bec 中级真题

PART ONE Questions 1 – 7 · Look at the statements be low and the text about time management on the opposite page. · Which section(A, B, C or D) dose each statement 1 – 7 refer to? · For each statement ! – 7, make one letter(A, B, C or D)on your Answer Sheet . · You will need to use some of these letters more than once. Example : 0 People choose to plan their work at different times. 0 A B C D 1 In order to complete a task well, it may not be necessary to deal with every detail. 2 If you have too much to do, you may need to turn down work in the future. 3 Any planning activity needs to take place on a regular basis. 4 You should avoid giving additional time to a particular task. 5 It is possible that some routine tasks do not need to be carried out. 6 If you are overloaded with work, it is important to identify the cause. 7 People at all levels perform time-wasting activities. Successful Time Management The secret of avoiding work pressure is thinking ahead. Every day you need to review your progress towards objectives and decide how you can best use the time available to make further progress. You may find this is best done at the start of your working day but some people prefer to have a planning session just before they finish. Whichever you select – and you may need to experiment to find what suits you best – find some way of fitting the activity into your schedule. Never say, ‘ I don’t have time to plan today ‘. Managers at all levels occasionally find they have taken on more than they can cope with. This is not a crime, but you must examine the reasons for such a situation and then plan a course of action. Until the problem is resolved, most of your time and energy will go to worrying about the situation and you will feel unmotivated. Think too about how to prevent it happening again. This may require you to be firm and avoid agreeing to more than is realistic. If a review of your working practices shows that you are too much of a perfectionist, do something about this. Modern definitions of quality refer to ‘fitness for purpose’. If you bear this in mind, you may find it easier to persuade yourself to settle for an acceptable level of quality rather than perfection. When thinking about objectives and planning how to achieve them, consider how thoroughly you need to do something in order to meet your requirements. Unless you have spare time, do not spend extra hours on an activity in an effort to cover absolutely everything. If your review of a period of time shows that you are spending time on things that are not really necessary or important, then think hard about whether you can afford this time. Many people file unnecessary papers and attend endless, unproductive meetings. Even top managers can be guilty of misdirecting their efforts by supervising subordinates too closely or failing to delegate. If you question on the necessity of certain work, you may find it easier to avoid these misdirected efforts and this will better inform your planning in the future. PART TWO Questions8 –12 · Read the article below about the importance of staff appraisals. · Choose the best sentence from the opposite page to fill each of the gaps . · For each gap 8 –12, mark one letter (A-G) on your Answer Sheet. · Do not use any letter more than once. · There is an example at the beginning.(0) Staff appraisals Good preparation for staff appraisals can pay dividends in terms of staff loyalty and satisfaction Many managers, particularly those running smaller companies, feel they are too busy to give their employees appraisals, and many staff clearly dread them. (0)____. They provide the opportunity for the manager to have one-to-one discussions with an employee and find out about any concerns, as well as identifying training needs and discovering career aspirations. They can make a staff member fell valued and so build loyalty. The annual appraisal can either be a rewarding or painful experience. According to research carried out among 500 employees, the standard office appraisal is far from perfect. (8)____. The possible outcome for the company is even worse: up to a quarter of employees will look for a new job within two weeks of a bad appraisal and 40% within a month. The quality of the appraisal lies with how the boss decides to carry it out. When it is done well, employees are able to use the feedback they receive to improve their performance . (9)____. So how should a constructive appraisal be carried out? According to Andrew Gillingham, a consultant trainer, appraisals can be manager-led, with the appraiser preparing a document and sharing it with the employee. Establishing training needs and motivating the employee towards bigger and better things are part of this progress. (10)____. In both cases, Gillingham believes that the effectiveness of the appraisal discussion can determine the performance of the company. Gillingham believes that anyone who thinks it’s just the employee who doesn’t like the appraisal experience has got it wrong. Too many managers regard appraisal as a waste of time. (11)____. Managing people is a difficult matter, and without the necessary training, many managers try to avoid the uncomfortable issues that often need to be discussed at appraisals. Gillingham believes that calling the process an appraisal may be unhelpful. (12)____. In either case, it is important to ensure that the meeting