2020商务英语BEC中级阅读材料
2020年剑桥商务英语BEC中级阅读练习试题及答案

2020年剑桥商务英语BEC中级阅读练习试题及答案Questions 8-12l Read the text below about work uniforms.l Choose the best sentence from the opposite page to fill each of the gaps.l For each gap 8-12, mark one letter A-I on your Answer Sheet.Altered ImagesWe have teamed up with The Career and Workwear Show to find the best-dressed organization. Two hotel groups and a management center have made it to the shortlist.Uniforms project an instant image about a business, as well as creating a team spirit among staff. Choose the wrong workwear and you risk upsetting your customers and employees.Three entrants have been shortlisted in the competition to find the best-dressed business: Country Hotel Group, Goring Residential Management College and Major Hotels. (example) ----------.A detailed entry form set out to discover the thought processes the entrants had used before they selected their new uniforms. (8) ____. In addition to price and style the judges wanted to know how the organisation introduced the new look and what lessons it had learnt.The Country Hotel Group was looking for a uniform that was comfortable to wear and presented a relaxed country imageto guests. The firm admits to placing a great emphasis on the clothing and appearance of its staff. (9) ____. A brief was issued to a number of companies who then had to present their ideas in a fashion show format to 50 employees. After the design was chosen, one hotel tried out the uniform for three months. (10) ____The aim of the new uniform at Goring Residential Management College was to make staff instantly recognisable to course participants. The chosen design from Classy Rags established a clear corporate image at the college. There were many different outfits but only three fabrics had been used throughout the range and therefore the uniform waseasily recognisable. One of the judges in the competition, fashion journalist Sally Bain, was also impressed with the value for money aspect of the uniforms. (11) ____At Major Hotels a new uniform was needed to replace the old one which was considered to be ‘old-fashioned and unattractive.’ The new design was well received by the reception staff of the hotel chain. (12) ____. The newbottle-green uniforms were selected from Rayner Corporate Clothing. It was felt that it was a functional choice of colour and made a pleasant change from the more traditional black.l Do not use any letter more than once.A. Feedback was then collected from staff at the hotel and minor changes were made before the uniform was introduced across all hotels.B. The award will be presented to the competition winners at The Career and Workwear Show which will be held at Business Design Centre in London.C. They all believe that its introduction has led to a modern, more professional corporate image and greater confidence among them.D. One entry predicted that uniform fabrics would incorporate security aids which are read by sensors on doors and only allow access to authorised personnel.E. In her opinion this had been achieved at half the cost of the other entries, with the average cost per person being £201,and each uniform being expected to last two years.F. It asked why the uniform was introduced, who it was designed to be worn by, and how the firm went about selecting a supplier.G. She felt that the head receptionist at the hotel should be asked to put forward the views and preferences of the team.H. In its entry it said:‘Substantial investment has been made in this uniform because uniforms are seen as a very important area.I. One reason for this is that all three proved to the judges that they had thoroughly researched their choice of new uniforms.参考答案:8.F 9.H 10.A 11.E 12.C。
2020年商务英语BEC中级阅读练习试题及答案

2020年商务英语BEC中级阅读练习试题及答案Questions 13-20Read the article below about stress management, and answer questions 13-20 on the opposite page.A Lesson In Stress ManagementDemands placed on us at work can often lead to considerable worry and discomfort. There are, however, ways of protecting ourselves from the stress we face at work. We interviewed Jane Collard, a consultant in stress management.1. In Jane Collard’s opi nion, stress is becoming an increasingly common feature of the workplace. Stress is a highly individual reaction, which varies considerably from person to person, and it is difficult for some employees to avoid it. Indeed, stress is regarded by many as part of the organizational culture of our institutions: it comes with the job. Recent figures indicate that time taken off work because of stress has increased by 500 per cent since the 1950s. Undoubtedly, changes in working conditions have led to greater pressure at