GMAT阅读 ——（8）_GMAT
牐燱hile there is no blueprint for transforming a largely
爂overnment-controlled economy into a free one, the
爀xperience of the united kingdom since 1979 clearly
爏hows one approach that works: privatization, in which
(5) state-owned industries are sold to private companies. by
1979, the total borrowings and losses of state-owned
爄ndustries were running at about t3 billion a year. by
爏elling many of these industries, the government has
燿ecreased these borrowings and losses, gained over t34
(10) billion from the sales, and now receives tax revenues from
爐he newly privatized companies. along with a dramatically
爄mproved overall economy, the government has been able
爐o repay 12.5 percent of the net national debt over a
爐wo-year period.
(15) in fact, privatization has not only rescued individual
industries and a whole economy headed for disaster, but
has also raised the level of performance in every area. at
british airways and british gas, for example, productivity
per employee has risen by 20 percent. at associated
(20) british ports, labor disruptions common in the 1970’s and
early 1980’s have now virtually disappeared. at british
telecom, there is no longer a waiting list-as there always
was before privatization-to have a telephone installed.
part of this improved productivity has come about
(25) because the employees of privatized industries were given
the opportunity to buy shares in their own companies. they
responded enthusiastically to the offer of shares; at british
aerospace, 89 percent of the eligible work force bought
shares; at associated british ports, 90 percent; and at
(30) british telecom, 92 percent. when people have a personal
stake in something, they think about it, care about it, work
to make it prosper. at the national freight consortium,
the new employee-owners grew so
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 aconcerned about their
company’s profits that during wage negotiations they
(35) actually pressed their union to lower its wage demands.
some economists have suggested that giving away free
爏hares would provide a needed acceleration of the privati-
爖ation process. yet they miss thomas paine’s point that
“what we obtain too cheap we esteem too lightly.” in
(40) order for the far-ranging benefits of individual ownership
爐o be achieved by owners, companies, and countries,
爀mployees and other individuals must make their own
燿ecisions to buy, and they must commit some of their own
爎esources to the choice.
1. according to the passage, all of the following were
燽enefits of privatizing state-owned industries in the
燯nited kingdom except:
(a) privatized industries paid taxes to the government.
(b) the government gained revenue from selling state-
牐 owned industries.
(c) the government repaid some of its national debt.
(d) profits from industries that were still state-owned
牐 increased.
(e) total borrowings and losses of state-owned
牐 industries decreased.
2. according to the passage, which of the following
爎esulted in increased productivity in companies that
爃ave been privatized?
(a) a large number of employees chose to purchase
牐 shares in their companies.
(b) free shares were widely distributed to individual
牐 shareholders.
(c) the government ceased to regulate major industries.
(d) unions conducted wage negotiations for employees.
(e) employee-owners agreed to have their wages
牐 lowered.
3. it can be inferred from the passage that the author
燾onsiders labor disruptions to be
(a) an inevitable problem in a weak national economy
(b) a positive sign of employee concern about a
牐 company
(c) a predictor of employee reactions to a company’s
牐 offer to sell shares to them <
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 abr>(d) a phenomenon found more often in state-owned
牐 industries than in private companies
(e) a deterrence to high performance levels in an
牐 industry
4. the passage supports which of the following statements
燼bout employees buying shares in their own companies?
(a) at three different companies, approximately nine
牐牐爋ut of ten of the workers were eligible to buy
牐牐爏hares in their companies.
(b) approximately 90% of the ellgible workers at three
牐 different companies chose o buy shares in their
牐 companies.
(c) the opportunity to buy shares was discouraged by at
牐牐爈east some labor unions.
(d) companies
...
that demonstrated the highest
牐 productivity were the first to allow their employees
牐 the opportunity to buy shares.
(e) eligibility to buy shares was contingent on
牐 employees’ agreeing to increased work loads.
5. which of the following statements is most consistent
爓ith the principle described in lines 30-32?
(a) a democratic government that decides it is
牐 inappropriate to own a particular industry has in no
牐 way abdicated its responsibilities as guardian of the
牐 public interest.
(b) the ideal way for a government to protect employee
牐 interests is to force companies to maintain their
牐 share of a competitive market without government
牐 subsidies.
(c) the failure to harness the power of self-interest is an
牐 important reason that state-owned industries perform
牐 poorly.
(d) governments that want to implement privatization
牐 programs must try to eliminate all resistance to the
牐 free-market system.
(e) the individual shareholder will reap only a minute
牐 share of the gains from whatever sacrifices he or she
牐 makes to achieve these gains.
