1、剑桥商务英语中级-26 及答案解析(总分：100.00，做题时间：90 分钟)一、BREADING/B(总题数：1，分数：7.00)PART ONE Look at the statements below and the information on an automobile insurance company case on the opposite page. Which section (A, B, C, or D) does each statement 1-7 refer to? For each statement 1-7, mark one letter (A, B, G,
2、or D) on your Answer Sheet. You will need to use some of these letters more than once.ALawyers for State Farm policyholders complaining about after-market parts had asked for more than $ 5.4 billion in damages in a class action. The suit accused the State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co. of brea
3、ching its contract with policyholders to restore their cars to their pre-accident conditions. The lawsuit combined the potential claims of $ 4.7 million current and former State Farm policyholders. Plaintiffs sought $1.4 billion on the breach of contract and about $ 4 billion on the other counts.BAt
4、 issue before the jury was use of parts such as door panels, hoods and fenders that were modeled on original parts produced by or for automakers but made without use of original specifications. About 15 percent of all crash-repair parts used last year were after-market replacements, according to ins
5、urance and auto-body repair groups. Critics claimed such parts failed to provide the same fit corrosion protection and, in some cases, safety as more expensive parts made for automakers.CState Farm said the use of the parts did not affect drivers safety and helped hold down premiums. During trial, S
6、tate Farm lawyers said the use of after-market parts saved policyholders more than $ 233 million in premiums in 1998. Meanwhile, the companys spokesman said the company wouldnt immediately change its policy, but he added that was not to say it wouldnt review its policy at some time.DA decision on pa
7、rts of the suit was still pending while the jury has ordered State Farm to pay $ 456 million for allegedly cheating customers by ordering body shops to use substandard repair parts. Industry analysts and some consumer advocates have said a large verdict against State Farm could reduce the use of aft
8、er-market parts in the auto-repair business and drive up the price of crash repairs. The verdict was also considered a great victory for policyholders and the body-shop industry as a whole plaintiff.（分数：7.00）(1).The decision against State Farm made by the jury would result in the reduction of imitat
9、ion parts when making repairs.（分数：1.00）填空项 1:_(2).The plaintiffs in State Farm case claimed damage award.（分数：1.00）填空项 1:_(3).The use of after-market parts could bring benefit to policyholders according to State Farm.（分数：1.00）填空项 1:_(4).After-market parts didnt accord with specified standard, which m
10、ay make automakers in potential risk.（分数：1.00）填空项 1:_(5).State Farm broke the promise that the policyholders cars would be repaired and returned to their pre-crash condition.（分数：1.00）填空项 1:_(6).The jury in the case was deciding whether State Farm willfully deceived.（分数：1.00）填空项 1:_(7).State Farm wil
11、l consider its repair policy and make some changes.（分数：1.00）填空项 1:_二、BPART TWO/B(总题数：1，分数：5.00) Read the article below about why and how to find a good boss. Choose the best sentence from the opposite page to fill each of the gaps. For each gap 8-12, mark one letter (A-G) on your Answer Sheet. Do no
12、t use any letter more than once.B APPLYING FOR A NEW BOSS/BWhen I went off to college, I got one piece of advice from my father: “It doesnt matter what courses you take, just find the great professors.“ Sure enough, I soon discovered that all subjects were interesting, as long as I had good teachers
13、. Great teaching is not limited to school, though. An excellent boss can do the same thing, turning every day into a learning experience. He can give you confidence, making you more willing to ask a question, take on responsibility, or even suggest a change in some out-of-date company policy. U(8) /
14、U.My advice, then, is not to interview for the right job. Instead, interview for the right boss-not a best friend, but someone who is willing and able to help you grow professionally.What are some signs of the wrong boss? Well, anyone who: is surrounded by the same team year after year. If youre suc
15、h a good teacher, why arent these people moving on to better positions? lacks a sense of humor. Life is short. Work is hard. Lets lighten up when the mailroom loses a package, OK? U(9) /U. loves typing, and has a hatred toward talking. U(10) /U Who are the best bosses Ive had?Angela, my first boss o
16、ut of college, was smart and direct-she was not afraid to call a spade a spade. She ruffled feathers around the company, but would readily let me in on what she thought and why. Shed been there 30 years but was still a busybody-I loved that.U (11) /U Trust your instincts. Be yourself and see if he i