work at all levels. With reductions in staffing, workloads for individual employees have increased. In addition, many employees are left worrying about the security of their jobs.2. On the stress management courses that she runs, Jane Collard tries to make the trainees realise that stress in itself is not harmful. Everyone needs a certain level of stress to enable them to feel motivated and to perform effectively. A complete absence of stress can be as damagingas overstress, since it can make people lose interest intheir work, and even lead to depression. The difficulties occur when the amount of stress rises above a level which is healthy for a particular individual. If this happens, the effects are very obvious and the trainees are taught to recognize the signs. Stress may be expressed physically, for example through headaches and tiredness, or through emotional problems such as depression. A person suffering from stress may also start to behave differently, and can be difficult to deal with.3. While it may not always be possible to prevent stress, there are a number of ways in which it can be controlled. The first thing that the trainees learn is how to manage their time effectively. This involves, first of all, setting realistic goals for both the short and long term. Once this framework has been established, tasks are then prioritised on a daily basis. The trainees are also reminded that when they are under pressure the less important items should be left, and they should never hesitate to delegate. Everyone is encouraged to look at ways of reducing ’wasted time ’, for example by grouping similar tasks together or dealing with items immedkiately.4. Jane feels that one of the most useful features of the course is that it enables trainees to deal with those demands or deadlines that they regard as unreasonable. They are encouraged to avoid being defensive, but at the same time they are advised not to be afraid of saying ’no’. They are asked to give reasons only if necessary. The training helps them to foresee difficult situations or unwanted demands, and they learn how to prepare themselves mentally. Everyone isencouraged not to get stuck in negative thought patterns, where stress can feed a circular sense of helplessness. One solution they discuss is to think of a more encouraging alternative for each negative message. They learn, for example, to remind themselves that nothing terrible happens when a demand is refused or a deadline missed. Life goes on.Questions 13-16For questions 13-16, choose the best title for each numbered paragraph from the list below.For each numbered paragraph 1-4, mark one letter (A-G) on your Answer Sheet. Do not use any letter more than once.13 Paragraph 1 ______ 14 Paragraph 2 ______15 Paragraph 3 ______ 16 Paragraph 4 ______A Higher stress levels among top managersB Coping with stress through a positive attitudeC Time lost at work through sicknessD Causes of increased stress in the work environmentE Explanations for missed deadlinesF stress reduction through better organisationG Typical problems associated with stressQuestions 17-20Using the information in the text, complete each sentence 17-20 with a phrase A-G from the list below.。
2020最新BEC中级阅读材料精选

2020最新BEC中级阅读材料精选为了让大家更好的准备商务英语BEC考试,给大家整理了BEC中级阅读材料,下面就和大家分享,来欣赏一下吧。
BEC中级阅读材料:中国今年IPO融资将达610亿美元中国今年IPO融资将达610亿美元中国的能源集团中石油(PetroChina)将于本周在上海上市交易,届时,中国内地今年公开发行额将达到610亿美元的创纪录水平,领先于纽约、伦敦和香港。
The value of mainland China’s public offerings for this year will hit a record $61bn (?42bn, £29bn) this week when PetroChina debuts in Shanghai, leaving New York, London and Hong Kong trailing in its wake.中石油股票将于今日在上海开始挂牌交易,它在首次公开发行(IPO)中募集了89亿美元,成为今年中国规模的IPO。
PetroChina shares will start trading in Shanghai today, having raised $8.9bn in mainland China’s largest initial public offering this year.在中石油A股上市之前,近期A股市场进行了数次规模高达数十亿美元的发行,包括一些内地银行、保险公司及能源公司。
中石油目前是全球市值第二大公司,仅次于埃克森美孚(Ex.xon Mobil)。
The listing of China’s biggest energy group, currently the world’s second most valuable company behind Ex.xon, follows several recent multi-billion dollar A-share listings of Chinese banks, insurance and energy companies.中石油是中国石油天然气集团公司(China National Petroleum Corp) 的一家子公司,目前已经在香港证交所上市。
BEC商务英语中级阅读真题及参考答案

BEC商务英语中级阅读真题及参考答案 bec中级其实不算特别难,是介于cet4到cet6的难度,只要我们认真备考就会通过的,为了⽅便⼤家的备考,下⾯⼩编给⼤家带来2020年bec中级真题及答案。
