BEC高级第10讲讲义
BEC高级精讲班第10讲讲义
Homeworkreview
I. Homework review
Dear Sirs
I took your Computer Intermediate Level Course on 22 March at your company's premises. I am writing to complain about the course you provided.
I chose your company because of your high reputation in teaching computer courses. Besides, your advertisement really lured me since you emphasised that you had some advantages over rivals. For example, you had an array of highly experienced teachers and a large number of up to date computers at the premises. You could teach students on how to become an expert in using some software, for instance, the word processor, spreadsheet, database and electronic mails. In addition, you promised to arrange satisfied buffet lunch.
Unfortunately, the course did not match with what you promised. Only one teacher taught us how to the word processor. The teacher was not an experienced one since he taught us for the whole morning and left us to do nothing in the afternoon. Besides, we had to share one computer because there were six students in one group. Even worse, I had no enough food and felt hungry in the afternoon.
Your company charged me a lot on the course and promised to provide a quality course. On the contrary, I did not learn anything from it. Therefore, I would insist on refunding my fee in full. I hope you can put my complaints into prompt attention.
I look forward to receiving your reply soon.
Yours faithfully
Tracy Hu
V ocabularystudy
II. V ocabulary Study
Learning words from the context
ear lobe
helixes
Childhood is represented by formative ears
In face reading, the ears represent our childhood. Some practitioners believe the fortunes of boys and girls, from birth to age seven, are determined by the left ear. The right ear defines their lives from age eight to 14.
Another school of thought, however, believes that boys’ lives start from the left ear and girls from the right. But both schools agree that the positions of the ear – from top to ear lobe – correspond to a person’s age.
People with “good” ears usually hail from an affluent family, are intelligent and enjoy a lot of love and attention from their parents. Large ears are better than small ones. Their owners tend to be more energetic and enjoy good health. Ears that are higher than or as high as the eyebrows indicate outstanding academic ability and early fame. Good ears should also be well developed, with proportionate inner and outer helixes.
Those with inner helixes that are bigger than the outer ones can be stubborn, hard to convince and usually loners. Well-formed and fleshy helixes are also preferred. Thin and poorly shaped outer helixes often reveal poor health at a young stage.
Another factor is whether the ears lie flat against the head. Children with such ears are usually quiet and obedient, but more dependent and not keen on experimenting with new things. Those with ears that overly protrude from the head are usually “naughty”.
Although non-conformist, they tend to be more creative and curious.
Ears that are paler than the face colour are a good sign. They represent fame and career success. Pink and reddish ears symbolize romantic involvement. But dull and dark ears indicate problems with the kidneys, according to Chinese medical theory.
People with long, large earlobes generally live long. Fleshy earlobes are also associated with wealth. Avoid piercing your ears if you have bulging earlobes. It diminishes your wealth factor. However, if you have small earlobes, ear piercing can enlarge the flesh and improve wealth.
ear lobe noun [countable]
the soft piece of flesh at the bottom of your ear
helix noun[countable]
plural helices
technical a line that curves and rises around a central line 螺线线
?synonym spiral
hail from something phrasal verb
to have been born in a particular place
And where do you hail from?
pierce verb
[transitive] to make a small hole in or through something, using an object with a sharp point
Steam the corn until it can easily be pierced with a fork.
Rose underwent emergency surgery after a bullet pierced her lung.
pierce a hole in/through something
Pierce small holes in the base of the pot with a hot needle.
bulge noun [countable]
1 a curved mass on the surface of something, usually caused by something under or inside it 膨胀，凸起
The gun made a bulge under his jacket.
2 a sudden temporary increase in the amount or level of something 突然短暂的上升
a bulge in the birthrate
Recruitmentmethods
III. Recruitment methods
1. Speaking.
Internal recruitment
Advantages:
The candidates already know the job and the company.
Disadvantages:
No new impetus, the same mindset;
An internal candidate is not necessarily the best person on the market.
Job Advertisement
Advantages:
Wide audience; can potentially reach the best on the market; fresh attitudes. Disadvantages:
High processing costs: a large number of applicants need to be processed.
Recruitment Agencies
Advantages:
Can be selective. Can potentially get the best person for the job quickly.
Disadvantages:
Expensive.
Headhunting
Advantages:
Can select high quality candidates.
Headhunters know the market and the best people.
Can access people not actively on the job market.
