Old Computers Make for Unhappy Workers — Survey

LONDON (Reuters) — Dealing with the dissatisfaction of ageing and unreliable office computers leads to workers’ unhappiness and more sick-leave, a survey (调查) showed on Wednesday.

A survey carried out by care4free.net of over 2,700 European office workers from the UK, France and Germany found that workplace dissatisfaction increased greatly with the age of computer equipment.

“We do know that job satisfaction is falling in Britain and in most advanced nations,”said Stephen White, a researcher from the Work Foundation. “The actual reasons for this are the subject of very heated discussion. It’s certainly one interesting theory that technology may be the cause of this in some way,” White added.

A quarter of those using outdated computers in Britain said they were “quite” or “very dissatisfied” with their everyday job compared to 16 percent of those who had enjoyed an advantage from up-to-date technology.

The survey also said that among workers dealing with outdated equipment, there was a 35 percent greater probability they would take six or mort days of sick-leave per year compared with the average worker. In France, where more workers use older computers, the probability jumped to 55 percent.

Results also showed that women in the three countries were more likely to be using outdated equipment. In the UK, where more workers have up-to-date computers than in the other counties surveyed, the number of women using old equipment doubled that of men.

White pointed out that there were two sides to this problem, saying that continually having to deal with new technology and new equipment can also be a source of worry. “Old and faulty equipment is a major cause of office dissatisfaction, there’s no question about it, but you also have to say that the frequent change of equipment is also, or could be, a main cause of dissatisfaction.”

1.The underlined word “this” (paragraph 3) refers to      .

A．workplace dissatisfaction           B．computer use in most jobs

C．the ageing of office computers       D．the survey by care4free.net

2.How many office workers using old computers in Britain expressed their dissatisfaction?

A．16%                           B．25%

C．35%                           D．55%

3.According to White, why were the women surveyed more likely to use old computers?

A． Most office workers use old computers.      

B． They do some of their work with computers.

C． Dealing with new equipment can cause anxiety

D．They are easier to be satisfied with new technology.

4.What is the subject of this news story?

A． Poor working conditions in offices.

B． Research work of the Work Foundation

C． Influence of technology in the workplace.

D． Different attitudes to old computers.

 

 

Have fun with Stamp collecting..．Join the Collectors Club today!?? If you enjoy learning all about stamps, then the Royal Mail’s Collectors Club is for you．Join the club and discover the fascinating world of stamps．There are over 70,000 members and it is one of the biggest clubs of its kind in the country. Become a member today and you will receive lots of wonderful stamp collecting goodies...? ●?A Starter pack...?? And every two months...? ●?Collectors Club magazine?? ●?Collectors Corner supplement And every year...? ●?A new Stamp Calendar?? ●?A set of Album Pages?? Join today!? It won’t cost you much to experience the fun of stamp collecting. Collectors Club Starter Pack? 1.100 used stamps and hinges.?? 2.The Collectors Club Guide to Collecting.? 3.The latest Collectors Club magazine (packed with news and views about stamps, quizzes and competitions, all in colour)? 4.Album pages? 5.Badge and stickers? 6.Membership card? 7.Royal Mail Stamp Calendar.?? **********? Already Registered?? Sign In Here!? Learn More? View a Flash presentation about our club (3.51MB)

1.Which of the following is NOT included in a starter pack??

A．One hundred used stamps and hinges and album pages.?

B．The Collectors Club Guide to Collecting and badge and stickers.?

C．The latest Collectors Club magazine and membership card.?

D．Royal Mail Stamp Calendar and Collectors Corner supplement.

2.This advertisement is written for people who want to_______.?

A．make money through collecting stamps?

B．develop stamp collection as a hobby

C．get something free from the club?

D．find out where the club is located

3.From the advertisement we can learn_____.?

A．Collectors Club is among the biggest clubs in this country?

B．how much you must pay to become a member of the club?

C．today is the last day for stamp collectors to join the club?

D．members may receive a set of album pages every month?

4.Where is this advertisement most probably found??

A．In a newspaper.	B．On a web page.?
C．In a magazine.	D．On a TV program.?

 

The whole world was talking about Octopus(章鱼)Paul Allen since it had a 100％correct prediction record of the matches，including Germany in the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2010.The question was whether there be a prediction of the grand final, since it did not include Germany.

 The answer to that much awaited question is yes. Celebrity Octopus Paul Allen does have a winner. It has picked Spain over Holland to lift the wishful prize. In a live television show all over Europe, Paul picked out a mussel(蚌)from the tank with the Spanish flag, ignoring the tank that had the Dutch flag. This means the prediction is that Spain will be FIFA World Cup 2010 champion．Regarding the place 3 and 4 playoff, Octopus Paul A11en has predicted that Germany will beat Uruguay to take the 3 rd place, which was right.

 Octopus Paul Allen has become a worldwide celebrity after it has predicted with 100％ accuracy all of Germany’s World Cup games’ outcomes. It even stopped critics and experts when it correctly predicted a Serbia win over the strong Germans. Much to the sorrow of German fans，it also rightly predicted Spain having an advantage over Germany in the semifinals. And when this came true，there were many calls from angry and sad Germans fans to kill and eat it．Now let’s wait and see if this final prediction by Octopus Paul Allen comes true and its 100％accuracy record stays the same．It goes without saying. Spain will be smiling, at least right now!

1. Octopus Paul Allen became a hot topic because__________.

A. it predicted records of FIFA World Cup 2010 matches correctly

B. it was the mascot of FIFA World Cup 2010

C. it took part in the game with Germany and other teams

D. it lent a helping hand to Germany to win the game

2. From the second paragraph we know that the third place in FIFA World Cup 2010 was______.

  A. Spain    B. Holland    C. Germany    D. Uruguay

3.. According to the passage, when this news is released,_______.