BEC商务英语中级阅读真题 BUFFET ZONE Lucy Robertson started working at a takeaway food business to supplement her income during her student days at Edinburgh University, Several years later she had bought the business and now, 17 years on, she owns Grapevine Caterers, probably Scotland's leading independent caterers, with a turnover of almost £6m. She had never planned to own a business, and had certainly never considered a career in catering. (0)... ... . However, her unplanned career began in 1985, when she returned to Edinburgh and discovered that the takeaway she had worked in was up for sale. On impulse, she bought it, but admits that at the time she knew nothing about catering. (8).........It was a difficult time, but essential in terms of gaining the experience she needed. The late 1980s boom was good for business, with large numbers of office workers wanting takeaway food for their lunches. (9)........'At one point there were 26 food outlets within a 5-kilometre radius,' Robertson recalls. As the economy changed and the once packed office blocks started tobecome vacant, it became clear that Robertson would need to diversify.(10)........It changed the direction of the company for good. As Robertson began to win catering contracts, she decided that the company would have to move to larger premises. In 1994, the move was made when she bought another catering business that already had a number of profitable contracts for boardroom lunches. Meanwhile, Robertson's main competitor, the oldest catering company in Edinburgh, was causing her some anxiety.'Customer loyalty is not to be underestimated,' she warns. But Robertson is not someone who is easily put off.(11)........Partly as a result of this, turnover doubled, and having outgrown another site, Robertson bought a city-centre location for the group's headquarters. By now, Grapevine's main competitor was a new catering company called Towngates. Although Robertson tried to raise enough money to buy Towngates, she did not succeed.Then luck intervened and Towngates went bankrupt. (12)........Many accepted and the company's turnover went from £700,000 to £l .5 million almost overnight. However, the company's growth was not as smooth as it sounds in retrospect. Robertson admits, 'We were close to the edge during the growth period. Like many under-capitalised companies trying to grow, it might easily have collapsed.' But that, she feels, is the challenge of developing your own business. A But there are plenty of similar contracts to be won in the east of Scotland before Robertson turns her attention elsewhere. B Her way round this particular problem was to recruit the catering manager of the rival company. C But this demand was short-lived, and before long, increasing competition made it harder to make a profit. D 'It was a dramatic learning curve and very small amounts of money were earned at first,’says Robertson. E She decided that the solution, since many companies required working lunches for meetings with clients, was to prepare and deliver meals to business premises. F On hearing this, Robertson immediately contacted all of their clients and offered the services of Grapevine Caterers. G Instead, she studied accountancy after leaving university, and a steady if unspectacular professional path seemed set. BEC商务英语中级阅读真题参考答案 《Buffet Zone》,⾃助餐区域,在这篇⽂章⾥的意思应该是⾃助餐领域,讲的是⼀个在⾃助餐领域取得了惊⼈成绩的杰出⼥性创业的故事。
2020年商务英语考试(BEC中级)阅读理解练习题

2020 年商务英语考试(BEC 中级)阅读理解练习题For each statement(1-7),mark one letter(A,B,CorD)on your Answer Sheet.1、根据下面内容,回答1-7 题:Focus on what you do best. This age-old strategy has worked well for Real Networks.Microsoft's main competitor in multimedia software for the Internet. Now, the smaller Seattle-based firm is trying a novel way to contain the software giant. On October 29t",it released the underlying recipe, or source-code, of its Real layer software and will soon do the same for its other programs giving away a big chunk of its intellectual property.BThis may sound like a desperate echo of 1998, when Netscape, struggling in Microsoft's chokehold, published the source-code of its web browser (an initiative that yielded few real results until this June, when the first sedous new version of the open-source browser, Mozilla, was released). Yet Real Networks is not playing defense. It is trying to encourage the creation of a common multimedia software infrastructure for every kind of file format and device, thus thwarting Microsoft's ambitions in this promising market.The firm hopes that others in the industry (volunteer programmers, media firms and hardware makers) will take the code, called Helix DNA, mprove it and make it run on new devices, such as mobile phones and home stereos, turning Real Networks' software into an industry standard. Clever licensing termsare supposed to ensure that this standard does not splinter and that the firm still makes money.CIndividual developers, universities and other non-profit organisations can modify the software as they please and even redistribute it for free, so long as