How to approach Reading Test Part Three
•In this part of the Reading Test you read a longer text and answer six questions.
•First read the questions. Try to get an idea of what the text will be about. Then read the text quickly for general understanding.
•Then read the text and questions more carefully, choosing the best answer to each question. Do not choose an answer just because you can see the same words in the text.
•Read the article below about communication 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.
How well do you communicate？
In today's fast-paced work environment, communication can come low down on your list of priorities. If you can't remember the last time you spoke to some of your friends, how do you find time to brief thousands of employees on a regular basis？ That said, internal communication plays an integral part in any healthy business strategy. If done well it ensures that staff are kept abreast of the visions and values of the company they work for; if done badly it can lead to speculation and rumour.
Jenny Davenport, a director of the change management and communications consultancy, People in Business, says ongoing dialogue with staff is a necessity. 'You must educate employees to understand your business if you want them to perform,' she says. 'Unless you do, people will not trust you when times are bad.' Communication is also about discussion rather than rhetoric. Flat communication devices- email, intranets, employee publications - have a part to play but must be mixed with more interactive methods involving face-to- face contact to encourage response.
Remember that individuals are different and like to receive information in different ways,' adds Davenport. 'As well as written communication via intranets or traditional employee magazines, team managers must talk to staff about how what they de affects the business. Twice a year, ensure employees come face to face with senior management- a conference is ideal.'
Khalid Aziz, chairman of communications consultancy The Aziz Corporatior), feels that company-wide conferences are an ideal way to interact with large numbers of staff. 'It is important to organise and plan correctly,' he says. 'Have a clear aim before you start and be careful not to pack too much in - facts that can be communicated via email, for example, are a waste of conference space. Ask for response but don't ask for questions - it always sounds like a threat,' he adds. 'Get people to raise their hands if they agree with a certain statement about the company and then ask one person to elaborate.'
The intranet plays a big part in the communications strategy at One 2 One, says Nell Lovell, the company's director of communications. 'Our intranet touches everybody,' he says. 'We have set up cybercafes for staff who don't have PC access.' One 2 One's intranet carries news and general information and is supported by a monthly magazine mailed to homes, a weekly email update on matters of fact and webchats which staff are invited to join.
Getting feedback from employees is the key to hi- fi company Richer Sounds' communications policy. 'Like other businesses, we run a suggestions scheme. The difference with ours is the way it works,' says John Clayton, training and recruitment director. 'Our chairman Julian Richer reads every suggestion and we answer them all. Each proposal is rewarded with up to f25 cash - we find this is more motivational than a big prize to one employee once a year.'
What point is made in the first paragraph？
A．Pressures of work have a negative effect on social relationships.
B．Poor communication can create an atmosphere of doubt.
C．Keeping records of employees should be a high priority.
D．Communicating effectively can take up a lot of time.
How to approach Reading Test Part Four
•This part of the Reading Test tests your vocabulary
•Read the whole text quickly to find out what it is about. As you read, try to predict the words that might fill the gaps.
•Look at the four possible answers for each gap and cross out any obviously incorrect words.
•Then read both before and after each gap to decide which word should go in it. The word needs to fit both the meaning and the grammar
•After completing all the gaps, read the whole text again to check your answers.
•Read the article on the opposite page about an accountancy franchise.
•Choose the best word from below to fill each gap.
•For each question 21 - 30, mark one letter (A, B, C or D) on your Answer Sheet.
Asuccessful network of accountancy franchisees
TAXASSIST DIRECT is an accountancy franchise which probably has more business-minded franchisees than most in the white collar category Already, over 130 business professionals have joined the company as franchisees, (21) the brand's strong position within the UK management franchise sector.
Continued acceleration in network growth is (22) for the next few years, with the company expecting to achieve nationwide (23) within four years. As it receives around 100 (24) a month from would-be franchisees, this target looks realistic.
TaxAssist Direct's franchise network contains individuals from a broad (25) of professional backgrounds, including accountancy, banking, business and management. The company's initial and ongoing training programme (26) to ensure that new franchisees are well-grounded in accounting practices and running their own business.
New franchisees generally start from home to minimise early overheads, then establish a staffed office to expand their (27) for taking on work. Many of those who started working from home within the last six months are now ready to (28) on the next stage of business development.
Clive Marshall, one such franchisee, (29) the company's openness as being one of the deciding factors in making him choose to work with TaxAssist Direct. 'They really stood out in the quality of information they gave,' he explains. 'At every juncture, they answered my questions promptly by phone and then (30) up in writing. I was very impressed with the operation and the people.' Many of TaxAssist Direct's franchisees are equally enthusiastic, which seems to guarantee the company's continued success.
(21)
A．consolidating
B．amalgamating
C．incorporating
D．integrating
