单选题
For most companies today, getting into new markets with better, cheaper products, whether through an expansion or a new facility, is the sole objective. But (1) that, and doing it profitably means (2) and foremost knowing you will find the workforce. The current nearly eight-year-long economic (3) has sent unemployment levels in the U.S. to (4) lows. Indeed, according to a recent study, some 80 percent of metropolitan areas today have unemployment rates (5) 6 percent; communities with highly skilled workers are hovering in the 2 to 4 percent range. Also (6) for that labor are foreign companies that have been operating here and want to expand. (7) so many companies chasing the workforce, the (8) are high. The most important issue facing corporations is the (9) of qualified, entry-level labor at (10) wage rates. But getting large groups of existing employees to (11) to a new facility—50 or more people at a time—is (12) these days. There are so many other jobs to be had without moving. (13) , the newgeneration of 20-something workers is more interested in staying (14) to maintain lifestyle standard and roots. Finally, with so many more dual-income (15) , people are unwilling to (16) the family financial arrangement with a move. That means you're probably going to be (17) with the existing labor pool in your chosen location. (18) the number of people needed, the (19) of thumb is that for every one position you have to (20) , there should be 5 to 10 workers already in the area.
单选题
A. completing B. achieving C. implementing D. fulfilling
【答案解析】[解析] 考查副词辨析。first and foremost是固定词组,意为“首先,第一”。其余选项均不适用:initially“起初,在开始时”,originally“原先,新颖地”,ahead“在前方”。
单选题
A. inertia B. aggravation C. crisis D. expansion
【正确答案】
D
【答案解析】[解析] 考查名词辨析。段首句已提到多数企业要通过扩大规模(expansion)或建新厂(a new facility)打入新市场,下文提到失业率下降(sent unemployment levels in the U.S. to...lows),可见经济目前处于繁荣发展时期,故选D.expansion“扩展,发展”。其余选项均不合文意:inertia“隋性,惯性”,aggravation“加剧,恶化”,crisis“危机”。
单选题
A. file B. record C. document D. report
【正确答案】
B
【答案解析】[解析] 考查名词辨析。本句中lows作名词,意为“低水平”,record lows“创纪录的低水平,前所未有的低水平”,类似的常用词组还有a new low(最低点),a record high(最高水平)等。其余选项均不能修饰lows:file“档案,文件”,document“文件,文献”,report“报告,汇报”。
单选题
A. utilization B. efficiency C. education D. availability
【正确答案】
D
【答案解析】[解析] 考查名词辨析。从全文主题,尤其是unemployment,chasing the workforce等相关词汇的使用,可以推断出企业面临的重要问题是能否得到合适的劳动力(labor)。D.availability是available的派生词,意为“可获得,能得到”,符合文意。其余选项均不适用:utilization“利用,使用”,efficiency“效率,功效”,education“教育”。
单选题
A. rational B. favorable C. affordable D. imaginable
单选题
A. households B. employees C. executives D. laborers
【正确答案】
A
【答案解析】[解析] 考查名词辨析。作者提到的造成雇员迁徙难的第三个原因是双收入(dual-income,即夫妻都工作)家庭越来越多,人们怕影响家庭已有的经济安排(the family financial arrangement)。A.households是family的同义词,在此与文意相符。其余选项均不合逻辑。employees“雇员”,executives“总经理,董事,行政人员”,laborers“体力劳动者”。
单选题
A. agitate B. disperse C. disturb D. overthrow