they also publish the source-code for their changes. This is a sort of payment in kind, for Real Networks is then allowed to use these contributions. Firms, on the other hand, must pay royalty fees if they distribute more than 1 m copies of the code. They also have to make sure that their software works with other Helix DNA products. The software's development community already has 2, 000 members. And several hardware makers back the effort. But there are risks. Afraid of piracy, media groups are suspicious of anything that might be related to hackers (although they also do not want to depend on, and pay for, technology controlled by Microsoft). The selfcreated competition could also hurt Real Networks if customers decide its commercial products, which will be based on the open source-code but with extra features, are not worth paying extra for.DReal Networks' move is another sign that the software industry is going hybrid. Mixing elements of proprietary software, where the source-code is tightly controlled, with open-source programs enable firms to expand a market, harvest the ideas of others and, they hope, still make money. Even Microsoft is edging this way :it recently announced that partners can now look at but not modify or reuse the sourcecodefor Passport, its controversial digital-identity service.In 1998 Netscape made a dangerous copy 。
2020年中级商务英语考试阅读材料2

2020年中级商务英语考试阅读材料2为了让大家更好的准备商务英语BEC考试,给大家整理了2020年中级商务英语考试阅读材料,下面就和大家分享,来欣赏一下吧。
2020年中级商务英语考试阅读材料一Lego Wants Your Old Legos Back – So It Can Give Them AwayAdele PetersIf you have a box of old Lego bricks sitting unused in an attic or garage, Lego now wants them back. In a new pilot program, consumers in the U.S. can dump old bricks in a box, print a free shipping label, and send them off to Give Back Box, a social enterprise that will clean the toys and repackage them for Teach for America and the Boys and Girls Club of Boston..“We want the bricks to be played with as much as possible,” says Tim Brooks, vice president of corporate responsibility at Lego Group. It’s a small piece of the company’s work to become more environmentally sustainable. The company has invested in windfarms in Germany and the U.K. that now produce more electricity than it uses at its factories, offices, and stores. It’s beginning to make its toys out of plant-based plastic instead of petroleum-based plastic; by 2030, it plans to make everything out of plant-based or recycled materials. And while the bricks themselves are recyclable –if someone lives in a city that accepts the right kind of plastic – the company wants to keep them in use.The classic Lego brick is made from a tough material called ABS, and the toys can be played with for decades without breaking. It’s already fairly common, of course, that Legos are handed down from one child to another. “We don’t want to compete with anything that’s already g oing on, if people are already giving bricks away to friends or family or local charities… it deserves to be played with by multiple generations,” Brooks says. But the company realized that there was an opportunity to put more of the toys back in use. In research, about 35% of its customers said that they would be “extremely likely” to participate in the new take-back program if they had access to it.The company looked for a partner that could process the used toys while maintaining Lego’s standard of qu ality. Give Back Box will steam clean the toys and repackage them by hand. “We want tomake sure that all kids are getting a great experience,” he says. “It shouldn’t be that you get a really inferior experience just because the bricks are donated.” If the pilot goes well, Brooks says, it may expand.He sees it as one version of the circular economy, a system of keeping materials in use – and argues that the toys themselves illustrate the idea of the circular economy. “You can build a rocket and then you can take it apart and build a ship, and take that apart and build a car or a house or whatever you like,” Brooks says. As toys are reused, that’s another circular system. “We want to show that great quality toys like Lego can be used in lots of repeating circles –used, reused, donated, used, reused, donated.”2020年中级商务英语考试阅读材料二Eating Mushrooms Every Week Appears to Lower the Risk of Prostate CancerKashmira GanderEating mushrooms could lower a man’s risk of developing prostate cancer, scientists believe. However, experts have stressed no single food is known to lower a person’s risk of developing the disease by itself.。
2020年BEC中级阅读理解练习题

2020年BEC中级阅读理解练习题为了让大家更好的准备商务英语BEC中级考试,给大家带来BEC中级阅读习题,下面就和大家分享,来欣赏一下吧。
