单选题Passage 8 New technology links the world as never before. Our planet has shrunk. It's now a "global village" where countries are only seconds away by fax or phone or satellite link. And, of course, our ability to benefit from this high-tech communications equipment is greatly enhanced by foreign language skills. Deeply involved with this new technology is a breed of modem business people who have a growing respect for the economic value of doing business abroad. In modem markets, success overseas often helps support domestic business efforts. Overseas assignments are becoming increasingly important to advancement within executive ranks. The executive stationed in another country no longer need fear being "out of sight and out of mind." He or she can be sure that the overseas effort is central to the company's plan for success, and that promotions often follow or accompany an assignment abroad. If an employee can succeed in a difficult assignment overseas, superiors will have greater confidence in his or her ability to cope back in the United States where cross-cultural considerations and foreign language issues are becoming more and more prevalent. Thanks to a variety of relatively inexpensive communications devices with business applications, even small businesses in the United States are able to get into international markets. English is still the international language of business. But there is an ever-growing need for people who can speak another language. A second language isn't generally required to get a job in business, but having language skills gives a candidate the edge when other qualifications appear to be equal. The employee posted abroad who speaks the country's principal language has an opportunity to fast-forward certain negotiations, and can have the cultural insight to know when it is better to move more slowly. The employee at the home office who can communicate well with foreign clients over the telephone or by fax machine is an obvious asset to the firm.
单选题
What is the author's attitude toward high-tech communications equipment? A. Critical. B. Prejudiced. C. Indifferent. D. Positive.
单选题
With the increased use of high-tech communications equipment, business people A. have to get familiar with modem technology. B. are gaining more economic benefits from domestic operations. C. are attaching more importance to their overseas business. D. are eager to work overseas.
【正确答案】
C
【答案解析】细节题。根据第二段，尤其是第一句话中的定语从句“…who have a growing respect for the economic value of doing business abroad.”，可知，C正确。文中没有提到A的意思；B在文中说的是oversea(海外的，国外的)，而B中用的是domestic(国内的)，所以不对；文中只是说公司管理层不必再担心因在海外工作而成绩不为公司总部所知，并没有说他们热切地希望去海外工作，并且business people并不等同于the executive，所以D不对。
单选题
In this passage, "out of sight and out of mind" (Para. 3) probably means A. being unable to think properly for lack of insight. B. being totally out of touch with business at home. C. missing opportunities for promotion when abroad. D. leaving all care and worry behind.
【正确答案】
C
【答案解析】词义题。根据第三段中的“He or she can be sure…an assignment abroad.”以及“If an employee can succeed…more prevalent.”可知，C项正确。文中没有提到A的意思；B的表述不确切；D没有正确反映文章的原意。
单选题
According to the passage, what is an important consideration of international corporations in employing people today? A. Connections with businesses overseas. B. Ability to speak the client's language. C. Technical know-how. D. Business experience.
单选题
The advantage of employees having foreign language skills is that they can A. better control the whole negotiation process. B. easily find new approaches to meet market needs. C. fast-forward their proposals to headquarters. D. easily make friends with businesspeople abroad.
【正确答案】
A
【答案解析】细节题。文章最后一段第一句话说“…has an fast-forward certain negotiation and can have the cultural insight to know when it is better to move more slowly”，指出了熟悉当地语言的人所具有的优势。A正是对这句话的概括。B、C、D都与文章的意思不符。