受资深员工的欢迎”,这正是该段后三句所表达的内容,因此是相关选项。
问答题 This company is in the process of upgrading some of its facilities.
【正确答案】C
【答案解析】
问答题 This company has postponed its entry into new western European markets
【正确答案】B
【答案解析】
问答题 This company is suffering from the effects of increased competition.
【正确答案】E
【答案解析】