Disadvantages:
Very expensive in the short term.
impetus noun [uncountable]
1 an influence that makes something happen or makes it happen more quickly刺激，推动力impetus for
The report may provide further impetus for reform.这份报告为改革提供了进一步的推动力。The discovery gave fresh impetus to the research. 这个发现给了这项研究以崭新的推动。
mindset noun [countable]
someone's general attitude, and the way in which they think about things and make decisions精神状态，思想倾向，气质
The company seems to have a very old-fashioned mindset. 这家公司看上去还是老的思维意识。
fresh adjective
?NEW?
adding to or replacing something 新的
I'll just make some fresh coffee. 我刚刚沏了新咖啡。
The report provides fresh evidence about the way the business was run. 这份报告针对这家企业的运行模式提供了全新的证据。
You'll have to start again on a fresh sheet of paper. 你用一张新纸重新开始。
?NEW AND INTERESTING?
good or interesting because it has not been done, seen etc before 全新的，饶有兴趣的
Ryan will bring a fresh approach to the job. 瑞恩将带着全新的态度来面对这份工作。
We need some fresh ideas. 我们需要一些新的想法。
Let's take a fresh look at the problem. 让我们再重新看待这个问题。
?RECENT?
done, experienced, or having happened recently
The accident was still fresh in her mind. 这个事故仍历历在目。
selective adjective
1 careful about what you choose to do, buy, allow etc 精挑新选的
selective about/in
We're very selective about what we let the children watch. 我们对可以给儿童看的节目精挑新选。
2. Reading.
So why do people headhunt?
headhunter noun [countable]
someone who finds people with the right skills and experience to do particular jobs, and who tries to persuade them to leave their present jobs 猎头
?headhunt verb [transitive]
niche noun
1 [countable] if you find your niche, you find a job or activity that is very suitable for you合适的职务（或地位等）
Amanda soon found her niche at the club. 阿曼达很快就在这家俱乐部里找到了最适合她的位置。
He's managed to create a niche for himself in local politics. 他设法在当地政治圈中为自己闯出一个适合的地位。
2 [singular] an opportunity to sell a product or service to a particular group of people who have similar needs, interests etc 出售稀缺产品的机会
niche in
He spotted a niche in the market. 他在市场上找到了一个稀缺市场。
3 [countable] a hollow place in a wall, often made to hold a statue 佛龛
niche adjective [only before noun]
relating to selling goods to a particular small group of people who have similar needs, interests etc niche marketing
a niche market
a niche product
an Achilles heel 致命弱点，唯一的弱点
Achilles
in ancient Greek stories, a hero who was protected by magic so that the only place where he could be hurt was his heel阿基里斯：出生后被其母亲握脚踵倒提着在黑河中浸过，因此除未浸到水的脚踵外浑身刀枪不入。
fed up adjective
informal annoyed or bored, and wanting something to change饱受, 厌烦
She felt tired and a bit fed up.她很疲倦，有一点烦躁。
fed up with
I'm really fed up with this constant rain.我真是受够了这连绵不断的雨水。
Anna got fed up with waiting.安娜受够了等待之苦。
blunt adj. speaking in an honest way even if this upsets people 钝的，率直的，直言不讳的
e.g. To be blunt, many of the candidates cannot read or write.
e.g. Julian's blunt words hurt her.
category noun[countable] plural categories
a group of people or things that are all of the same type 种类，类别
category of
There are five categories of workers. 有五种工人。
people in the over-45 age category 超过45岁的人群
fall into/belong in/fit into a category 属于某种情况
V oters fall into three main categories. 选民分成三种情况。
Williams' style does not fit easily into the category of jazz. 威廉的风格不能算是爵士乐这一类。
throw up (British English) to produce problems, ideas, results etc 产生
e.g. The arrangement may throw up problems in other areas. 这样的安排可能在其他方面产生
很多问题。
have (keep) …up (in) one’s sleeve 有……锦囊妙计，留有……一招
informal to have a secret plan or idea that you are going to use later
e.g. Don't worry. He still has a few tricks up his sleeve.
extension ?TELEPHONE?[countable]
a) one of many telephone lines connected to a central system in a large building, which all have different numbers 分机
Can I have extension 316, please? 你能帮我接316分机吗？
Do you know Mr Brown's extension number? 你找到布朗先生的分机号码吗？
b) one of the telephones in a house that all have the same number 家庭中一部电话在各个房间串成的分机
deduction noun [uncountable and countable]
1 the process of using the knowledge or information you have in order to understand something or form an opinion, or the opinion that you form 演绎，推论
Children will soon make deductions about the meaning of a word. 孩子们很快就可以通过推论知道这个单词的意思。
2 the process of taking away an amount from a total, or the amount that is taken away 减去
After deductions for tax etc, your salary is about £700 a month. 扣完税后，你的薪水是每个月700英镑。
work out phrasal verb
?CALCULATE?
work something ? out
to calculate an answer, amount, price etc 计算出
See if you can work this bill out. 看看你能不能把这个帐单算出结果来。
work out how much/how many etc
We'll have to work out how much food we'll need for the party. 我们应该估算一下这次聚会我们需要准备多少食物。
?COST?