is successful and results in better quality management. Gillingham firmly believes that the main thing is to emphasise an open communications ethos in the workplace that gives staff a chance to talk about issues and feel valued. Example : 0 A B C D E F G A Alternatively, managers may want the employees themselves to evaluate their work performance. B In larger companies, the people likely to do something with this information will be found in the HR department. C Problems such as rushing through the appraisal and being appraised by a manager who doesn’t understand the employee’s role were common concerns. D Arguably, ‘performance review’ is more appropriate since it helps create correct expectations from the meeting and indicates what will happen. E This is mainly because they have not been shown how to carry out appraisals properly. F But all too often the formal of the appraisal doesn’t allow this. G But this can be avoided and, given a more positive attitude from participants, appraisals can prove enormously useful for all involved. PART THREE Questions 13– 18 · Read the article about below about problems in the IT industry and the questions on the opposite page . · For each question 13 – 18 , mark one letter (A, B, C or D ) on your Answer Sheet for the answer you choose. Problems in the IT industry In the information technology industry, it is widely acknowledged that how well IT departments of the future can fulfil their business goals will depend not on the regular updating of technology, which is essential for them to do, but on how well they can hold on to the people skilled at manipulating the newest technology. This is becoming more difficult. Best estimates of the current shortfall in IT staff in the UK are between 30,000 and 50,000, and growing. And there is no end to the problem in sight. A severe industry-wide lack of investment in training means the long-term skills base is both ageing and shrinking. Employers are chasing experienced staff in ever-decreasing circles, and , according to a recent government report, 250,000 new IT jobs will be created over the next decade. Most employers are confining themselves to dealing with the immediate problems. There is little evidence, for example, that they are stepping up their intake of raw recruits for in-house training, or retraining existing staff from other functions. This is the course of action recommended by the Computer Software Services Association, but research shows its members are adopting the short-term measure of bringing in more and more consultants on a contact basis. However, this approach is becoming less and less acceptable as the general shortage of skills, coupled with high demand, sends contractor rates soaring. An experienced contract programmer, for example, can now earn at least double the current permanent salary. With IT professionals increasingly attracted to the financial rewards and flexibility of consultancy work, average staff turnover rates are estimated to be around 15%. While many companies in the financial services sector are managing to contain their losses by offering skilled IT staff ‘golden handcuffs’ – deferred loyalty bonuses that tie them in until a certain date – other organizations, like local governments, are unable to match the competitive salaries and perks on offer in the private sector and contractor market, and are suffering turnover rates of up to 60% a year. But while loyalty bonuses have grabbed the headlines, there are other means of holding on to staff. Some companies are doing additional IT pay reviews in the year and paying market premiums. But such measures can create serious employee relations problems among those excluded, both within and outside IT departments. Many industry experts advise employers to link bonuses to performance wherever possible. However, employers are realizing that bonuses will only succeed if they are accompanied by other incentives such as attractive career prospects, training, and challenging work that meets the individual’s long-term ambitions. This means managers need to allocate assignments more strategically and think about advancing their business. Some employers advocate giving key employees projects that would normally be handled by people with slightly more experience or capability. For many employers, however, the urgency of the problem demands a more immediate solution, such as recruiting skilled workers from overseas. But even this is not easy, with strict quotas on the number of work permits issued. In addition, opposition to the recruitment of IT people from other countries is growing, as many professional believe it will lead to even less investment in training and thus a long-term weakening of the UK skills base. 13 According to the first paragraph, the success of IT departments will depend on A their success at retaining their skilled staff. B the extent to which they invest in new technology. C their attempts to recruit staff with the necessary skills. D the ability of employees to keep up with the latest developments. 14 A problem referred to in the second paragraph is that A the government needs to create thousands of new IT posts. B the pool of skilled IT people will get even smaller in the future. C company budgets for IT training have been decreasing steadily. D older IT professionals have not had adequate training. 