6. which of the following can be inferred from the passage牐
燼bout the privatization process in the united kingdom?
(a) it
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 adepends to a potentially dangerous degree on
牐 individual ownership of shares.
(b) it conforms in its most general outlines to thomas
牐 palne’s prescription for business ownership.
(c) it was originally conceived to include some giving
牐 away of free shares.
(d) it has been successful, even though privatization has
牐 failed in other countries.
(e) it is taking place more slowly than some economists
牐 suggest is necessary.
7. the quotation in line 39 is most probably used to
(a) counter a position that the author of the passage
牐 believes is incorrect
(b) state a solution to a problem described in the
牐牐爌revious sentence
(c) show how opponents of the viewpoint of the author
牐 of the passage have supported their arguments
(d) point out a paradox contained in a controversial
牐 viewpoint
(e) present a historical maxim to challenge the principle
牐 introduced in the third paragraph
passage 46
牐 as the economic role of multinational, global corpora-
爐ions expands, the international economic environment will
燽e shaped increasingly not by governments or international
爄nstitutions, but by the interaction between governments
(5) and global corporations, especially in the united states,
燛urope, and japan. a significant factor in this shifting
爓orld economy is the trend toward regional trading biocs
爋f nations, which has a potentially large effect on the
爀volution of the world trading system. two examples of
(10) this trend are the united states-canada free trade
燗greement (fta) and europe 1992, the move by the
燛uropean community (ec) to dismantle impediments to
爐he free flow of goods, services, capital, and labor among
爉ember states by the end of 1992. however, although
(15) numerous political and economic factors were operative in
launching the move to integrate the ec’s markets, concern
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 a
about protectionism within the ec does not appear to have
been a major consideration. this is in sharp contrast to the
fta, the overwhelming reason for that bilateral initiative
(20) was fear of increasing united states protectionism. none-
theless, although markedly different in origin and nature,
both regional developments are highly significant in that
they will foster integration in the two largest and richest
markets of the world, as well as provoke questions
(25) about the future direction of the world trading system.
1. the primary purpose of the passage as a whole is to
(a) describe an initiative and propose its continuance
(b) chronicle a development and illustrate its
牐 inconsistencies
(c) identify a trend and suggest its importance
(d) summarize a process and question its significance
(e) report a phenomenon and outline its probable future
2. according to the passage, all of the following are
爀lements of the shifting world economy except
(a) an alteration in the role played by governments
(b) an increase in interaction between national
牐 governments and international regulatory institutions
(c) an increase in the formation of multinational trading
牐 alliances
(d) an increase in integration in the two riche
...
st markets
牐 of the world
(e) a fear of increasing united states protectionism
3. the passage suggests which of the following about
爂lobal corporations?
(a) their continued growth depends on the existence of
牐 a fully integrated international market.
(b) their potential effect on the world market is a matter
牐 of ongoing concern to international institutions.
(c) they will have to assume quasi-governmental
牐 functions if current economic trends continue.
(d) they have provided a model of economic success
牐牐爁or regional trading blocs.
(e) their influence on w
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 aorld economics will continue to
牐 increase
4. according to the passage, one similarity between the
燜ta and europe 1992 is that they both
(a) overcame concerns about the role of politics in the
牐牐爏hifting world economy
(b) originated out of concern over unfair trade practices
牐 by other nations
(c) exemplify a trend toward regionalization of
牐 commercial markets.
(d) place the economic needs of the trading bloc ahead
牐 of those of the member nations
(e) help to ensure the continued economic viability of
牐 the world community
5. which of the following can be inferred from the passage
燼bout the european community prior to the adoption of
爐he europe 1992 program?
(a) there were restrictions on commerce between the
牐 member nations.
(b) the economic policies of the member nations
牐 focused on global trading issues.
(c) there were few impediments to trade between the
牐 member nations and the united states.
(d) the flow of goods between the member nations and
牐 canada was insignificant.
(e) relations between multinational corporations and
牐 the governments of the member nations were
牐 strained.
6. the author discusses the fta and europe 1992 most
爈ikely in order to
(a) point out the similarities between two seemingly
牐 disparate trading alliances
(b) illustrate how different economic motivations
牐 produce different types of trading blocs
(c) provide contrasting examples of a trend that is
牐 influencing the world economy
(d) identify the most important characteristics of
牐牐爏uccessful economic integration
(e) trace the history of regional trading blocs
7. which of the following best describes the organization
of the passage?
(a) an argument is put forth and evidence for and
牐 against it given.
(b) an assertion is made and opposing evidence
牐 pres
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 aented.
(c) two hypotheses are described and shown to
牐牐爄nconsistent with one another.
