问答题
QUESTION 1
For this task, you will write a response to a question about a reading passage and a lecture. You may take notes, and you may use your notes to help you write your response. Your response will be scored on the quality of your writing and on how well you connect the points in the lecture with points in the reading. Typically, an effective response will have 150 to 225 words.
Many employers have policies against friendships in the workplace. Even if friendships are not directly prohibited, they may be discouraged because friendships among employees can have negative consequences.
Workplace friendships, especially close friendships, affect an employee"s job performance. A recent survey of business leaders showed that employees are less engaged in their work when they have a close friend at work. Employees with close friends are less productive and less valuable to the organization. They spend too much time talking and are less careful in what they talk about in the workplace. Nearly half of the managers who were interviewed said that people should keep work and non-work life separate.
Close friendships affect the entire workplace. A close friendship is inherently more complex than a casual one. The closer two people become in the workplace, the more potential fallout if things go awry and they stop being friends. Also, when people form tight-knit social groups at work, it can alienate others, who might feel left out and become jealous. Other employees might complain about cliques. In the survey of business leaders, nearly one-third of those interviewed agreed that familiarity breeds contempt and that resentment within the work group decreases employees" loyalty to the company.
Moreover, some workplace friendships are counterproductive because they increase worker dissatisfaction. Within some factories, the relationship between management and union workers is so bad that it leads to constant tension. As a result, most of the friendships among workers are based on a mutual hatred for their employer. Workplace conversations often revolve around complaining and venting. Friendships based on shared resentment have a negative influence on all concerned.
Summarize the points made in the lecture, being sure to explain how they contradict specific points made in the reading passage.
QUESTION 2
For this task, you will write an essay in response to a question that asks you to state and support your opinion on a topic. Your essay will be scored on the quality of your writing, including how well you organize and develop your ideas and how well you use language to express your ideas. Typically, an effective essay will have a minimum of 300 words.
Read the question below and make any notes that will help you plan your response. Then begin typing your essay.
Some people think that earning a high salary is the most important aspect of a job. Other people think that doing enjoyable work is more important, even if the job does not pay well. Which is more important to you: work that pays well or work that is enjoyable? Give specific reasons and examples to support your answer.
【正确答案】
【答案解析】1. Key points:
● The lecture states that people with a best friend at work are more likely to be productive and engaged in their work. This contradicts the point in the reading that people with a close friend at work are less engaged and less productive.
● The lecture states that friendships are a critical part of a healthy workplace. This contradicts the point in the reading that close friendships have a negative impact on the entire workplace.
● The lecture states that workplace friendships are a strong predictor of job satisfaction. This contradicts the point in the reading that some workplace friendships increase worker dissatisfaction.
2. Responses will vary.
[听力原文]
According to research, the potential advantages of friendships on the job outweigh the possible disadvantages.
First, the research shows that having a "best friend" at work—rather than just a casual friend or even a good friend—is a strong predictor of workplace outcomes. Close friendships at work lead to substantial increases in job performance and career success. Employees who have a best friend at work are seven times more likely to be engaged in their work. If you have a best friend at work, you are significantly more likely to interact with your customers, get more done in less time, and innovate and share ideas. In other words, you are more productive and valuable to your employer.
Second, the studies indicate that the growth of friendships is a critical part of a healthy workplace. In the best work groups, the employers recognize that employees want to build quality friendships. The employers know that company loyalty is built from such relationships. If you have friends at work, you are more likely to feel informed and know that your opinions count. When you feel appreciated, you feel loyal to the organization.
Third, having friends at work is a strong predictor of job satisfaction. Workplace friendships may form a type of emotional compensation for employees who lack other incentives. For example, employees who have close friends at work have a much more favorable perception of their pay, when compared to people without close friends at work. The research shows that close friendships at work can increase job satisfaction by nearly 50 percent.
Summarize the points made in the lecture, being sure to explain how they contradict specific points made in the reading passage.