A major new development in system of work in Britain is taking place. Flexible working hours, or “Flextime”, are catching on fast, and trend is continuing. In 1973, over 500 organizations had adopted the idea, and by 1974, this number had risen to over 200,000.
Flexible working hours were invented in Germany in the late 1960’s, but reached Britain only in 1972. The system allows workers to start and finish work whenever they want, with only two requirements. These are, firstly, that all workers must present for certain “key” times in the day, and secondly, that all workers must work an agreed total number of hours per week.
The system had proved a total success wherever it has been tried. A survey of 700 workers on flexible hours showed three main advantages: a better balance between working and private life, avoidance of the need to travel during rush hours and the ability to finish a certain task before leaving.
From the employer’s point of view, the system tends to increase productivity, reduce labour turnover and give workers a greater sense of duty. At first, “Flexible” was mainly confined to white-collar workers, but it is now being applied to manual workers too.
【小题1】According to “Flextime” system, workers need not .A．work at the same timeB．work all the weekdaysC．work hardD．ask for leave when being absent【小题2】“Key” time is a period when .A．visitors e to the plantsB．all workers must be at workC．employers go round in the workshopD．rush hours are over【小题3】No matter where it is used, this system has proved .A．entirely effectiveB．totally correctC．a plete failureD．quite difficult【小题4】One of the great advantages of “Flextime” for workers is that they .A．have a great sense of dutyB．can avoid busy trafficC．can get higher payD．can avoid working hardA
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(答案→)A
解析：本文主要介绍了英国的“Flextime”给工人带来的各种好处。
【小题1】A 推理题。根据文章第二段2,3行The system allows workers to start and finish work whenever they want, with only two requirements.说明工人可以在自己喜欢的时间工作，不必要同时在一起工作，故A正确。
【小题2】B 推理题。根据These are, firstly, that all workers must present for certain “key” times in the day, and secondly, that all workers must work an agreed total number of hours per week.说明这里的key应该就是指一些关键的时间点上，需要所有的人都到位，协同合作。故B正确。
【小题3】A 推理题。根据文章最后2段The system had proved a total success wherever it has been tried.和From the employer’s point of view, the system tends to increase productivity, reduce labour turnover and give workers a greater sense of duty说明这样的系统很有效率，故A正确。
【小题4】B 细节题。根据文章倒数第二段a better balance between working and private life, avoidance of the need to travel during rush hours and the ability to finish a certain task before leaving.说明这样的“Flextime”可以让工人避开上下班高峰期。故B正确。