Today's career assumption is that you can get a lot of development, challenge and job satisfaction and not necessarily be in a management role. Managing others is always a tough task, but in the past that stress was balanced by hopes for career mobility and financial rewards. Along with a sizable pay raise, people chosen as managers would begin a nearly automatic climb up the career ladder to successful executive private benefits: company cars, club memberships, plus the key to the executive washroom. But in today's global and more competitive showground, a manager sits in an insecure chair. More companies has begun to take less management as they come to view their organizations as collections of talents rather than hierarchies . There are far fewer steps for managers to climb. Also, managerial jobs demand more hours and headaches than ever before but offer slim, if any financial paybacks and perks. Now managers must manage many people who are spread over different locations, even over different continents. They must manage across functions with, say, design, finance and marketing. In many companies, when the most praised people in business are those launching something new, management seems like an invisible, thankless role. Employers are looking for people who can do things, not for people who make other people do things. Moreover it may not pay to be a manager, at least not the way it once did. Ms. Chmielewski says, "The emotional rewards can be great, and there were times when I enjoyed management. But a 10-to-11-hour day and one weekend day a month is the norm ". With more people cautious of joining management, are companies being hurt or worrying about developing future leaders? Not many are. While employers have fired a lot of managers, they believe many more candidates linger on at many companies. "Another reason why companies aren't short of managers," argues Robert Kelley, a business professor, "is that so many workers today are self-managed, either individually or via teams, they don't... The author mentions what Ms Chmielewski says to reflect that _ . A) the managers' low working efficiency makes them less paid B) the gain of being a manager is not as satisfactory as before C) she enjoys great emotional rewards of being a manager now D) she misses the past enjoyment of being a manager
B
Recently, while hiking in the foothills of South Carolina, I happened to notice a small, yet quickly flowing whitewater stream. While relaxing and enjoying the aloneness, I sensed a battle for favorable position between the highly-spirited water and the large rocks resting on the bed along the edges of the stream. At first; the rocks, stubborn, immovable and unbending, seemed to have their way with their adversary . However, the water, determined yet forgiving, seemed merely inconvenienced by the presence of the rocks, as it effortlessly changed its course, running towards its original destination. Soon it became clear that the rocks, although remaining strong and firm, were losing this battle as the water's total indifference began to slowly reform these obstacles into smooth and beautifully polished stones. You see, there seemed to be total lack of struggle associated with the water's journey. Struggle is like bondage forcing harmony and the water would have none of that. On the contrary,the water seemed perfectly content to move around the rocks when necessary, following some route God had originally intended. I paused for thought. Maybe people need to be more determined and less stubborn. Maybe human beings need to always be open to different points of view, not afraid to readjust their direction as life presents all of its new and unforeseen challenges. When fighting with the water, the rocks _ . A) were made into irregular patterns B) were lacking in the spirit of struggle C) stuck to their original method all the way D) redesigned their path according to the situation
C
Q: In American schools there is something called Homecoming. Many high schools and colleges with a football team have a Homecoming game. This can be the most important event of the year except graduation or commencement day. Students plan Homecoming for many weeks in advance. Several days before Homecoming, students start to decorate the school. There are signs to wish luck to the team, and many other signs to welcome all the graduates. Many people still come to Homecoming twenty or thirty years after their graduation. The members of school clubs build booths and sell lemonade, apples and sandwiches. Some clubs help to welcome visitors. During the day people like to look for teachers that they remember from long ago. Often they see old friends and they talk together about those happy years in school. Everyone soon comes to watch the football game. When the game is half over, the band comes onto the field and plays school songs. Another important moment is when the Homecoming Queen or King appears. All the students _ a most popular student Homecoming Queen or King. It is a great honor to be chosen. Homecoming is a happy day, but it is not perfect unless the football team wins the game. Even if the team loses, the students still enjoy Homecoming. Some stay at the school to dance, and others go to a party. For everyone it is a day worth remembering. This article can be adapted from _ . A) Textbook B) Entertainment Journal C) Sports Journal D) Science Report
A: B
*Question*
What's the difference between the British Isles, Britain, the United Kingdom and England? The British Isles is made up of two large islands: One is called Ireland and the other Britain. Britain, or Great Britain, is the larger of these two islands and it is divided into three parts: Scotland, Wales and England. The United Kingdom (UK) is short for the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. It is made up of Scotland, Wales, and England (i.e. the whole of Britain), and also about one-sixth of Ireland, the Northern part. The rest of Ireland is self-governing . England is the largest, most populous , and generally speaking, the richest section. English people often use the words "England" and "English" when they mean "Britain" and "British". This sometimes makes the Scots and the Welsh angry. The Scots are very proud of their separate nationality. The Welsh too do not consider themselves as England, and have a culture and even a language of their own. Ireland became part of the United Kingdom in 1801, but is soon grew discontented , and for forty years the "Irish Question" was the greatest headache of British Parliament . At last, Ireland divided itself into two: Northern Ireland remained loyal to the Crown , and in 1922 the rest of the country broke away to form Irish Free State, now the Republic of Ireland. The United Kingdom is mainly made up of _ . A) 3 parts: Scotland, Wales, and England B) 4 parts: Scotland, Wales, England and Ireland C) 2 parts: the whole of Britain and Ireland D) 2 parts: the whole of Britain and Northern Ireland
**Answer**
D