(d) a phenomenon is identified and illustrations of this
牐牐爌henomenon offered.
(e) a specific case of a phenomenon is discussed a
牐 generalization drawn.
passage 47
牐 in forces of production, david noble examines the
爐ransformation of the machine-tool industry as the industry
爉oved from reliance on skilled artisans to automation.
noble writes from a marxist perspective, and his central
(5) argument is that management, in its decisions to automate,
燾onspired against labor: the power that the skilled machin-
爄sts wielded in the industry was intolerable to management.
燦oble fails to substantiate this claim, although his argu-
爉ent is impressive when he applies the marxist concept of
(10) “de-skilling”-the use of technology to replace skilled
labor-to the automation of the machine-tool industry. in
automating, the industry moved to computer-based, digi-
talized “numerical-control” (n/c) technology, rather than to
artisan-generated “record-playback” (r/p) technology.
(15) although both systems reduced reliance on skilled labor,
noble clearly prefers r/p, with its inherent acknowledg-
ment of workers’ skills: unlike n/c, its programs were
produced not by engineers at their computers, but by
skilled machinists, who recorded their own movements to
(20) “teach” machines to duplicate those movements. however,
noble’s only evidence of conspiracy is that, although the
two approaches were roughly equal in technical merit,
management chose n/c. from this he concludes that auto-
mation is undertaken not because efficiency demands it or
(25) scientific advances allow it, but because it is a tool in
the ceaseless war of capitalists against labor.
牐
1. the author of the passage is primarily concerned with
(a
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
...
15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 a) reexamining a political position and defending its
牐 validity
(b) examining a management decision and defending its
牐 necessity
(c) analyzing a scholarly study and pointing out a
牐 central weakness
(d) explaining a trend in automation and warning about
牐 its dangers
(e) chronicling the history of an industry and criticizing
牐 its development
2. according to information in the passage, the term “de-
爏killing” refers to the
(a) loss of skills to industry when skilled workers are
牐 replaced by unskilled laborers
(b) substitution of mechanized processes for labor
牐 formerly performed by skilled workers
(c) labor theory that automation is technologically
牐 comparable to skilled labor
(d) process by which skilled machinists “teach”
牐 machines to perform certain tasks
(e) exclusion of skilled workers from participation in
牐 the development of automated technology
3. which of the following best characterizes the function
爋f the second paragraph of the passage?
(a) it develops a topic introduced in the first paragraph.
(b) it provides evidence to refute a claim presented in
牐 the first paragraph.
(c) it gives examples of a phenomenon mentioned in the
牐 first paragraph.
(d) it presents a generalization about examples given in
牐 the first paragraph.
(e) it suggests two possible solutions to a problem
牐 presented in the first paragraph.
4. the passage suggests which of the following about n
automation in the machine-tool industry?
(a) it displaced fewer skilled workers than r/p
牐牐燼utomation did.
(b) it could have been implemented either by
牐 experienced machinists or by computer engineers.
(c) it was designed without the active involvement
牐 skilled machinists.
(d) it was more difficult to design than r/p automation
牐 was.
(e) it was technically superior
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 ato r/p automation.
5. which of the following phrases most clearly reveals the
attitude of the author of the passage toward noble’s
central argument?
(a) “conspired against” (line 6)
(b) “intolerable to management” (line 7)
(c) “impressive when he applies the marxist concept”
牐牐(line 9)
(d) “clearly prefers” (line 16)
(e) “only evidence of conspiracy” (line 21)
6. the author of the passage commends noble’s book for
which of the following?
(a) concentrating on skilled as opposed to unskilled
牐 workers in its discussion of the machine-tool
牐 industry
(b) offering a generalization about the motives behind
牐 the machine-tool industry’s decision to automate
(c) making an essential distinction between two kinds
牐 of technology employed in the machine-tool industry
(d) calling into question the notion that managers
牐 conspired against labor in the automation of the
牐 machine-tool industry
(e) applying the concept of de-skilling to the machine-
牐 tool industry
7. which of the following best characterizes forces of
燩roduction as it is described in the passage?
(a) a comparison of two interpretations of how a
牐 particular industry evolved
(b) an examination of the origin of a particular concept牐牐牐牐牐爄n industrial economics
(c) a study that points out the weakness of a particular
牐 interpretation of an industrial phenomenon
(d) a history of a particular industry from an
牐牐爄deological point of view
(e) an attempt to relate an industrial phenomenon in
牐 one industry to a similar phenomenon in another
牐 industry
passage 48
牐 the sensation of pain cannot accurately be described as
牎發ocated” at the point of an injury, or, for that matter,
in any one place in the nerves or brain. rather, pain
signals-and pain relief-are delivered through a highly
(5) complex int
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 aeracting circuitry.
