If U.S. software companies don't pay more attention to quality, they could kiss their business good-bye. Both India and Brazil are developing a world-class software industry. Their weapon is quality and one of their jobs is to attract the top U.S. quality specialists whose voices are not listened to in their country.

      Already, of the world's 12 software houses that have earned the highest rating in the world, seven are in India. That's largely because they have used new methods rejected by American software specialists. For example, for decades, quality specialists, W. Edwards Deming and J. M. Juran had urged U.S. software companies to change their attitudes to quality. But their quality call mainly fell on deaf ears in the U.S -- but not in Japan. By the 1970s and 1980s, Japan was grabbing market share with better, cheaper products. They used Deming's and Juran's ideas to bring down the cost of good quality to as little as 5% of total production costs. In U.S. factories, the cost of quality then was 10 times as high: 50%. In software, it still is.

      Watts S. Humphrey spent 27 years at IBM heading up software production and then quality assurance. But his advice was seldom paid attention to. He retired from IBM in 1986. In 1987, he worked out a system for assessing(evaluating) and improving software quality. It has proved its value time and again. For example, in 1990 the cost of quality at Raytheon Electronics Systems was almost 60% of total software production costs. It fell to 15% in 1996 and has since further dropped to below 10%.

Like Deming and Juran, Humphrey seems to be winning more praises overseas than at home. The Indian government and several companies have just founded the Watts Humphrey Software Quality Institute at the Software Technology Park in Chennai, India. Let's hope that U.S. lead in software will not be eaten up by its quality problems.

 

53. What country has more highest-rating companies in the world than any other country has?

A. India.    B. The US.                 C. Brazil.                D. Germany.

54. Which of the following statements about Humphrey is true?

A. He is now still an IBM employer.      B. He has worked for IBM for 37 years.    

C. India honors him highly.                 D. The US pays much attention to his quality advice. 

55. By what means did Japan grab its large market share by the 1970s and the 1980s?    

A. Its advertising was most successful.   

B. Its products were cheaper in price and better in quality.

C. The US hardware industry was lagging behind.

D. Japan hired a lot of Indian software specialists.

56. What is the writer worrying about?

A. Many US software specialists are working for Japan.

B. The quality problem has become a worldwide problem.    

C. India and Japan are joining hands to compete with the US.

D. The US will no longer be the first software player in the world.

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科目:高中英語 來源: 題型:閱讀理解

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This advertisement aims at calling on people to ________.

A. attend full-time universities

B. work part time to further their education

C. improve their education at home to get better jobs

D. earn their degrees in different ways that suit them

Which of the following is NOT clearly mentioned in this advertisement? 

A. The way how you will get your degree. 

B. Tuition price. 

C. The hot fields you will be preparing yourself for.

D. The length of time it will take you to get a degree.

What does the writer of this ad intend to say by naming General Electric, IBM, Ford, etc.?

A. To show that their training is widely used in the country. 

B. To show that the training program is fully supported by famous companies in the U. S.

C. To prove the value of their training in every area.   

D. To show the importance of getting recognized by the most famous companies.

It seems to the writer that the greatest attraction for people to take their training is______. 

A. its convenience

B. the degree’s nation-wide recognition

C. the economic benefit(利益) it will bring about

D. the hot fields the training will help people to enter

How many ways are mentioned in the ad for people to get in touch with the Harcourt Learning Direct?

A. One.        B. Two.        C. Three.       D. Four.

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科目:高中英語 來源: 題型:閱讀理解

President Clinton’s decision on Apr.8 to send Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji packing without an agreement on China’s entry into the World Trade Organization seemed to be a massive miscalculation. The President took a drubbing from much of the press, which had breathlessly reported that a deal was in the bag. The Cabinet and Whit House still appeared divided, and business leaders were characterized as furious over the lost opportunity. Zhu charged that Clinton lacked “the courage” to reach an accord. And when Clinton later telephoned the angry Zhu to pledge a renewed effort at negotiations, the gesture was widely portrayed as a flip-flop.

