In today's business climate, every corporate decision is measured by one standard--how it influences bottom line. So for businesses in Saint John, New Brunswick, important decisions usually comes easier. The reason? Saint John is the country's most cost-effective city. Many companies, including major telemarketing operations, are moving in to take advantage of substantially more competitive operating costs for human resources, workers' compensation, telecommunications and business convenience. 1. In Saint John, city center rents run approximately one-third less than the national average. Downtown Class A office space ranges in price from the low to mid teens. Class B rents for much lower fees. Salaries cost an average of 23 percent less when compared to other major centers. These reduced costs and lower household expenses make for a winning combination where employers and employees both benefit. 2. From superhighways to future highways. Saint John has it all. Leading-edge technology supplied by companies like NBTel will link your firm to the world. Combine this technology with low-cost telecommunications rates and round-the-clock service, and you have three good reasons why national firms like Northern Telecom, Canada Trust and Meditrust now call Saint John home. 3. NBTel's Competitive telecommunications rates can help an employer realize annual savings of 25 percent and more. Lower property and commercial taxes, Canada's second lowest electric power rates, and no business of salary taxes make Saint John an ideal cost-saving location. In recent comparative studies to determine the least expensive city center, Saint John ranked number one compared to 27 U. S. cities. 4. Saint John means profitability and good business sense. To help companies considering business expansion or relocation, the newly created Greater Saint John Economic Development Commission is ready to take an active role in your evaluation process. General manager Steve Carson says the Commission's role is simple: "We're here to make it easier to set up or expand a business in Saint John./
单选题
The task of Greater Saint John Economic Development Commission is to ______.
【正确答案】
C
【答案解析】这里的Greater Saint John Economic Development Commission是一个机构的名称，出现在第四段，后半句原话是：is ready to take an active role in your evaluation process. 与之意思相当的，选择项中没有。但紧接下来该机构的总经理说他们的宗旨是：“…to make it easier to set up or expand a business in Saint John.”C与之正吻合。
【答案解析】谈到工资(wages)的，全篇中只有两处：第一段中的第四句：“Salaries cost an average of 23 percent less when compared to their major centers.”；另一处在第三段讲工资税(Salary taxes)的。与第一段第四句意思相同的是A。
单选题
There are a few reasons why national companies ______.
【正确答案】
C
【答案解析】这句话出现在第二段第二句的后半部分：“…and you have three good reasons why national firms like Northern Telecom, Canada Trust and Meditrust now call Saint John home.”，其中的call Saint John home与选择项C的consider Saint John to be their home相符。
单选题
In Saint John, New Brunswick it is easier than elsewhere for companies to ______.
【正确答案】
B
【答案解析】全篇中提到Saint John，New Brunswick的只有未标数字的第一段。原句是：“So for businesses in Saint John, New Brunswick, important decisions usually come easier.”与此意思相近的唯有B。