2008年商務英語（BEC）中級全真試題

  READING
  QUESTIONS 1-45
  PART ONE
  Questions 1-7

  Look at the sentences below and the job advertisements on the opposite page.
  Which job does each sentence 1-7 refer to?
  For each sentence, mark one letter (A, B, C or D) on your Answer Sheet.
  You will need to use some of these letters more than once.

  0 A B C D
  This post involves some secretarial duties.

  1 You will be responsible for the operation of a computer system.
  2 You must be able to forecast what people will want to wear.
  3 You will be able to work with people from many different countries and backgrounds.
  4 You will have a qualification which covers two subject areas.
  5 It is necessary to have worked in this sector before.
  6 You will need to keep in contact with the headquarters of the organization.
  7 The advertisement emphasises the need to have a suitable approach to important people.

  A
  BUSINESS MANAGERYou will be responsible for our global business within specific countries and   will have a good understanding of international distribution, possibly based on previous   experience, plus the ability to work in markets that are highly varied in their culture. You   will be fluent in a second language, be willing to travel extensively, and preferably have a   degree.
  B
  DEPARTMENT STORE BUYERBased at our head office in London, you will select and order stock from   our suppliers in Italy. You will need to predict fashion trends and build a strong relationship   with our Italian office. You will have gained your buying experience in women's fashion and will   hold a degree in design with a business studies component.
  C
  LEGAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATORAs head of the legal office, your work will include managing the   office IT network, typing reports, diary maintenance and supervision of another staff member.   You will need good organizational skills in order to keep ahead of a varied workload. You will   be dealing with senior executives and government offi cials, so a mature and efficient manner is   essential.
  D
  REGIONAL LEISURE SITES MANAGERYou will be responsible for budgetary planning, contract   negotiations, local marketing and effective administration. You will communicate frequently with   our main office using the latest technology. Your experience could be from any business sector   but you should enjoy outdoor life and will ideally possess an estate management qualification. 

  PART TWO
  Questions 8-12
  Read the extract below from an article about the coffee industry.
  Choose the best sentence from the list on the opposite page to fill each of the gaps.
  Each gap 8-12, mark one letter (A-I)on your Answer Sheet.
  Not use any letter more than once.
  Coffee is worth approximately $50-60bn per annum in terms of world sales. It is a truly   international commodity, and today more than 50 countries in the world grow coffee beans.   (example) ______I_____. ICO organization helps coffee producers and promotes coffee conumption   worldwide.ICO estimates that world production next year will reach 97.5 million bags.11.3   million bags higher than the current year. (8) ____________. As the largest producing country,   Brazil is particularly important in the coffee world. In 1994 Brazil was responsible for 25% of   world production, Colombia was next with 13.4%, Indonesia had 7.5%, Mexico 4.7%, Guatemala 3.8%   and Ethiopia and Vietnam were equal with 3.4%.Coffee is a tough crop, and can be grown in areas   where it is difficult or impossible to grow other crops. (9) However, disease is always problem   for coffee production, as we can see in some parts of South America at the moment.ICO is active   in educating farmers about avoiding disease and dealing with problems when they occur.The   distribution chain varies from country to country, explains Pablo Dubois. In most countries the   smaller farmers sell their crop to a local trader, who then sells it on to exporters. There are,   however, other distribution systems. (10) ____________. Some countries, like Vietnam, have   special government marketing organizations for coffee.Coffee prices often vary greatly from one   year to the next. In 1997, for example, there was a large rise in the world price, which was   immediately felt by the consumer. Rising prices always result in a drop in sales, which will   have a bad effect on those developing countries, which are highly dependent on foreign exchange   from coffee exports. (11)____________.In the opinion of Pablo Dubois, the biggest problem for   his organisation is to create greater consumer awareness of the different varieties of coffee   and different ways of preparing it. (12)____________. ICO is therefore concentrating its   promotional activities on Russia and China. It is also encouraging environmentally friendly   coffee production, and last year's seminar on coffee and the environment created a lot of   interest.The future looks bright for the coffee industry. It is estimated that consumption over   the next few years will continue to rise steadily. New markets like Eastern Europe and China are   expected to develop fast.

  A. As a result, the membership now represents 94% of all exporters and 60% of all importers.
  B. In some of these countries, this can amount to as much as 50% of all export earning.
  C. In North America, most consumers already have above average knowledge of the range available.
  D. For example, frost and wind are particularly damaging to coffee crops.
  E. Larger coffee growers, for example, frequently export directly.
  F. The main reason for this is higher Brazilian output as production recovers from weather   damage to crops.
  G. It is cultivated in mountain regions which can only be reached by animal transport, and in   other difficult areas where modern agricultural equipment cannot be used.
  H. This is because there is a demand for coffee in Germany, and it is also sold in the UK and in   the US.
  I. This make the coffee industry fairly universal, acc ording to Pablo Dubois, Head of the   International Coffee Organisation (ICO), based in London.   