燱hen a cell is injured, a rush of prostaglandin’s
爏ensitizes nerve endings at the injury. prostaglandins are
燾hemicals produced in and released from virtually all
爉ammalian cells when they are injured: these are the only
(10) pain signals that do not originate in the nervous system.
燗spirin and other similar drugs (such as indomethacin and
爄buprofen) keep prostaglandins from being made by inter-
爁ering with an enzyme known as prostaglandin synthetase,
爋r cyclooxygenase. the drugs’ effectiveness against pain i
...
s
(15) proportional to their success in blocking this enzyme at the
site of injury.
牐 from nerve endings at the injury, pain signais move to
nerves feeding into the spinal cord. the long, tubular
membranes of nerve cells carry electrical impulses. when
(20) electrical impulses get to the spinal cord, a pain-signaling
chemical known as substance p is released there.
substance p then excites nearby neurons to send impulses
to the brain. local anesthetics such as novocaine and
xylocaine work by blocking the electrical transmission
(25)along nerves in a particular area. they inhibit the flow of
爏odium ions through the membranes, making the nerves
爀lectrically quiescent; thus no pain signals are sent to the
爏pinal cord or to the brain.
燫ecent discoveries in the study of pain have involved
(30) the brain itself-the supervising organ that notices pain
signals and that sends messages down to the spinal cord
to regulate incoming pain traffic. endorphins-the brain’s
own morphine-are a class of small peptides that help to
block pain signals within the brain itself. the presence
(35) of endorphins may also help to explain differences in
爎esponse to pain signals, since individuals seem to differ
in their ability to produce endorphins. it now appears that
a number of techniques for block
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 aing chronic pain-such
as acupuncture and electrical stimulation of the central
(40) brain stem-involve the release of endorphins in the brain
and spinal cord.
1. the passage is primarily concerned with
(a) analyzing ways that enzymes and other chemicals
牐 influence how the body feels pain
(b) describing the presence of endorphins in the brain
牐 and discussing ways the body blocks pain within the
牐 brain itself.
(c) describing how pain signals are conveyed in the
牐 body and discussing ways in which the pain signals
牐 can be blocked
(d) demonstrating that pain can be influenced by
牐 acupuncture and electrical stimulation of the central
牐 brain stem.
(e) differentiating the kinds of pain that occur at
牐 different points in the body’s nervous system.
2. according to the passage, which of the following is one
爋f the first things to occur when cells are injured?
(a) the flow of electrical impulses through nerve cells
at the site of the injury is broken.
(b) the production of substance p traveling through
牐 nerve cells to the brain increases.
(c) endorphins begin to speed up the response of nerve
牐 cells at the site of the injury.
(d) a flood of prostaglandins sensitizes nerve endings at
牐 the site of the injury.
(e) nerve cells connected to the spinal cord become
牐 electrically quiescent.
3. of the following, which is most likely attributable to the
爀ffect of endorphins as described in the passage?
(a) after an injection of novocaine, a patient has no
牐牐爁eeling in the area where the injection was given.
(b) after taking ibuprofen, a person with a headache
牐 gets quick relief.
(c) after receiving a local anesthetic, an injured person
牐 reports relief in the anestherized area.
(d) after being given aspirin, a child with a badly
牐 scraped elbow feels better.
(e) after
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 aacupuncture, a patient with chronic back pain
牐 reports that the pain is much less severe.
4. it can be inferred from the passage that if the
爌rostaglandin synthetase is only partially blocked, which
爋f the following is likely to be true?
(a) some endorphins will be produced, and some pain
牐 signals will be intensified.
(b) some substance p is likely to be produced, so some
牐 pain signals will reach the brain.
(c) some sodium ions will be blocked, so some pain
牐 signals will not reach the brain.
(d) some prostaglandins will be produced, but
牐 production of substance p will be prevented.
(e) some peptides in the brain will receive pain signals
牐 and begin to regulate incoming pain traffic.
passage 49
牐 traditionally, the first firm to commercialize a new
爐echnology has benefited from the unique opportunity to
爏hape product definitions, forcing followers to adapt to a
standard or invest in an unproven alternative. today, how-
( 5) ever, the largest payoffs may go to companies that lead in
燿eveloping integrated approaches for successful mass
爌roduction and distribution.