2020年BEC剑桥商务英语中级阅读理解练习题一In 1620, about half the USA was covered by forests. Today the forests have almost gone. A lot of good land has gone with them, leaving only sand. China doesn’t want to copy the USA’s example. We’re planting more and more trees. We’ve built the " Great Green Wall" of trees across northern part of our country.The Great Green Wall is 7,000 kilometres long, and between 400 and 1,700 kilometres wide. It will stop the wind from blowing the earth away. It will stop the sand from moving towards the rich farmland in the south. More "Great Green Walls" are needed. Trees must be grown all over the world. Great Green Walls will make the world better.根据短文内容,选择正确答案。
1.In 1620, about ______ the USA was covered by forests.A.a thirdB.halfC.two thirdsD.a fourth2.A lot of good land has gone with ______.A.sandB.waterC.windD.forests3.The Great Green Wall in China is ______ long.A.7,000 kilometersB.1,700 kilometersC.7,000 metersD.400 kilometers4.Trees must be grown in ______.A.ChinaB.the USAC.some countriesD.every part of the world5.______ will make the world better.A.The Great WallB.Tall buildingsC.Great Green WallsD.Flowers and grass【参考答案】1-5 BDADC2020年BEC剑桥商务英语中级阅读理解练习题二A friend of mine was fond of drawing horse. He drew the horses very well,but he always began the tail. Now it is the Western rule to begin at the head of the horse, that is why I was surprised. Itstruck me that it could not really make any difference whether the artist begins at the head or the tail or the belly(肚子) or the foot of the horse, if he really knows his business. And most great artists who really know their business do not follow o ther people’s rule.They make their own rules. Every one of them does his work in a way peculiar(奇特的) to himself; and the peculiarity means only that he finds it more easy考生如果怕自己错过考试报名时间和考试时间的话,可以免费预约短信提醒,届时会以短信的方式提醒大家报名和考试时间。
BEC中级阅读(2020级)复习真题 Tes 5.docx

headquarters in the home country, R&D facilities should be close to these. Today, however, leading manufacturing companies are increasingly establishing a presence at different locations around the world. This enables them to benefit from the research of foreign companies and institutions of higher education. These manufacturing companies need to move products from development to market very quickly. The intention is that the new R&D facilities familiarise themselves with a number of markets around the world, and recommend when to enter each of them with the company's new products.There are two main types of overseas R&D facilities. The first absorbs information from universities and other institutions in the foreign country. The second gives support to production sites based in the foreign country. With the first type, the facility will normally be headed by a scientist, and information will flow from the facility to the central laboratory at corporate headquarters. The second type is run by a manager from within the company, and information flows in the opposite direction.With both types of facility, identifying a highly competent leader is crucial. In one case, CRS Components, a US electronics company, established an R&D facility in the UK. Although the engineer appointed to head the facility was an outstanding researcher, itbecame apparent that very few ideas were flowing back to corporate headquarters. At first, the problem was attributed to staff changes and slow scientific discovery. It emerged, however, that this was not the problem. In fact, the facility leader lacked the skills required to explain and promote research results within the company. Consequently, the number of staff attached to the facility remained small, and its productivity low.Companies also have to decide the best size for their R&D facilities. According to Tore Hansen, manager of a telecommunications R&D facility, 'A small facility doesn't command sufficient respect in the scientific community. Also, with a larger facility like ours, fixed costs can be spread more easily. However, an unfriendly working atmosphere can be a problem. At one point, staff at the facility were reluctant to walk into one another's offices to talk about research. We had to initiate a programme to make them feel less isolated; this involved sending researchers to different laboratory units at the facility.'R&D facilities abroad which are far from a company's powerful central laboratory are often particularly good at combining knowledge from different scientific fields into new products. Forexample, a Japanese manufacturer had an R&D facility in the UK which developed a successful new loudspeaker. The scientists located in the UK were no better qualified than their counterparts in Japan, but senior researchers in Japan acknowledged that a research team based in