问答题 At least 600,000 jobs could disappear in the UK this year, according to a report by a personnel managers" professional body. The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development says even those who escape redundancy will face pay freezes. It says that while total unemployment will not hit three million, the time between New Year and Easter will be the worst for job losses since 1991. According to official statistics, there were 1.86 million people out of work in the UK in October, 2008. This figure was the highest since 1997, taking the overall unemployment rate to 6 percent. David Frost of the British Chamber of Commerce says, "It is the worst year. Companies are in survival mode."

问答题 According to the passage, which year will be the worst for job losses in the UK?

【正确答案】

【答案解析】2009[解析] 第一段提到the time between New Year and Easter will be the worst for job losses since 1991...there were ...in October, 2008, 英国的失业最高峰在2008年后的新年到复活节(一般在3月21日或在当日后的第一个星期日)之间，即是在2009年。

问答题 What kind of organisation is the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development?

【正确答案】

【答案解析】It"s a professional body representing managers and personnel staff.[解析] 第一段第一句话提到... according to a report by a personnel managers" professional body, 从后文的叙述中可知这个professional body就是the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development。第二段第一句提到The CIPD, which represents managers and personnel staff..., 概括来说就是CIPD is a professional body representing managers and personnel staff。

问答题 What are many British companies now struggling for?

【正确答案】

【答案解析】Survival[解析] 第一段最后一句提到It is the worst year. Companies are in survival mode. 即，英国的许多公司现在正在为生存奋战。

问答题 What does the CIPD advise British employers to do under the present circumstances?

【正确答案】

【答案解析】Find new ways to motivate their employees to perform.[解析] 倒数第三段提到CIPD的顾问Charles Cotton认为员工对自己的收入前景的看法是很现实的，employers需要努力find new ways to motivate their employees to perform。

问答题 Why does Charles Cotton suggest that employers communicate with their staff straight-forwardly?

【正确答案】

【答案解析】To help preserve staff loyalty and engagement.[解析] 最后一段提到当Charles Cotton谈到雇主需要与员工直接交流时，明确说道：“This will help preserve staff loyalty and engagement...”。