In fact, Clinton made the right decision in holding out for a better WTO deal. A lot more horse trading is needed before a final agreement can be reached. And without the Administration’s goal of a “bullet-proof agreement” that business lobbyists can enthusiastically sell to a Republican Congress, the whole process will end up in partisan acrimony that could harm relations with China for years.

THE HARD PART. Many business lobbyists, while disappointed that the deal was not closed, agree that better terms can still be had. And Treasury Secretary Robert E. Rubin, National Economic Council Director Gene B. Sperling, Commerce Secretary William M. Daley, and top trade negotiator Charlene Barshefsky all advised Clinton that while the Chinese had made a remarkable number of concessions, “we’re not there yet,” according to senior officials.

Negotiating with Zhu over the remaining issues may be the easy part. Although Clinton can signal U.S. approval for China’s entry into the WTO himself, he needs Congress to grant Beijing permanent most-favored-nation status as part of a broad trade accord. And the temptation for meddling on Capital Hill may prove over-whelming. Zhu had barely landed before Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-Miss) declared himself skeptical that China deserved entry into the WTO. And Senators Jesse A. Helms (R-N.C.) and Emest F. Hollings (D-S. C.) promised to introduce a bill requiring congressional approval of any deal.

The hidden message from these three textile-state Southerners: Get more protection for the U. S. clothing industry. Hoping to smooth the way, the Administration tried, but failed, to budge Zhu on textiles. Also left in the lurch: Wall Street, Hollywood, and Detroit. Zhu refused to open up much of the lucrative Chinese securities market and insisted on “cultural” restrictions on American movies and music. He also blocked efforts to allow U. S. auto makers to provide fleet financing.

BIG JOB. Already, business lobbyists are blanketing Capitol Hill to presale any eventual agreement, but what they’ve heard so far isn’t encouraging. Republicans, including Lott, say that “the time just isn’t right” for the deal. Translation: We’re determined to make it look as if Clinton has capitulated to the Chinese and is ignoring human, religious, and labor rights violations; the theft of nuclear-weapons technology; and the sale of missile parts to America’s enemies. Beijing’s fierce critics within the Democratic Party, such as Senator Paul D. Wellstone of Minnesota and House Minority leader Richard A. Gephardt of Missouri, won’t help, either.

Just how tough the lobbying job on Capitol Hill will be become clear on Apr. 20, when Rubin lectured 19chief executives on the need to discipline their Republican allies. With business and the White House still trading charges over who is responsible for the defeat of fast-track trade negotiating legislation in 1997, working together won’t be easy. And Republicans—with a wink—say that they’ll eventually embrace China’s entry into the WTO as a favor to Corporate America. Though not long before they torture Clinton. But Zhu is out on a limb, and if Congress overdoes the criticism, he may be forced by domestic critics to renege. Business must make this much dear to both its GOP allies and the Whit House: This historic deal is too important to risk losing to any more partisan squabbling

1.    The main idea of this passage is

[A]. The Contradiction between the Democratic Party and the Republican Party.

[B]. On China’s entry into WTO.

[C]. Clinton was right.

[D]. Business Lobbyists Control Capitol Hill.

2.    What does the sentence “Also left in the lurch: Wall Street, Hollywood, Detroit” convey?

[A]. Premier Zhu rejected their requirements.

[B]. The three places overdid criticism.

[C]. They wanted more protection.

[D]. They are in trouble.

3.    What was the attitude of the Republican Party toward China’s entry into the WTO?

[A]. Contradictory.              [B].Appreciative.

[C]. Disapproving.              [D]. Detestful.

4.    Who plays the leading part in the deal in America?

[A]. White House .              [B]. Republicans.

[C]. The Democratic Party.        [D]. Businessmen.

5.    It can be inferred from the passage that

[A]. America will make concessions.