Japan probably wouldn't have come up with the product. The research management there was too focused on existing products and would not have encouraged the pioneering loudspeaker project. When companies set up a new R&D facility, it is important they integrate its activities into the company as a whole. Management must pay close attention to the facility's research agenda and create mechanisms to keep this in line with the company's overall objectives. But with the high high degree of uncertainty of R&D outcomes, continuous adjustments to research agendas will also need to be initiated.13According to the first paragraph, companies may move their R&D section abroad so that it canA operate more cheaply than in the home country.B specialise in products not sold in the domestic market.C advise when to launch products in different countries.D receive training from foreign higher education establishments.14What feature of the first type of R&D facility is mentioned in the second paragraph?A It passes information from universities to other organisations.B It is led by a member of the company's executive staff.C It is near to the company's manufacturing facilities.D It sends information back to the home country.15What was the cause of the difficulties at CRS Components' R&D facility?A the rate of staff turnoverB the speed of scientific discoveryC the failure of the head engineer to communicateD the inadequate research skills of the facility head16According to Tore Hansen, the researchers at his R&D facilityA became too expensive to employ.B rarely discussed their work with colleagues.C believed they were not sufficiently respected.D asked to move to a different section at the facility.17According to the fifth paragraph, a new loudspeaker was developed in the UK, where researchersA had more freedom to develop new ideas.B shared information more effectively.C had a higher level of qualifications.D had access to more resources.18According to the final paragraph, one role of managers is toA hold regular meetings to decide on R&D objectives.B improve predictions of the outcomes of R&D work.C divide responsibilities fairly among R&D staff.D ensure that R&D reflects corporate goals.PART FOURQuestions 19-33Read the article below giving advice about flexible working hours.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.Flexible Working HoursIf you're (0) ..Efor introducing flexible working hours in your company, howdo you do it.A policy of flexible working hours should (19)operational benefits for yourorganisation, and a better work/life balance for your staff. For example, it could (20)longer business opening hours and having people in the office whenthey're really needed, not when standard working hours (21) Employersshould also benefit from better morale and improved recruitment and retention of staff. Every company and workforce is different, so look (22) what your staffwant, and (23) how the needs of the business would be (24) byflexible working hours. Different employees may have different needs: parents like time off in school holidays, while young, single employees may prefer a later start. The introduction of flexible working (25) a good opportunity to re-examine how you operate. It's surprising how many jobs can be flexible, but if somebodywants to work flexible hours and their job doesn't (26) it, it may beadvisable to move that person. It's also important to ensure that line managers (27) the policy consistently. There's no (28) in one managerpermitting a member of staff to work flexible hours if another manager doesn't. Up-to-date records will keep you informed about when staff are working. In customer service jobs, shifts must beproperly covered and in an office (29)you can't ask for something to be done by the next day if the relevantperson isn't there.In order to (30)if there's a business case for flexible working hours, checkabsenteeism, staff turnover and key (31) indicators. When reaching adecision, you will need to (32)into account savings such as reduced office(33)as well as extra costs like longer opening hours19 A cause B propose C offerD suggest20 A lead B mean C result D intend21 A demand B ask C direct D insist22 A through B up C overD into23 A regard B consider C reckon D consult24 A met B completed C suited D kept25 A sets B provides Ccontributes D arranges26 A admit B give C letD allow27 A force B apply C driveD carry28 A purpose B objective C pointD goal29 A location B position c siteD environment30 A secure B establish C create D fix31 A performance B development C production D capacity32 A bring B put c takeD make33 A space B room c areaD placePART FIVEQuestions 34-45Read the letter below