A. FIFA World Cup 2010 has come to an end

B. Spain has already beaten Germany in the semifinals

C. Spain has already won the World Cup 2010 champion

D. the sad German fans have killed Octopus Paul Allen

4.. By saying “It goes without saying”, the writer means_______.

A. Spain will be FIFA World Cup 2010 champion 

B. Octopus Paul Allen won’t predict anything in the future

C. Octopus Paul Allen will surely leave

D. everything goes on well

 

阅读下面短文，掌握其大意，然后从各题所给的四个选项（A、B、C和D）中，选出最佳选项

Yesterday I was fortunate enough to find one more person in our world who is kind and caring. It was about 11:00 p.m.   16   my telephone rang. The caller ID showed the number of a Best Western Hotel.   17  , I would ignore this type of call. For some reason,   18  , I went ahead and answered.

The man on the other end asked if I knew Samual K. I   19  , as he is my 91 – year – old grandfather. Still not   20   why I was the one that had been called, the caller went on to tell me that I was the only   21   listed in the phone book. He said his name was Mason and that he was the   22   at the Best Western Hotel. The   23   was that grandpa had no money with him, and that he couldn’t   24   any phone numbers, so Mason called all over the state trying to get help.

Grandpa told me that he just wanted me to tell Mason that he is a (n)   25   guy and would pay the money once he got home. But the man in charge there was   26   because my grandfather seemed to be   27  . He had been going somewhere else when he got on the wrong bus and   28   100 miles from home.

Not wanting to turn him away and not wanting the police to   29   him to the police station, Mason,   30   any normal duty, not only took the time to   31   me, but also charged just $ 39 so that grandpa could   32   safely and comfortably overnight. (The rooms normally rent for about $ 140!) Besides, he had the staff of that hotel all   33   him until my uncle was able to drive the 100 miles to pick him up!

So, it’s just one more piece of   34   that proves that there are still good people out there; wherever you go, there is always one who   35  .

16．A．while       B．when C．after        D．before

17．A．Obviously B．Personally C．Actually   D．Generally

18．A．however   B．besides     C．otherwise  D．therefore

19．A．was   B．did    C．had   D．would

20．A．admitting  B．accepting  C．understanding   D．recognizing

21．A．neighbor   B．relative     C．colleague  D．friend

22．A．manager   B．waiter       C．mayor      D．guest

23．A．disadvantage    B．question    C．problem    D．pity

24．A．write B．remember C．repeat       D．keep

15．A．easy – going    B．generous   C．forgettable       D．okay

26．A．concerned B．disappointed     C．convinced D．surprised

27．A．hurt  B．moved      C．annoyed    D．lost

28．A．went up    B．added up   C．ended up   D．sent up

29．A．take  B．bring C．invite       D．carry

30．A．except      B．against      C．beyond     D．from

31．A．contact     B．persuade   C．warn D．approach

32．A．leave B．live   C．adapt D．stay

33．A．look for    B．watch over       C．care about D．adjust to

34．A．news B．information      C．advice      D．evidence

35．A．minds       B．cares C．sees   D．matters

The girl looking for the job turned out to be excellent but she ended up giving her employer a headache when it also turned out that she used an unreal diploma(文凭).

In December, a Civil Administration Bureau in the city of Wuhan, Hubei Province, an­nounced that it needed five new staff members. Some 120 people applied and took the exam. Ap­plicants were required to show proof of a college degree at least.

Mei Jing beat everyone in the test and the interview. When a follow-up check was done, however, her education certificate(证书) was discovered to be an unreal one.

This was a bit of an embarrassment for the employers. A dilemma, one might say. If she were hired because of her excellent performance, she still wouldn't have the qualifications on pa­per. But, if she were dropped because she didn't meet the education requirements, they would lose a good worker. Tough problem!

While Mei's future hangs in the balance, the public having learned of the case got involved. Some people said the Bureau should employ her, since results are the only important thing. “After all, ability is more important than a diploma, ”said one office worker.

Others, however, have attacked Mei's dishonesty. They said that morality was, after all, more important than talent, especially in the case of a government position. Mei wasn't honest, so she shouldn't be hired.

But, Shen Ronghua, the head of the Shanghai Public Administration and Human Resources Institute, tries to be a bit more philosophical.

“There is still a sort of  'diploma means this'  prejudice among people,”  Shen explains, “Many employers regard a diploma as the only sign of ability and talent.”

So, with this in mind, people may pay little attention to whether someone has real ability or not. They turn to chasing a diploma instead. The unreal diploma is the natural product of this thought.

The conclusion? "China needs a new human resource system. The new system will not define a person only by his or her diploma, " Shen says.

1.What's the meaning of the underlined word “dilemma” in Paragraph Four?

A. A problem easy to deal with or solve.

B. A situation in which it is difficult for you to make the decision.

C. A difference in two or more statements, ideas, or stories.

D. Something said or done that is funny.

2.What can we infer from this news report?

A. The Civil Administration Bureau of Wuhan employed the girl.

B. The girl was not employed because of dishonesty.

C. It remained to be seen whether the girl was to be employed or not.

D. Another Human Resource Institute employed the girl.

3.What does Shen Ronghua mean by saying “diploma means this”?

A. A diploma can tell whether a person is honest or not.

B. A diploma is the only sign of ability and talent.

C. A diploma is what you get after you finish a course.

D. A diploma means a job.

4. Which of the following do you think is the best title of this news report?

A. A Girl's Unlucky Experience.       B. Unreal Diploma.

C. Dishonesty Has Been Attacked.     D. Can A Diploma Be All There Is.