BEC阅读：BEC中级阅读第十二课时

　　PART THREE

　　Questions 13-18

　　 Read the article below about Smithson’s, a British department store, 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.

　　Department Store Magic

　　For most of the 20th century Smithson’s was one of Britain’s most successful department stores, but by the mid-1990s, it had become dull. Still profitable, thanks largely to a series of successful advertising campaigns, but decidedly boring. The famous were careful not to be seen there, and its sales staff didn’t seem to have changed since the store opened in 1908. Worst of all, its customers were buying fewer and fewer of its own-brand products, the major part of its business, and showing a preference for more fashionable brands.

　　But now all this has changed, thanks to Rowena Baker, who became Smithson’s first woman Chief Executive three years ago. Since then, while most major retailers in Britain have been losing money, Smithson’s profits have been rising steadily. When Baker started, a lot of improvements had just been made to the building, without having any effect on sales, and she took the bold decision to invite one of Europe’s most exciting interior designers to develop the fashion area, the heart of the store. This very quickly led to rising sales, even before the good on display were changed. And as sales grew, so did profits.

　　Baker had ambitious plans for the store from the start. ‘We’re playing a big game, to prove we’re up there with the leaders in our sector, and we have to make sure people get that message. Smithson’s had fallen behind the competition. It provided a traditional service targeted at middle-aged, middle-income customers, who’d been shopping there for years, and the customer base was gradually contracting. Our idea is to sell such an exciting variety of goods that everyone will want to come in, whether they plan to spend a little or a lot.’ Baker’s vision for the store is clear, but achieving it is far from simple. At first, many employees resisted her improvements because they just wouldn’t be persuaded that there was anything wrong with the way they’d always done things, even if they accepted that the store had to overtake its competitors. It took many long meetings, involving the entire workforce, to win their support. It helped when they realized that Baker was a very different kind of manager from the ones they had known.

　　Baker’s staff policies contained more surprises. The uniform that had hardly changed since day one has now disappeared. Moreover, teenagers now get young shop assistants, and staff in the sports departments are themselves sports fans in trainers. As Baker explains, ‘How can you sell jeans if you’re wearing a black suit? Smithson’s has a new identity, and this needs to be made clear to the customers.’ She’s also given every sales assistant responsibility for ensuring customer satisfaction, even if it means occasionally breaking company rules in the hope that this will help company profits.

　　Rowena Baker is proving successful, but the City’s big investors haven’t been persuaded. According to retail analyst, John Matthews, ‘Money had already been invested in refurbishment of the store and in fact that led to the boost in sales. She took the credit, but hadn’t done anything to achieve it. And in my view the company’s shareholders are not convinced. The fact is that unless she opens several more stores pretty soon, Smithson’s profits will start to fall because turnover at the existing store will inevitably start to decline.’

　　13. According to the writer, in the mid-1990s Smithson’s department store

　　A. was making a loss

　　B. had a problem keeping staff

　　C. was unhappy with its advertising agency

　　D. mostly sold goods under the Smithson’s name

　　14. According to the writer, Smithson’s profits started rising three years ago because of

　　A. an improvement in the retailing sector

　　B. the previous work done on the store

　　C. Rowena Baker’s choice of designer

　　D. a change in the products on sale

　　15. According to Rowena Baker, one problem which Smithson’s faced when she joined was that

　　A. the number of people using the store was failing slowly.

　　B. its competitors offered a more specialized range of products.

　　C. the store’s prices were set at the wrong level.

　　D. customers were unhappy with the service provided.

　　16. According to the writer, many staff opposed Baker’s plans because

　　A. they were unwilling to change their way of working.

　　B. they disagreed with her goals for the store.

　　C. they felt they were not consulted enough about the changes.

　　D. they were unhappy with her style of management.

　　17 Baker has changed staff policies because she believes that

　　A. the corporate image can be improved through staff uniforms.

　　B. the previous rules were not fair to customers.

　　C. customers should be able to identify with the staff serving them.

　　D. employees should share in company profits.

　　18. What problem does John Matthews think Smithson’s is facing?

　　A. More money needs to be invested in the present store.

　　B. The company’s profits will only continue to rise if it expands.

　　C. The refurbishment of the store is proving unpopular with customers.

　　D. Smithson’s shareholders expect a quick return on their investments.

　　PART FOUR

　　Questions 19-33

　　 Read the advice below abut how to make meetings more effective.

　　 Choose the best word 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).

　　GETTING THE BEST OUT OF MEETINGS

　　Many people feel that meetings are a complete (0) …… of time and try to avoid them. However, they don’t have to be, as long as a few rules are (19) ……

　　Meetings are very rarely held without at least one day’s (20) …… This is because the first rules is that all the participants need to (21) …… for the meeting, not just the Chair. Being asked to (22) …… a meeting means you are seen as having something to (23) …… , so make sure this is the case. You should also ensure that any item you want to discuss is put on the agenda. If you are planning to (24) …… an issue you know is difficult, find out before the meeting if you have any (25) …… for your point of view.

　　If you are the Chair, there are three other (26) …… rules. Firstly, respect your participants by being punctual, always starting and ending on time. If you don’t, they’ll spend the (27) …… meeting looking at their watches and wondering how late you’re going to (28) …… them. Secondly, (29) …… a meeting only when it is absolutely necessary. Look closely at what you want to (30) …… in the meeting. If your aim is to complete a task that requires (31) …… or no discussion, ask yourself whether e-mail or the phone could do the job. Finally, invite only as many people as are needed to get the job done. Don’t, however, exclude people who may be able to (32) …… the best ideas, just because of their (33) …… in the organization.

　　19. A. observed B. watched C. seen D. copied

　　20. A. instruction B. direction C. notice D. advice

　　21. A. prepare B. arrange C. order D. manage

　　22. A. occupy B. place C. attend D. enter

　　23. A. send B. transfer C. pass D. offer

　　24. A. launch B. raise C. bring D. lift

　　25. A. assistance B. protection C. confirmation D. support

　　26. A. chief B. key C. top D. high

　　27. A. entire B. absolute C. major D. contain

　　28. A. restrict B. limit C. keep D. contain

　　29. A. tell B. do C. make D. call

　　30. A. acquire B. achieve C. reach D. possess

　　31. A. small B. little C. tiny D. short

　　32. A. contribute B. subscribe C. insert D. serve

　　33. A. scale B. degree C. rank D. priority