  PART THREE
  Questions 13-20
  Read the article below about stress management, and answer questions 13-20 on the opposite page.

  A Lesson In Stress Management
  Demands 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 opinion, 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   damaging as overstress, since it can make people lose interest in their 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 ma y 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 is   encouraged 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 13-16
  For 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 managers
  B Coping wit h stress through a positive attitude
  C Time lost at work through sickness
  D Causes of increased stress in the work environment
  E Explanations for missed deadlines
  F stress reduction through better organisation
  G Typical problems associated with stress

  Questions 17-20
  Using the information in the text, complete each sentence 17-20 with a phrase A-G from the list   below.
  For each question 17-20, mark one letter (A-G) on your Answer Sheet.
  Do not use any letter more than once.

  17 Most people agree that the recent increase in stress is due to changes in ____________.
  18 The trainees are taught that the right level of stress at work is important for good.
  19 Trainees learn that one way of limiting stress is by deciding upon.
  20 One of the most important parts of the course is learning how to react to  

  PART FOUR
  Questions 21-35
  Read the text below about job prospects at the Provincial Bank.
  Choose the correct word A, B, C, or, D on the opposite page to fill each gap.
  Each question 21-35, mark one letter (A, B, C, or D) on your Answer Sheet.

  Employment Opportunities for Graduates with the Provincial
  BankThe Provincial Bank is one of the biggest (example) ____________ institutions in the U.K.   With its 1,900 branches and 58,000 employees, it has (21) ____________ a household name. Almost   4,000 of these employees (22) ____________ managerial or executive positions. The bank has an   outstanding (23) ____________ of profitability, which has been achieved by introducing   innovations at the same time as maintaining leadership of the (24) ____________. The bank's   comprehensive training programme concentrates on (25) ____________ the most important skills   that graduates need in order to (26) ____________ early management responsibility. Trainees take   responsibility for their own continuous self-development through visiting other branches and   departments, and by (27)____________ courses in m anagement skills. They also receive training   in order to increase their knowledge of the bank's (28) ___________. The bank supports (29)  ____________ of staff who wish to take professional examinations, and its Graduate Training   Scheme is (30)_____________ to the nationally recognized Diploma in Management.Obviously the   quality of its mangers is of (31)____________ importance to the bank's performance. It welcomes   good graduates in any subject area, (32)____________ they can demonstrate the ability to   influence events, and have the potential to (33)____________ both as leaders and as part of a   team. Most graduate trainees join the Retail Banking division initially. Those starting on this   programme will soon have the (34)____________ to work in other parts of the bank and can (35)  ____________ a varied and flexible working life.

  Example:A budgetary B fiscal C financial D economic Example

  21 A opened B entered C turned D become
  22 A hold B do C keep D own
  23 A career B catalogue C record D experience
  24 A area B trade C record D market
  25 A making B reaching C developing D heightening
  26 A present B treat C deal D handle
  27 A observing B attending C involving D staying
  28 A services B goods C creations D abilities
  29 A colleague B members C people D persons
  30 A qualified B combined C fastened D linked
  31 A main B vital C necessary D superior
  32 A therefore B thus C provided D only
  33 A succeed B realize C gain D overcome
  34 A choice B chance C likelihood D probability
  35 A forecast B believe C suppose D expect

  PART FIVE
  Section A
  Questions 36-40
  Read the text below about a special kind of competition.
  In most of the lines 36-40 there is one extra word which does not fit. One or two 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.

  Ex amples:0 The international Youth Skills Olympics is a vocational skills competition in 0 C O   R R E C T00 which the young people demonstrate their achievements in a range of areas. 00 T H E

  36 The competition, which there is held every two years, is organized by the international
  37 Training Organisation. All U.K. competitors qualify for the team by getting through
  38 a tough national competition.Their backgrounds are vary from arts to sciences,
  39 and students to the self-employed. Since they do not know which skill area they
  40 will be tested in, they must to train for everything before the start of the competition.

  Section B
  Questions 41-45
  Read the text below about market research.
  In each line 41-45 there is one wrong word.
  For each line 41-45,write the correct word in CAPITAL LETTERS on your Answer Sheet.
  Examples:0 Your business will only success if customers like your product 0 S U C C E E D00 or   service and are prepared to give you money in exchange about it 00 F O R

  Market Research41 Before you start a business, it is importance to undertake market research42   and to assess the results with great care: you need to finding out about your43 potential   customers and the state of the market, included your competitors.44 The more detailed your   market research are, the more profitable your business45 is likely to be. Carry out your study   thorough, and repeat it to ensure your results are reliable. 