[B]. America will hold out for a better WTO

[C]. Clinton has the right to signal U. S. approval for China’s entry.

[D]. Democratic party approve China’s entry into the WTO.

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科目:高中英語 來源:2010-2012遼寧葫蘆島一高高二下學(xué)期第二次月考英語試卷 題型:閱讀理解

The gray-haired lady can’t wait to leave the building to search for her dad .Unless watched ,she will walk in the streets in an effort to find her father ,who died 30 years ago.
Not all cases of Alzheimer’s disease look like this ,but Alzheimer’s is a serious disease that is said to be the fourth or fifth leading cause of death for people over age 75.
It is said that about three percent of the U.S. population over age 65 have Alzheimer’s .In the early stages ,people may exhibit short term memory loss. Some may experience changes in personality , easy to be angry .As the disease progresses ,patients might lose the ability to move and may be unable to speak or move at all. This progressive disease generally lasts 8 to 10 years before death occurs.
While no one is certain what causes these changes in the brain’s nerve fibers (神經(jīng)纖維),their effect is certain .Alzheimer’s destroys not only the patients ,but also spouses(配偶),friends and families.
What should you do if you notice progressive memory loss in yourself or a loved one? Have the person examined by a doctor who is a specialist in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.
Though many reasons other than Alzheimer’s disease may cause memory loss ,its
early diagnosis(診斷)and treatment may delay some of the most serious effects.
What feeling will you likely experience should a loved one suffer from Alzheimer’ s disease? A person will often go through the various stages of sadness, shock ,anger ,and so on. If the spouse develops the disease ,you may experience hurt and disappointment when he or she doesn’t remember you are married.
Life for the Alzheimer’s patients and their loved ones will never be the same as the disease progresses ,bringing a deep sorrow ,loss and even anger towards God .No matter what feelings are present ,facing them honestly will serve one better than burying them.
【小題1】
What can be inferred from the passage about the gray-haired day?

A.She has been living with her father.
B.She was sad about the death of her father.
C.She can’t search for her father without being watched.
D.She suffers from Alzheimer’s disease.
【小題2】
.When people suffer from Alzheimer’s disease , ________.
A.their families and friends will suffer from the same disease
B.their families and friends will experience mental sufferings
C.they will certainly die in 8 to 10 years
D.they will forget everybody but their spouses
【小題3】
.Memory loss occurs ________.
A.from Alzheimer’s disease and nothing else
B.from sadness ,shock ,anger ,and so on
C.for a number of reasons
D.with changes in personality

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科目:高中英語 來源:2014屆遼寧省高二下學(xué)期第一次月考英語試卷(解析版) 題型:完型填空

There are about fifteen hundred languages in the world. But   36 a few of them are very   37  .English is one of these. Many, many people use it, not only in England and the U.S.A., but in other parts of the world. About 200,000,000 speak it as their own language. It is difficult to say how many people are learning it as a  38 language. Many millions are   39  to do so. Is it easy or difficult to learn English? Different people may have different   40  Have you ever   41  ads of this kind in the newspapers or magazines? "Learn English in six weeks, or your   42  back..." "Easy and funny! Our records and tapes   43  you master your English in a month.   44  the first day your   45  will be excellent. Just send …"Of course, it never    46  quite like this.

The only language that seems easy to learn is the mother tongue. We should   47  that we all learned our own language well when we were   48 . If we could learn English in the same way, it would not seem so difficult.   49   what a small child does. He listens to what people say. He tries what he hears. When he is using the language, talking in it,   50  in it all the time. Just imagine how much   51  that gets!

So it is  52 to say that learning English is easy, because a good command of English   53  upon a lot of practice. And practice needs great effort and   54  much time. Good teachers, records, tapes, books, and dictionaries will   55 . But they cannot do the student's work for him.