燩roducers of the beta format for videocassette r
...
ecorders
(vcr’s), for example, were first to develop the vcr com-
(10) mercially in 1975, but producers of the rival vhs (video
home system) format proved to be more successful at
forming strategic alliances with other producers and
distributors to manufacture and market their vcr format
seeking to maintain exclusive control over vcr distri-
(15) bution. beta producers were reluctant to form such alli-
ances and eventually lost ground to vhs in the compe-
tition for the global vcr market.
despite beta’s substantial technological head start and
the fact that vhs was neither technically better nor cheaper
(20) than beta, developers of vhs quickly turned a slight earl
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 ay
lead in sales into a dominant position. strategic alignments
with producers of prerecorded tapes reinforced the vhs
advantage. the perception among consumers that prere-
corded tapes were more available in vhs format further
(25) expanded vhs’s share of the market. by the end of the
1980’s. beta was no longer in production.
1. the passage is primarily concerned with which of the
爁ollowing?
(a) evaluating two competing technologies
(b) tracing the impact of a new technology by narrating
牐 a sequence of events
(c) reinterpreting an event from contemporary business
牐 history
(d) illustrating a business strategy by means of a case
牐 history
(e) proposing an innovative approach to business
牐 planning
2. according to the passage, today’s successful firms,
爑nlike successful firms in the past, may earn the greatest
爌rofits by
(a) investing in research to produce cheaper versions of
牐 existing technology
(b) being the first to market a competing technology
(c) adapting rapidly to a technological standard
牐 previously set by a competing firm
(d) establishing technological leadership in order to
牐 shape product definitions in advance of competing
牐 firms.
(e) emphasizing the development of methods for the
牐 mass production and distribution of a new
牐 technology.
3. according to the passage, consumers began to develop a
爌reference for vcr’s in the vhs format because they
燽elieved which of the following?
(a) vcr’s in the vhs format were technically better
牐 than competing-format vcr’s.
(b) vcr’s in the vhs format were less expensive than
牐 competing-format vcr’s.
(c) vhs was the first standard format for vcr’s.
(d) vhs prerecorded videotapes were more available
牐 than beta-format tapes.
(e) vcr’s in the beta format would soon cease to be
牐 produced.
爓on control over the vcr market was by
(a) carefully restricting access to vcr technology
(b) giving up a slight early lead in vcr sales in order to
牐 improve long-term prospects.
(c) retaining a strict monopoly on the production of
牐 prerecorded videotapes.
(d) sharing control of the marketing of vhs-format
牐 vcr’s
(e) sacrificing technological superiority over betaformat
牐 vcr’s in order to remain competitive in price.
5. the alignment of producers of vhs-format vcr’s with
爌roducers of prerecorded videotapes is most similar to
爓hich of the following?
(a) the alignment of an automobile manufacturer with
牐 another automobile manufacturer to adopt a
牐 standard design for automobile engines.
(b) the alignment of an automobile manufacturer with
牐 an automotive glass company whereby the
牐 manufacturer agrees to purchase automobile
牐 windshields only from that one glass company
(c) the alignment of an automobile manufacturer with a
牐 petroleum company to ensure the widespread
牐 availability of the fuel required by a new type of
牐 engine developed by the manufacturer.
(d) the alignment of an automobile manufacturer with
牐牐爄ts dealers to adopt a plan to improve automobile
牐牐燿esign.
(e) the alignment of an automobile dealer with an
牐 automobile rental chain to adopt a strategy for an
牐 advertising campaign to promote a new type of
牐 automobile
6. which of the following best describes the relation of the
爁irst paragraph to the passage as a whole?
(a) it makes a general observation to be exemplified.
(b) it outlines a process to be analyzed.
(c) it poses a question to be answered.
(d) it advances an argument to be disputed.
(e) it introdu
...
ces conflicting arguments to be reconciled.
passage 50
牐 australian researchers
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 ahave discovered electroreceptors
(sensory organs designed to respond to electrical fields)
clustered at the tip of the spiny anteater’s snout. the
researchers made this discovery by exposing small areas of
(5) the snout to extremely weak electrical fields and recording
the transmission of resulting nervous activity to the brain.
while it is true that tactile receptors, another kind of
sensory organ on the anteater’s snout, can also respond to
electrical stimuli, such receptors do so only in response to
( 10) electrical field strengths about 1,000 times greater than
牐爐hose known to excite electroreceptors.