  WRITING

  QUESTIONS 46 and 47
  PART ONE
  Question 46
  You are the training manager of a company which has won a large export order. You have been   asked to organize foreign language training for some of your staff.
  Write a memo of 40-50 words to staff:
  explaining why the courses are necessary
  saying which members of staff should attend
  announcing when the courses will start
  Write on your Answer Sheet.

  RART TWO
  Question 47
  Your company exports to a number of countries ar ound the world. The company is looking for new   agents for international freight.
  Read the two advertisements below, on which you have made some notes.
  Then, using the notes, write a short report for the Export Sales Manager, covering all your   points and saying which agent you recommend.
  Write 120-140 words.
  Write on your Answer Sheet.

  UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE LOCAL EXAMINATIONS SYNDICATE
  Examinations in English as a Foreign Language
  BUSINESS ENGLISH CERTIFICATE

  Test of Listening

  PART ONE
  Questions 1-12
  You will hear three telephone conversations or messages.
  Write one or two words or a number in the numbered spaces on the notes or forms below.
  You will hear each recording twice.

  * Conversation one (Questions 1-4)
  Look at note below.
  You will hear a man phoning company about an order.

  Lewis & Thorn
  Printers
  Telephone Message
  Message for: Mark HansonOliver
  Martin rang from (1)_____________________________________. He hasn't received the (2)  __________________________________ he ordered for a (3) _____________________________ later this   month .Wants to change the quantity to (4) _______________________________ --- to be ready   tomorrow. Will fax details if needed.

  * Conversation Two (Question 5-8)
  Look at the notes below.
  You will hear a conversation between two friends about a job vacancy.

  Job with Alba as (5)________________________________________
  Responsible for (6) ________________________________________
  Must have knowledge of (7)__________________________________________________
  Apply by (8)______________________________________

  * Conversation Three (Questions 9-12)
  Look at the notes below.
  You will hear a telephone conversation about arranging a meeting.
  FINANCE MEETING
  Need to discuss (9)__________________________________________.Aim to produce new (10)   ______________________________________________.Check that the Sales Co-ordinator and the (11)  _______________________________ can come.Arrange for a (12)   __________________________________________ to be available. 
 

  PART TWO
  Questions 13-22
  Section One
  (Questions 13-17)
  You will hear five short recordings. Each person is talking on the phone.
  listen each recording, decide what is the main topic of their call.
  Write one letter (A-H) next to the number of the recording.
  So not use any letter more than once.
  You will hear the five recordings twice.

  13 ____ 14 ____ 15 ____ 16 ____ 17 ____

  A a departmental meeting
  B a job interview
  C negotiations with buyers
  D a visit to a factory
  E a shareholders' meeting
  F a training session
  G a conference
  H a visit to trade exhibition

  Section Two
  (Question 18-22)
  You will hear another five short recordings. Each speaker recently attended an interview.
  For each recording, decide what the speaker is saying about the interview they attended.
  Write one letter (A-H) next to the number of the recording.
  Do not use any letter more than once.
  You will hear the five recordings twice.

  18 __ 19___ 20___ 21___ 22___

  A I didn't express myself well.
  B I misunderstood the advertisement.
  C It was shorter than I expected.
  D I wasn't appropriately dressed.
  E It was poorly organized.
  F There were too many applicants.
  G I did too much preparation.
  H One of the questions surprised me

  PART THREE
  Questions 23-30

  You will hear a radio interview with Peter Williams about training within small businesses.
  For each question 23-30, make one letter (A, B or C) for the correct answer.
  You will hear the recording twice.

  23 What was Peter Williams doing immediately before he started his research?
  A He was managing the training department of a large company.
  B He was running a training programme at a university.
  C He was running his own small business.

  24 In his resear ch, what did Peter Williams find about training in small firms?
  A They spend too little on training.
  B They are unaware of their training expenses.
  C They receive state subsidies for training.

  25 Small firms do not have specific training budgets because
  A they do not want to invest in training.
  B they do not have time to provide training.
  C they do not plan their training.

  26 When calculating the cost of in-house training, many small firms do not include
  A course fees .
  B managers' time.
  C accountants' costs.

  27 What do the majority of small firms spend on training?
  A less than 1% of their payroll.
  B 1-5% of their annual payroll.
  C more than 10% of their payroll.

  28 Peter Williams thinks that the best training involves
  A observing an expert do the job
  B going on special training courses.
  C doing the job under supervision.

  29 Above all else, small businesses want training that
  A will answer their short-term needs.
  B does not require immediate investment.
  C will help their planning procedures.

  30 The first university courses for small companies will deal with
  A business growth.
  B computing needs.
  C structural change.

  You now have 10 minutes to transfer your answers to your Answer Sheet.