promoting the services of a company that writes technical documents.In most of the lines 34-45 there is one extra word. It is either grammatically incorrect or does not fit in with the meeting 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 CAPTAL LETTERS on your Answer Sheet.The exercise begins with two examples. (0) and (00).0 We hope you can take a moment to look at the materials as we have enclosed 00 describing the work that we do at Communications Design.Our companyoffers a unique service to give all companies that manufacture technical34equipment. We design and write those documents such as instruction manualsso that they can be easily understood by all users of the manufacturers35products, and whatever their technical background. Recent market research hasquite indicated that there is a strong relationship between well-written manuals36and marketing success. Although inside the pack of materials which accompany37to this letter you will find samples of work we have done for clients, ranging38from mobile phone companies to such manufacturers of domestic appliances. Ourrepresentative will be in your area all next week, and would be glad to39call at your office to discuss with your company's requirements regarding40technical literature. In the meantime, we would be happyto answer before41any questions you might have wanted about our services, by telephone or email.Yours sincerelyJames BerggruenMarketing ManageRead the review below of a book which gives advice on running asuccessful family business.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).FAMILY BUSINESSESPeople like dealing with family businesses; the trick to make sure these firms surviveSome of the world's most powerful companies are also family-run businesses whose members exert a significant influence on the company's I business strategy. However; most family businesses fail to progress to the stock market or even the next generation, as Successful Strategies for Family Businesses, a book by business analyst Steve Owen, makes clear. (0)...G.….If this is achieved, owner managers can plot a course leading to both commercial success and good family relationships.Family businesses, the majority of them very small, account for about three-quarters of all companies in the UK, yet only 30% are handed down to the next generation and just 13% make it to the third. (8) Most notable is the ability of familybusinesses to provide customers with a friendly, personal service.Owen believes there are additional reasons for predicting a greater role for family businesses in the future. For example, he believes that more i and more consumers will expect companies to foster connections with the local community. (9)Failure to do so is without doubt an opportunity lost.Instead of re-examining traditional approaches to the running of family businesses, the book focuses on the case study of a family-owned technology company. The two brothers who run the company are having to resist moves by their relatives to gain greater control of the company's direction. (10)Thesemight include who is most suited to take over the business and who has no interest in the company's future.Owen believes that business has at least one area of concern it fails to discuss, sometimes with disastrous results. But it is possible to debate controversial matters in a structured way and at a neutral location such as a conference facility. He also recommends that the founders of family businesses determine the level of commitment that each family member should have to the firm. (11) If this is the case, it is important to ensure their talents are developed and appropriate qualifications are gainedOnce these questions have been addressed, drawing up a strategy should be relatively straightforward and dealing with the more common problems of ownership should become easier. Nevertheless, Owen points outthe importance of having non-family members involved in the running of the company. (12) Preparing for such an eventuality is go a long way tosecuring the company's survival.Example:0 A B C D E F GA This is essential in case a dispute occurs and it becomes necessary to have independent executives acting as mediators.B This and similar examples illustrate the need for the family to take priority.C When faced with such conflict the key, according to the book, lies in families being preparedto talk openly about important business issues.D This poor survival rate is somewhat surprising given the apparent advantages they offer.E Clearly, a good family business is in an ideal position to do this and owner managers who areforward-thinking can develop such links to their advantage.F This will involve establishing whether they are willing to accept the day-to-day responsibilities of running a business.G It demonstrates that family businesses usually struggle to succeed unless family members。