牐燞aving discovered the electroreceptors, researchers are
牐爊ow investigating how anteaters utilize such a sophisticated
牐爏ensory system. in one behavioral experiment, researchers
(15) successfully trained an anteater to distinguish between
two troughs of water, one with a weak electrical field
牐燼nd the other with none. such evidence is consistent with
researchers’ hypothesis that anteaters use electroreceptors
to detect electrical signals given off by prey; however,
( 20) researchers as yet have been unable to detect electrical
牐爏ignals emanating from termite mounds, where the favorite
牐爁ood of anteaters live. still, researchers have observed
牐燼nteaters breaking into a nest of ants at an oblique angle
牐燼nd quickly locating nesting chambers. this ability quickly
(25) to locate unseen prey suggests, according to the researchers,
牐爐hat the anteaters were using their electroreceptors to
locate the nesting chambers.
1. according to the passage, which of the following is a
燾haracteristic that distinguishes electroreceptors from
爐actile receptors?
(a) the manner in which electroreceptors respond to
牐 electrical stimuli
(b) the tendency of electroreceptors to be found in
牐 clusters
(c) the unusual locati
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 aons in which electroreceptors are
牐 found in most species.
(d) the amount of electrical stimulation required to
牐 excite electroreceptors
(e) the amount of nervous activity transmitted to the
牐 brain by electroreceptors when they are excited
2. which of the following can be inferred about the
爀xperiment described in the first paragraph?
(a) researchers had difficulty verifying the existence of
牐 electroreceptors in the anteater because
牐 electroreceptors respond to such a narrow range of
牐 electrical field strengths.
(b) researchers found that the level of nervous activity
牐 in the anteater’s brain increased dramatically as the
牐 strength of the electrical stimulus was increased.
(c) researchers found that some areas of the anteater’s
牐 snout were not sensitive to a weak electrical
牐 stimulus.
(d) researchers found that the anteater’s tactile
牐 receptors were more easily excited by a strong
牐 electrical stimulus than were the electro receptors..
(e) researchers tested small areas of the anteater’s snout
牐 in order to ensure that only electroreceptors were
牐 responding to the stimulus.
3. the author of the passage most probably discusses the
爁unction of tactile receptors (lines 7-11) in order to
(a) eliminate and alternative explanation of anteaters’
牐牐爎esponse to electrical stimuli
(b) highlight a type of sensory organ that has a function
牐 identical to that of electroreceptors
(c) point out a serious complication in the research on
牐 electroreceptors in anteaters.
(d) suggest that tactile receptors assist electroreceptors
牐 in the detection of electrical signals.
(e) introduce a factor that was not addressed in the
牐 research on electroreceptors in anteaters.
4. which of the following can be inferred about anteaters
from the behavioral experiment mentioned in the
seco
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 and paragraph?
(a) they are unable to distinguish between stimuli
牐 detected by their electroreceptors and stimuli
牐 detected by their tactile receptors.
(b) they are unable to distinguish between the electrical
牐 signals emanating from termite mounds and those
牐 emanating from ant nests.
(c) they can be trained to recognize consistently the
牐 presence of a particular stimulus.
(d)
[7] ...
they react more readily to strong than to weak
牐 stimuli.
(e) they are more efficient at detecting stimuli in a
牐 controlled environment than in a natural
牐 environment.
5. the passage suggests that the researchers mentioned in
爐he second paragraph who observed anteaters break into
燼 nest of ants would most likely agree with which of the
爁ollowing statements?
(a) the event they observed provides conclusive
牐牐爀vidence that anteaters use their electroreceptors to
牐牐爈ocate unseen prey.
(b) the event they observed was atypical and may not
牐 reflect the usual hunting practices of anteaters.
(c) it is likely that the anteaters located the ants’ nesting
牐 chambers without the assistance of electroreceptors.
(d) anteaters possess a very simple sensory system for
牐 use in locating prey.
(e) the speed with which the anteaters located their
牐 prey is greater than what might be expected on the
牐 basis of chance alone.
6. which of the following, if true, would most strengthen
爐he hypothesis mentioned in lines 17-19?
(a) researchers are able to train anteaters to break into
牐 an underground chamber that is emitting a strong
牐 electrical signal.
(b) researchers are able to detect a weak electrical
signal emanating from the nesting chamber of an ant
colony.
(c) anteaters are observed taking increasingly longer
牐 amounts of time to locate the nesting chambers of
牐 ants.
(d) anteaters are observed usi
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 ang various angles to break
牐 into nests of ants.
(e) anteaters are observed using the same angle used
with nests of ants to break into the nests of other types
of prey.
passage 51
牐 when a. philip randolph assumed the leadership of the
brotherhood of sleeping car porters, he began a ten-year
battle to win recognition from the pullman company, the
largest private employer of black people in the united
(5) states and the company that controlled the railroad
industry’s sleeping car and parlor service. in 1935 the
brotherhood became the first black union recognized by a
major corporation. randolph’s efforts in the battle helped
transform the attitude of black workers toward unions and
(10) toward themselves as an identifiable group; eventually,
randolph helped to weaken organized labor’s antagonism
toward black workers.