15 What possible solution to the long-term problems in the IT industry is referred to in the third paragraph? A ensure that permanent staff earn the same as contract staff B expand company training programmes for new and old employees C conduct more research into the reasons for staff leaving D offer top rates to attract the best specialist consultants 16 In some businesses in the financial services sector, the IT staffing problem has led to A cash promises for skilled staff after a specified period of time. B more employees seeking alternative employment in the public sector. C the loss of customers to rival organizations. D more flexible conditions of work for their staff. 17 Employers accept that IT professionals are more likely to stay in their present post if they A are set more realistic performance targets. B have a good working relationship with staff in other departments. C are provided with good opportunities for professional development. D receive a remuneration package at top market rates. 18 According to the final paragraph, the UK skills base will be weakened by A changes to managers’ strategic thinking. B insufficient responsibility being given to IT staff. C the employment of IT staff with too little experience. D the hiring of IT personnel from abroad. PART FOUR Questions 19-33 · Read the extract below from a company chairman’s annual report to shareholders. . · Choose the best word or phrase to fill each gap from (A, B, C or D) on the opposite page. · For each question 19-33,mark one letter (A, B, C or D) on your Answer Sheet. · There is an example at the beginning, (0) Chairman’s Report I am pleased to report that, although we had been expecting poor results for this half year because of slow growth in the world economy, the company has (0)____ very satisfactorily. Operating profits for this first half are in fact very much (19)____ with those for the corresponding (20)____ last year. Profits reached ￡115 million before tax, compared with ￡116.3 million last year. Much of our success in the last six months can be (21)____ to the fact that all our major construction projects remained on schedule. Particularly pleasing was the early (22)____ of a major building contract in Canada. The company has made good progress with the initiatives announced at the Annual General Meeting. The majority of shareholders (23)____ the Board’s decision to sell the company’s loss-making engineering (24)____. It was the Board’s belief that the company would (25)____ most benefit by (26)____ its resources on the expansion of its construction activities. Negotiations with a potential buyer began in February and are now at a critical (27)____. However, we feel that we are not as yet in a (28)____ to comment on what the outcome is likely to be. In June, we made a successful (29)____ for the Renishaw Construction Company of Hong Kong, in order to give us greater (30)____ market in South East Asia. We still have sufficient resources to pursue our growth (31)____, and are at present (32)____ several other business opportunities which, like Renishaw Construction, would (33)____ new markets to us. Example : A acted B performed C behaved D worked 0 A B C D 19 A in order B on track C in line D on target 20 A session B term C season D period 21 A attributed B referred C assigned D designated 22 A termination B ending C completion D finalizing 23 A confirmed B maintained C agreed D supported 24 A portion B component C sector D division 25 A have B gain C find D earn 26 A focusing B directing C pointing D strengthening 27 A height B step C edge D stage 28 A condition B point C position D capacity 29 A request B price C demand D bid 30 A access B approach C admission D entrance 31 A strategy B process C promotion D system 32 A inquiring B deliberating C exploring D searching 33 A send B open C provide D give PART FIVE Questions34- 45 · Read the advertisement for a recruitment exhibition below. · In most of the lines 34- 45 there is one extra word . It is either grammatically incorrect of does not fit in with the sense of the text . Some lines , however ,are correct . · If a line is correct , write CORRECT on your Answer Sheet . · If there is an extra word in the line,write the extra word in CAPITAL LETTERS on your Answer Sheet . · The exercise begins with two examples, (0) and (00) . 0 Example : The Career Forum 0 If you work in the city center then a visit to the Career Forum, is the 00 city’s most successful recruitment exhibition, will give you the information 34 you need to determine whether you are making up the most of yourself . 35 Currently, there are advertising many new vacancies on the job market. 36 With good skills and a healthy work record in greater demand than ever, it is 37 the ideal time to ensure that your career is being on the right track.The Career 38 Forum has been responsible for helping many thousands of the people 39 improve their job potential, and it can do something the same for you . 40 Some of the best jobs in town never reach out the advertising pages, so 41 to be considered for one of these top jobs as they become available, 42 you will need to make closely contact with the employers’ agents. The Career 43 Forum is making the perfect opportunity. It is set in an informal atmosphere 44 and there is no pressure put; you can choose which agents you talk to. 45 So if you are looking for a new job, come and join us at the Career Forum.