17、s someone you want to learn from for a couple of years. If that person is dull, distant, or passive in an interview, guess what theyre going to be like Monday through Friday.Interviewees are on their best behavior in that type of climate, but so are interviewers. You dont like what you see? The powe
18、r is yours-go and check out other bosses before you jump aboard for the long run.Churchill divided people into two groups-those for whom work is work and pleasure is pleasure, and those for whom work is pleasure. U(12) /U If youre in the same group, then he could very well be just the teacher for yo
19、u.A But how do you know when youve found the right boss?B Theres no reason to get your nose out of joint.C Why are you continually emailing me when I sit across the hall?D Great teaching is not limited to school, though.E In short, a great boss knows how to teach.F Whichever you are, my recommendati
20、on is to make sure you know where both you and your boss belong.G A great boss both gives and earns respect.（分数：5.00）(1).（分数：1.00）填空项 1:_填空项 1:_填空项 1:_填空项 1:_填空项 1:_三、BPART THREE/B(总题数：1，分数：6.00) Read the article below about flea market and the questions on the opposite page. For each question 13-18
21、, mark one letter (A, B, C, or D) on your Answer Sheet for the answer you choose.B Flea Market Shopping Can Be Satisfying/BWhether in London, Paris or at a rural antique fair, an addictive adrenaline surge is triggered when I discover an architectural fragment I know can be converted into a headboar
22、d, or when I come across an old sea chest that, with some paint and polish, can be made to work as a coffee table. In truth it took quite a while, but I finally learned to practice self-discipline when browsing at flea markets. Its that time again, sunny days are upon us, and flea market and antique
23、s sales wait. Old pieces with great potential abound-all you have to do is to spot them. But wait a moment, I just got something to tell you before you plunge into it. That will help make your hunt more fruitful. Believe it or not, youll definitely be inspired.Keep an open mind. You may not come awa
24、y with the things that were on your list, but thats the beauty of the hunt. you never know what youll find. If you didnt find a particular item this week, dont despair-chances are youll find it next time. Know when to walk away. Sometimes playing the cool, uninterested browser will get you a better
25、deal on an item, but dont be too coy. If you see something you like, buy it-there may not be a second chance on a one-of-a-kind find.Know how to negotiate. Although haggling over a price is part of the experience, an offer thats too low is insulting. Vendors will often lower the marked price by abou
26、t 10 percent. Buying several items from one vendor and giving them regular business will get you a better deal.Know who to buy from. This is a well-kept secret among flea-market gurus. Youre more likely to get a deal on items that arent part of a vendors regular supply. Vendors sometimes pick up odd
27、 items to add to the mix and may be more willing to part with them for less money.Have cash on hand. Cash is always the most powerful negotiating tool and best method of payment. Most vendors wont accept checks or credit cards. Small bills make it easier when youre haggling a sale. Markets in rural
28、areas have ATM machines nearby, but field markets usually dont. Be aware that prices often prove more negotiable when vendors learn youll be paying with cash rather than with a credit card.Anyway, a flea market is an interesting place to visit if you want to buy something or if you want to buy nothi
29、ng. It consists of an open space filled with individual vendors selling used or almost new merchandise, as well as produce, paintings and crafts.Approach your acquaintances or public library for the location of the nearest flea market and for the days and hours it is open. Dont be surprised if you f
30、ind the very thing you have been looking for You may wish to set up your own table at the flea market if you would like to sell toys, books and items that you no longer use. It will be another kind of pleasure. Now its your turn to go and find out.（分数：6.00）(1).What does “potential“ mean in the sente
31、nce “Old pieces with great potential abound. “? (Para 1)（分数：1.00）A.The new uses to which old pieces will be put.B.The old pieces which need finding out very carefully.C.The gurus that are more likely to find out old pieces.D.The interesting objects that are stowed away.(2).How to keep an open mind w
32、hen shopping at flea market?（分数：1.00）A.You should not make a list beforehand.B.You should attach importance to the process rather than the result.C.Nothing can disappoint you.D.Ignorance of the market is the key to be satisfied.(3).The tip “know when to walk away“ tells us that _.（分数：1.00）A.you shou