牐牐營n the pullman contest randolph faced formidable
牐爋bstacles. the first was black workers’ understandable
( 15) skepticism toward unions, which had historically barred
black workers from membership. an additional obstacle
was the union that pullman itself had formed, which
weakened support among black workers for an
independent entity.
(20) the brotherhood possessed a number of advantages,
however, including randolph’s own tactical abilities. in
1928 he took the bold step of threatening a strike against
pullman. such a threat, on a national scale, under black
leadership, helped replace the stereotype of the black
(25)worker as servant with the image of the black worker as
wage earner. in addition, the porters’ very isolation aided
the brotherhood. porters were scattered throughout the
country, sleeping in dormitories in black communities;
their segregated life protected the union’s internal
(30) communications from interception. that the porters were a
homogen
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 aeous group working for a single employer with
single labor policy, thus sharing the same grievances from
city to city, also strengthened the brotherhood and encour-
aged racial identity and solidarity as well. but it was only
(35) in the early 1930’s that federal legislation prohibiting a
company from maintaining its own unions with company
money eventually allowed the brotherhood to become
recognized as the porters’ representative.
not content with this triumph, randolph brought the
(40) brotherhood into the american federation of labor, where
it became the equal of the federation’s 105 other unions.
he reasoned that as a member union, the brotherhood
would be in a better position to exert pressure on member
unions that practiced race restrictions. such restrictions
were eventually found unconstitutional in 1944.
1. according to the passage, by 1935 the skepticism of
燘lack workers toward unions was
(a) unchanged except among black employees of
牐 railroad-related industries.
(b) reinforced
[8] ...
by the actions of the pullman company’s
牐 union
(c) mitigated by the efforts of randolph
(d) weakened by the opening up of many unions to
牐 black workers.
(e) largely alleviated because of the policies of the
牐 american federation of labor.
2. in using the word “understandable” (line 14), the
author most clearly conveys
(a) sympathy with attempts by the brotherhood
牐 between 1925 and 1935 to establish an independent
牐 union.
(b) concern that the obstacles faced by randolph
牐 between 1925 and 1935 were indeed formidable
(c) ambivalence about the significance of unions to
牐 most black workers in the 1920’s.
(d) appreciation of the attitude of many black workers
牐 in the 1920’s toward unions.
(e) regret at the historical attitude of unions toward
牐 black workers.
3. the pa
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 assage suggests which of the following about the
爎esponse of porters to the pullman company’s own
爑nion?
(a) few porters ever joined this union.
(b) some porters supported this union before 1935.
(c) porters, more than other pullman employees,
牐 enthusiastically supported this union.
(d) the porters’ response was most positive after 1935.
(e) the porters’ response was unaffected by the general
牐 skepticism of black workers concerning unions.
4. the passage suggests that if the grievances of porters in
爋ne part of the united states had been different from
爐hose of porters in another part of the country, which of
爐he following would have been the case?
(a) it would have been more difficult for the pullman
牐 company to have had a single labor policy.
(b) it would have been more difficult for the
牐 brotherhood to control its channels of
牐 communication.
(c) it would have been more difficult for the
牐 brotherhood to uild its membership.
(d) it would have been easier for the pullman
牐 company’s union to attract membership.
(e) it would have been easier for the brotherhood to
牐 threaten strikes.
5. the passage suggests that in the 1920’s a company in
爐he united states was able to
(a) use its own funds to set up a union
(b) require its employees to join the company’s own
牐 union
(c) develop a single labor policy for all its employees
牐 with little employee dissent.
(d) pressure its employees to contribute money to
牐 maintain the company’s own union
(e) use its resources to prevent the passage of federal
牐 legislation that would have facilitated the formation
牐 of independent unions.
6. the passage supplies information concerning which of
the following matters related to randolph?
(a) the steps he took to initiate the founding of the
牐牐燘rotherhood
(b) his motivatio
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 an for bringing the brotherhood into the
牐 american federation of labor
(c) the influence he had on the passage of legislation
牐 overturning race restrictions in 1944
(d) the influence he had on the passage of legislation to
牐 bar companies from financing their own unions
(e) the success he and the brotherhood had in
牐 influencing the policies of the other unions in the
牐 american federation of labor
passage 52
seeking a competitive advantage, some professional
service firms(for example, firms providing advertising,
accounting, or health care services) have considered
offering unconditional guarantees of satisfaction. such
(5)爂uarantees specify what clients can expect and what the
firm will do if it fails to fulfill these expectations.
particularly with first-time clients, an unconditional
guarantee can be an effective marketing tool if the
client is very cautious, the firm’s fees are high, the
(10) negative consequences of bad service are grave, or
business is difficult to obtain through referrals and
word-of-mouth.
