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 munication equipment is greatly improved by foreign language skills.
Deeply involved with this new technology is a kind of modem businesspeople who have a growing respect for the economic value of doing business abroad. In modern markets, success overseas often helps support home business efforts.
Overseas assignments are being increasingly important to advancement within executive ranks (管理层). 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 pany's plan for success, and that promotions often follow or acpany 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 being more and more popular.
Thanks to a variety of relatively inexpensive munication 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 official 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 municate well with foreign partners over the telephone or by fax machine is an obvious asset（资产）to the firm.
【小题1】What is the author's attitude toward high-tech munications equipment?A．Negative.B．Positive.C．Prejudiced.D．discontented.【小题2】With the increased use of high-tech munication equipment, business people .A．are eager to work overseas B．have to get familiar with modem technologyC．are attaching more importance to their overseas businessesD．are gaining more economic benefits from domestic businesses【小题3】In paragraph 3, out of sight and out of mind (Line 2-3) probably means .A．leaving all care and worry behind B．being totally out of touch with business at homeC．being unable to think properly for lack of insight D．missing opportunities for promotion when abroad【小题4】According to the passage, what is an important consideration of international corporations in employing people today?A．Ability to speak the customer's language.B．Connections with businesses over seasC．Technical know-how.D．Business experience.【小题5】The advantage of employees having foreign language skills is that they can . A．fast-forward their proposals to their bosses.B．better control the whole negotiation processC．easily make friends with business people abroadD．easily find new approaches to meet market needsB
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(答案→)B
解析：文章大意：文章主要讲述随着新科技的发展，商人们越来越重视国外贸易的价值。从事国际贸易的员工也需要学习客户国家的语言和文化，以便快速进行谈判。在国外的经理也不必担心不被提拔，因为国外业绩是重要的筹码。
【小题1】推理判断题。主旨大意题。根据文章第一段中And, of course, our ability to benefit from this high-tech munication equipment is greatly improved by foreign language skills.可以推测作者对高科技交流设备是持积极态度。故B正确。
【小题2】推理判断题。根据文章第二段中的Deeply involved with this new technology is a kind of modem businesspeople who have a growing respect for the economic value of doing business abroad.可知，商人更加重视国外贸易的经济价值。故C正确。
【小题3】词义推测题。根据文章第三段中的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 pany's plan for success, and that promotions often follow or acpany an assignment abroad.可知，在别的国家总经理不要担心他们不被关注，相反，提升常常依据国外的业绩。故D正确。
【小题4】推理判断题。根据文章倒数第二段中的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.可知，这说明要想得到工作，懂客户国家的语言是很重要的。故A正确。
【小题5】推理判断题。根据文章最后一段中的The employee posted abroad who speaks the country's official 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.可知会讲客户国家的语言有机会进行快速谈判，并且知道文化背景“在什么时候进展缓解慢”。故B正确。