When companies do business overseas, they come in contact with people from different cultures. These individuals often speak a different language and have their own particular custom and manners. These differences can create problems. For example, in France, business meetings begin promptly at the designated time and everyone is expected to be there. Foreign business people who are tardy are often left outside to be kept waiting as a means of letting them know the importance of promptness. Unless one is aware of such expected behaviors he may end up insulting the people with whom he hopes to establish trade relations. A second traditional problem is that of monetary conversions. For example, if a transaction is conducted with Russia, payment may be made in rubles. Of course, this currency is of little value to the American firm. It is, therefore, necessary to convert the foreign currency to American dollars How much are these Russian rubles worth in terms of dollars? This conversion rate is determined by every market, where the currencies of countries are bought and sold. Thus there is an established rate, although it will often fluctuate from day to day. For example, the ruble may be worth 0.75 on Monday and 0.72 on Tuesday because of an announced wheat shortage in Russia. In addition, there is the dilemma associated with converting at 0.72. Some financial institutions may be unwilling to pay this price, feeling that the ruble will sink much lower over the next week. As a result, conversion ma finally come at 0.69. These "losses" must be accepted by the company as one of the costs of doing business overseas. A third unique problem is trade barriers. For one reason or another, all countries impose trade barriers on certain goods crossing their borders. Some trade barriers are directly related to exports. For example, the United States permits strategic military material to be shipped abroad only after government permission has been obtained. Most trade barriers, however, are designed to restrict imports. Two of the most common import barriers are quotas and tariffs.
单选题
What is the relationship between culture and international trade?
【正确答案】
C
【答案解析】C选项：在国际贸易中的误会可能是由不同的文化所致，文中第一段These differences can create problem。这些差异会产生问题，与该句意思相符。
单选题
What is done to tardy business people in France?
【正确答案】
A
【答案解析】第一段Foreign business people who are tardy are often left outside to be kept waiting.通常拖拉的外贸商会被置于门外等候……与A选项相符。
单选题
According to the passage, conversion rates ______.
【正确答案】
B
【答案解析】第二段This conversion rate is determined by every market...although it will often fluctuate from day to day.汇率是由每个市场决策的……虽然它经常天天浮动。由此选B。
单选题
The intended audience of this passage are ______.
【正确答案】
A
【答案解析】这篇文章是关于problems in doing international trade，即关于国际贸易中的一些问题。所以意欲读这篇文的读者应是A businessmen aiming at overseas market.目标为海外市场的商人。
单选题
What can we learn about trade barriers?
【正确答案】
C
【答案解析】本段“all”countries impose trade barriers... “some” trade barriers are directly related to exports.及后面Most trade barriers, however, are designed to restrict imports都可得出C选项。There are more import barriers than export barriers.
单选题
Which of the following is likely to be discussed in the next paragraph?
【正确答案】
A
【答案解析】本段末句Two of the most common import barriers are quotas and tariffs.最普遍的两个进口贸易就限额和关税根据文章段落间的联系，应承上启下，接着讲quotas and tariffs。