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2020商务英语BEC中级阅读材料为了让大家更好的准备商务英语BEC中级考试,给大家带来BEC中级阅读材料,下面就和大家分享,来欣赏一下吧。
1.商务英语中级考试阅读材料:喝酸奶有益于牙齿健康Eating yogurt and other foods laden with lactic acid may keep your gums from receding and teeth from falling out, Japanese researchers report.Dr. Yoshihiro Shimazaki and colleagues found that consuming yogurt and lactic acid drinks was significantly associated with better periodontal health."But, milk and cheese were not," Shimazaki said.Periodontal disease is a chronic bacterial condition associated with receding gums and tooth loss. Outside of regular brushing and flossing, effective measures to allay this disease are limited, Shimazaki, of Kyushu University in Fukuoka, Japan, and colleagues note in the Journal of Periodontology.Previous research identified a lower occurrence of periodontal disease among people who eat high amounts of dairy products, but did not identify which dairy products were most beneficial, the researchers report.Shimazaki’s team assessed the severity of periodont al disease in 942 men and women, aged 40 to 79 years, and their intake of milk, cheese, and lactic acid foods.They found that people with generalized (more advanced) periodontal disease had a lower intake of lactic acid foods than people with localized (less advanced) periodontal disease.Compared with individuals reporting no lactic acid food intake, those eating 55 grams or more of yogurt (half an 6-ounce carton) or lactic acid drinks a day had significantly fewer markers of severe periodontal disease. The investigators made allowances for factors such as age, gender, smoking, alcohol intake, frequency of tooth brushing, blood sugar and cholesterol levels.日本研究人员日前称,吃酸奶等富含乳酸的食物能防止牙龈萎缩和牙齿脱落。
喜田岛崎博士及其同事发现,喝酸奶及其它乳酸饮料能显著改善牙周健康。
岛崎博士说:“但牛奶和乳酪没有这种功效。
”牙周病是一种慢性细菌感染性疾病,会引起牙床萎缩和牙齿脱落。
日本福冈九州岛大学的岛崎教授及其同事在《牙周病学》期刊中提到,除了勤刷牙和用牙线清洁牙齿外,能够有效缓解这一疾病的方法比较有限。
研究人员在报告中称,此前的研究发现,食用大量乳制品的人患牙周病的几率较低,但未发现哪种乳制品的作用突出。
岛崎教授领导的研究小组对942名年龄在40岁至79岁之间的男性和女性进行了调查,主要对他们所患牙周炎的严重程度以及摄入的牛奶、乳酪和乳酸类食品量进行了评估。
他们发现,弥漫性重度牙周炎患者所摄入的乳酸类食品量比局限性轻度牙周炎患者少。
与自称从不吃乳酸类食品的人相比,每天摄入酸奶或其它乳酸饮品55克或更多的人有严重牙周病症状的明显较少。
研究人员还考虑到了年龄、性别、吸烟、饮酒、刷牙频率、血糖及胆固醇水平等各项因素。
Vocabulary:be laden with:富含……fall out: 脱落intake:摄入量make allowances for:考虑到……2.商务英语中级考试阅读材料:投行今年亚太佣金收入对于投资银行业而言,20XX年是它们亚洲业务利润为丰厚的一年,但今年却开局不利。
Investment banks have suffered a poor start to the year in Asia after their most profitable year in the region in 20XX.因敢于在市场动荡情况下上市的公司数量减少,投行的股票资本市场收入大幅下降。
Revenues from equity capital markets have fallen sharply as fewer companies have braved turbulent market conditions to go public.数据提供商汤姆森金融(Thomson Financial)的数据显示,今年截至上周五,在不包括日本在内的亚洲地区,瑞银(UBS)、瑞士信贷(Credit Suisse)、摩根士丹利(Morgan Stanley)和高盛(Goldman Sachs)的佣金收入分别下降了44.1%至70.9%。
UBS, Credit Suisse, Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs saw fees fall between 44.1 per cent and 70.9 per cent in Asia excludingJapan this year up until last Friday, according to Thomson Financial, the data provider.由于许多公司推迟或取消了首次公开发行(IPO)计划,宁愿等待更好的上市时机,投行今年在亚洲面临的市况非常艰难。
作为亚洲地区股市表现的衡量指标,摩根士丹利资本国际不包括日本的亚太指数(MSCI Asia Pacific ex-Japan index)今年已下跌约18%。
The region has been a tough market for banks after a large number of companies postponed or cancelled initial public offerings, preferring to wait for better opportunities to sell shares. The MSCI Asia excluding Japan index, a barometer of the region’s stock markets, has fallen about 18 per cent this year.来自股票和债券资本市场的佣金收入分别下降了15.9%和52.3%。
但收购活动仍在继续,亚洲并购交易佣金收入为此增长了3.6%,达到13.8亿美元。
Fees earned from equity and debt capital markets fell 15.9 per cent and 52.3 per cent respectively. But continued takeover activity saw fees from Asian mergers and acquisitions increase 3.6 per cent to $1.38bn.在亚洲佣金总收入排行榜上,包括中国铁建(China Railway Construction Corp) 54.4亿美元IPO在内的几笔大交易,推动中国中信证券(Citic Securities)的排名从去年的第13位上升至第三位。
China’s Citic Securities rose to third in the league table of overall fee revenues in the region, up from number 13 in 20XX, thanks to several large deals including the $5.44bn IPO by China Railway Construction Corp.瑞银在排行榜上名列榜首,尽管该行今年以来的收入下降了53.3%,从去年的1.71亿美元降至8000万美元。
这家瑞士银行近80%的收入来自并购交易佣金。
排名第二和第三的分别是花旗集团(Citigroup)和中信证券。
名列前五的还有美林(Merrill Lynch)和JP摩根(JPMorgan)。
UBS topped the league table in spite of a 53.3 per cent plunge in revenues from $171m last year to $80m so far this year. The Swiss bank, which derived nearly 80 per cent of fees from MA, is followed by Citigroup and Citic. Merrill Lynch and JPMorgan took the other top five places.中信证券收入飙升425.1%,至5590万美元。