燞owever, an unconditional guarantee can sometimes
hinder marketing efforts. with its implication that fail-
(15) ure is possible, the guarantee may, paradoxically, cause
clients to doubt the service firm’s ability to deliver the
promised level of service. it may conflict with a firm’s
desire to appear sophisticated, or may even suggest that
a firm is begging for business. in legal and health care
(20) services, it may mislead clients by suggesting that law-
suits or medical procedures will have guaranteed out-
comes. indeed, professional service firms with outstandin
reputation
[9] ...
s and performance to match have little to gain
from offering unconditional guarantees. and any firm
(25) that implements an unconditional guarantee without
undertaking a commensurate comm
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 aitment to quality of
service is merely employing a potentially costly
marketing gimmick.
1. the primary function of the passage as a whole is to
(a) account for the popularity of a practice
(b) evaluate the utility of a practice
(c) demonstrate how to institute a practice
(d) weigh the ethics of using a strategy
(e) explain the reasons for pursuing a strategy
2. all of the following are mentioned in the passage as
燾ircumstances in which professional service firms can
燽enefit from offering an unconditional guarantee
燛xcept:
(a) the firm is having difficulty retaining its clients of
牐 long standing.
(b) the firm is having difficulty getting business
牐 through client recommendations.
(c) the firm charges substantial fees for its services.
(d) the adverse effects of poor performance by the firm
牐牐燼re significant for the client.
(e) the client is reluctant to incur risk.
3. which of the following is cited in the passage as a goal
爋f some professional service firms in offering
爑nconditional guarantees of satisfaction?
(a) a limit on the firm’s liability
(b) successful competition against other firms
(c) ability to justify fee increases
(d) attainment of an outstanding reputation in a field
(e) improvement in the quality of the firm’s service
4. the passage’s description of the issue raised by
爑nconditional guarantees for health care or legal
爏ervices most clearly implies that which of the following
爄s true?
(a) the legal and medical professions have standards of
牐 practice that would be violated by attempts to fulfill
牐 such unconditional guarantees.
(b) the result of a lawsuit of medical procedure cannot
牐 necessarily be determined in advance by the
牐 professionals handling a client’s case.
(c) the dignity of the legal and medical professions is
牐 undermined b
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 ay any attempts at marketing of
牐 professional services, including unconditional
牐 guarantees.
(d) clients whose lawsuits or medical procedures have
牐 unsatisfactory outcomes cannot be adequately
牐 compensated by financial settlements alone.
(e) predicting the monetary cost of legal or health care
牐 services is more difficult than predicting the
牐 monetary cost of other types of professional
牐 services.
5. which of the following hypothetical situations best
爀xemplifies the potential problem noted in the second
爏entence of the second paragraph (lines 14-17)?
(a) a physician’s unconditional guarantee of
牐 satisfaction encourages patients to sue for
牐 malpractice if they are unhappy with the treatment
牐 they receive.
(b) a lawyer’s unconditional guarantee of satisfaction
牐 makes clients suspect that the lawyer needs to find
牐 new clients quickly to increase the firm’s income.
(c) a business consultant’s unconditional guarantee of
牐 satisfaction is undermined when the consultant fails
牐 to provide all of the services that are promised.
(d) an architect’s unconditional guarantee of
牐 satisfaction makes clients wonder how often the
牐 architect’s buildings fail to please clients.
(e) an accountant’s unconditional guarantee of
牐 satisfaction leads clients to believe that tax returns
牐 prepared by the accountant are certain to be
牐 accurate.
6. the passage most clearly implies which of the following
燼bout the professional service firms mentioned in line
22?
(a) they are unlikely to have offered unconditional
牐 guarantees of satisfaction in the past.
(b) they are usually profitable enough to be able to
牐 compensate clients according to the terms of an
牐 unconditional guarantee.
(c) they usually practice in fields in which the
牐 outcomes are predictable.
(d) their fees are
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 ausually more affordable than those
牐牐燾harged by other professional service firms.
(e) their clients are usually already satisfied with the
牐 quality of service that is delivered.
passage 53
燗lthough genetic mutations in bacteria and viruses
燾an lead to epidemics, some epidemics ar
[10] ...