1.                A.not            B.quite           C.only D.very

 

2.                A.difficult         B.important       C.helpful   D.easy

 

3.                A.native          B.foreign         C.useful    D.mother

 

4.                A.learning        B.enjoying        C.trying    D.liking

 

5.                A.questions       B.problems       C.ideas D.a(chǎn)nswers

 

6.                A.found          B.watched        C.noticed   D.known

 

7.                A.knowledge      B.time           C.money   D.English

 

8.                A.make          B.help           C.let   D.a(chǎn)llow

 

9.                A.From          B.On            C.Since D.After

 

10.               A.spelling        B.grammar        C.English    D.pronunciation

 

11.               A.happened      B.looked         C.seemed   D.felt

 

12.               A.know          B.remember      C.understand D.think

 

13.               A.students        B.children        C.babies D.grown-ups

 

14.               A.Imagine        B.Mind          C.Do   D.Think of

 

15.               A.using          B.thinking        C.trying D.practicing

 

16.               A.time           B.money         C.language  D.practice

 

17.               A.hard           B.easy           C.funny D.silly

 

18.               A.depends        B.tries           C.has   D.takes

 

19.               A.uses           B.takes          C.gets  D.costs

 

20.               A.do            B.work           C.help  D.master

 

 

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科目:高中英語 來源:2012年北師大版高中英語選修一Unit11練習(xí)卷(解析版) 題型:閱讀理解

Recently a group of children in America poured some gasoline on a sleeping man and set him on fire. When caught, the children said they had done what they’d seen on TV.

The incidents make people angry who believe that American children are harmed by watching too much TV. They claim children can’t tell between the fiction of TV and reality, and TV distracts them from learning and makes them violent.

To estimate the impact of TV on young people, “Life” magazine hires a company to interview hundreds of school children in Nora Springs, Iowa and in Dallas, Texas. Although the two cities are very different, the company finds children in each city watch the same TV shows.

Many Iowa children, who watch an average of three hours of TV a day, recognizing that life on TV is rosier than what they experience. Their favourite shows are situation comedies about American families in trouble. Many boys like violent shows about police detectives or heroes, girls particularly soap operas-stories about families and friends.

On the whole, children find real violence on news programs hard to take. “If you see a bus crash on the news, it’s frightening,” one fifth grader says. By and large, the Iowa children agree that the best thing about TV is it makes you laugh.

Children in Dallas are savvier about programs of drug use on TV. “They don’t really show them doing it right. On TV they are not real.” A fifth grader says.

“Life” agrees with a 1988 study by the U. S Department of education that finds children are none the worse for watching TV. The study finds TV doesn’t have lasting effect on children. On the contrary, kids show good judgment about what they watch. “There are very few good shows on TV anymore,” a 10-year-old boy says.

While the debate about TV is so heated, the “Life” survey gives hope that American kids aren’t wasting three or four hours a day (what is worse, by the time young people enter college today, they will have devoted more time to watching television than they will spend in college). However, a child watching TV isn’t reading a good book or joining in healthful sports.

1.The main idea of the passage is       .

A.children who watch more TV are smarter than those who watch only one hour a day

B.children learn about drugs from watching TV

C.watching too much TV can cause children to go out and kill people

D.children learn from TV and can tell reality from what they see on it

2.Children who see real violence on TV news programs        .

A.change the channel to watch other programs

B.live in Iowa or Texas

C.a(chǎn)re sometimes upset and scared

D.think TV gives a very positive image of friendship

3.Children who enter college today        .

A.usually cause the satisfaction of the society

B.think life on TV is happier than their life at home

C.have spent more time watching TV than they will spend in college

D.watch most the same TV shows as children in Dallas

4.The “Life” survey of children’s TV habits        .

A.concludes that watching up to seven hours a day of TV is good for children

B.a(chǎn)grees with the U.S. Department of Education study that finds few negative effects from watching TV

C.concludes that there aren’t any good shows on TV any more

D.concludes that children shouldn’t pour gasoline on sleeping man

 

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