33、ld walk away when you see something you like but expensiveB.sometimes appropriate detached attitudes can ensure you a bargainC.dont act too shy to leaveD.youd better walk away when you have a second chance(4).What is impolite when shopping at flea market?（分数：1.00）A.To argue about the price with sell
34、ers.B.To show little enthusiasm for the items you want.C.To buy several items from different sellers.D.To ask sellers for too low prices.(5).Who would like to sell particular goods at low prices?（分数：1.00）A.Sellers with irregular supply.B.Gurus with a well-kept secret.C.Sellers with many sorts of goo
35、ds.D.Sellers without ATM machine near their stand.(6).The last paragraph of this passage implies that（分数：1.00）A.only at flea market can you buy nothingB.you can always find the very thing youve been looking forC.you may find the items that youve used at the flea marketD.both selling and buying at fl
36、ea market are pleasant四、BPART FOUR/B(总题数：1，分数：15.00) Read the article below about smoking at workplace. Choose the best word or phrase to fill each gap from A, B, C, or D on the opposite page. For each question 19-33, mark one letter (A, B, C, or D) on your Answer Sheet.B Tribunal Rules on Smoking a
37、t Workplace/BEmployers must take sufficient steps to protect non-smoking employees from tobacco smoke or they might be faced with legal U(19) /U, warns law firm Thomas, Sell & Passmore.Jill Thomas, an employment law specialist with the firm, quotes a recent U(20) /U brought before the Employment App
38、eal Tribunal (EAT). An employers failure to protect its employees against tobacco smoke U(21) /U an employee to quit her job. Whilst working, the employee was U(22) /U to work near four secretaries who smoked and the rooms of three solicitors who smoked cigarettes, cigars and a pipe. All doors were
39、kept open to allow ventilation from smoking rooms. After a series of U(23) /U from the plaintiff and fellow colleagues, the employer consulted staff and agreed that a smoking policy should be U(24) /U up. However, the policy did not go U(25) /U enough to solve the problem for the plaintiff. She was
40、finally told either to U(26) /U up with the smoke or leave, which she did.The EAT ruled that the employer had breached its contractual U(27) /U to deal reasonably and promptly with its employees grievances, and to provide a reasonable working U(28) /U suitable for its employees. The plaintiff was aw
41、arded U(29) /U.But employers are advised to think carefully before they rush into implementing or enforcing smoking ban. Unless they take care, they could be faced with unfair dismissal claims from smokers-U (30) /U what they were trying to avoid with non-smokers.Before introducing a U(31) /U or par
42、tial smoking ban, employers are recommended to protect themselves from potential claims by smokers. U(32) /U must be consulted on their views and given reasonable notice of any changes. Employers should then U(33) /U enforce their smoking ban.（分数：15.00）A.contractB.actionC.movementD.rulesA.caseB.acci
43、dentC.announcementD.meetingA.preventedB.demandedC.causedD.invitedA.willingB.eagerC.satisfiedD.forcedA.faxesB.complaintsC.reportsD.researchesA.shownB.doneC.drawnD.knownA.farB.nearC.longD.deepA.makeB.putC.addD.fillA.projectsB.itemsC.wordsD.obligationA.payB.promotionC.environmentD.surroundingsA.damages
44、B.prizesC.demandsD.benefitsA.hardlyB.preciselyC.mostlyD.sincerelyA.biasedB.commonC.legalD.totalA.LawyersB.EmployersC.StaffD.ConsultantsA.sensiblyB.directlyC.bravelyD.generally五、BPART FIVE/B(总题数：1，分数：12.00) Read the text below about how to deny customers claims. In most of the lines 3445 there is one
45、 extra word. It is either grammatically incorrect or does not fit in with the meaning of the text. Some 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.B Denying
46、 Claims/BCorrect Customers occasionally want something they are not entitled to or that youTheir cant grant. They may misunderstand their warranties or make unreasonable34 demands. Because these customers are often unhappy with a product or35 service, they are emotionally involved in. Letters that s
47、ay no to emotionally36 involved receivers will probably be your much most difficult communication37 task. As if publisher Malcolm Forbes has pointed out, “To be agreeable while38 be disagreeing-thats an art.“ Fortunately, the reasons-before-refusal plan39 enables you to be empathic and artful in han
48、dling with bad news. Obviously, in40 denial letters you will need to adopt the proper tone. Dont blame on customers41 or suggest that the customer does not read or understand what the contract or42 relative policies, even if they are at fault. Avoid use “you“ statements that43 sound preachy. Instead, the safest path is to use neutral and objective44 language to explain that