if a cost or amount works out at a particular figure, it is found to be that much when you calculate it 算出…. 结果
work out at/to £10/$500 etc
The bill works out at £15 each. 这个帐单的总额为15英镑。
work out expensive/cheap etc (=be expensive or cheap) 计算后昂贵/便宜
If we go by taxi, it's going to work out very expensive. 如果我们打车去，那么我们会花很多钱的。
adjacent adj. 临近的，毗连的
a room, building, piece of land etc that is adjacent to something is next to it
e.g. We stayed in adjacent rooms.
adjacent to
e.g. the building adjacent to the library
for future reference
something kept for future reference is kept in order to be used or looked at in the future 为日后参考
come across phrasal verb
1 come across somebody/something
to meet, find, or discover someone or something by chance 碰到，发现
I came across an old diary in her desk. 我在她的办公桌上看到了一个老的日记本。
I've never come across anyone quite like her before. 我以前从未见过像她一样的人。
Explaining d
Comparing c
Emphasising a
Contrasting e
Exemplifying b
3.
(1) B (2) E (3) A (4) F
divulge verb [transitive] formal
to give someone information that should be secret泄露（秘密等）
?synonym reveal
divulge information/secrets/details etc (to somebody)
It is not company policy to divulge personal details of employees.
divulge that
Clare divulged that she was recovering from a nervous breakdown.
divulge what/where etc
The Pentagon refused to divulge what type of plane it was.
discreet adjective
1 careful about what you say or do, so that you do not offend, upset, or embarrass people or tell secrets（言行）谨慎地，慎言地
?opposite indiscreet
He assured her that he would be discreet.
?discreetly adverb
navigate v.
1 [intransitive and transitive] to find which way you need to go when you are travelling from one place to another 找路
e.g. I'll drive, you take the map and navigate. 我开车，你拿着地图找路。
e.g. Early explorers used to navigate by the stars . 早期的探险者是靠星星找路的。
navigate your way through/to/around something
We managed to navigate our way through the forest. 我们试图在森林里找到我们的出路。
2 [intransitive and transitive] to understand or deal with something complicated 理解或解决复杂的问题
A solicitor will help you navigate the complex legal system. 律师会帮助你解决这个复杂的法律问题。
navigate through
I am currently trying to navigate through a whole stack of information on the subject.
3 [transitive] to sail along a river or other area of water 航海
The river is too dangerous to navigate. 这条河太危险了，不能在里面航海。
4 [intransitive and transitive] to find your way around on a particular website, or to move from one website to another 在网站里搜寻
The magazine's website is easy to navigate. 这份杂志的网站很容易浏览到所需信息。
contribute to v. 投稿，撰稿
to write articles, stories, poems etc for a newspaper or magazine
e.g. one of several authors contributing to the book
--- contributor
5. Speaking.
Theheadhuntingprocess
IV. The headhunting process
1. Listening.
specialise in: to limit all or most of your study, business etc to a particular subject or activity
e.g. Simmons specialized in contract law.
Answer key:
(1) agency recruitment
(2) skills shortages
(3) desk research
(4) neutral location
(5) presents his findings
(6) offer process
(7) first annual salary
(8) a retainer
(9) strengths and weaknesses
(10) key players
(11) commercial sensitive
(12) motivated
V ocabulary
prevalent adjective
common at a particular time, in a particular place, or among a particular group of people 盛行的
prevalent in/among etc
prevalent among younger teenagers在青少年中很盛行
?prevalence noun [singular, uncountable]
prevail verb [intransitive not in progressive] formal
1if a belief, custom, situation etc prevails, it exists among a group of people at a certain time盛行，普遍
prevail in/among etc
the economic conditions which prevail in England and Wales 在英格兰和威尔士非常普遍的经济情况
utmost adjective also uttermost
the utmost importance/respect/care etc
the greatest possible importance etc 最重要的
a matter of the utmost importance 一件极为重要的事情
I've got the utmost respect for her accomplishments. 我对她所取得的成就表示最高的敬意。Baldwin treated the matter with the utmost seriousness. …对这件事采取最为严肃的态度。
discretion noun [uncountable]
1 the ability and right to decide exactly what should be done in a particular situation 斟酌决定的自由，处理权
at somebody's discretion
(=according to someone's decision) 随….的意见，由…斟酌决定
The awards are made at the discretion of the committee. 这些奖项是由委员会做出的决定。Promotions are left to the discretion of the supervisor. 职位提升的决定由总监做出。discretion over/as to
People want to have more discretion over their working hours. 人们想对自己的工作实践能够做出决定。
use/exercise your discretion
discretion to do something
The committee has the absolute discretion to refuse applications.
2 the ability to deal with situations in a way that does not offend, upset, or embarrass people or tell any of their secrets谨慎，慎重
British newspapers no longer feel they must treat the royal family with discretion. 英国报纸不再觉得他们必须谨慎地对待皇室成员。
facilitate verb [transitive] formal to make it easier for a process or activity to happen 有利于，有助于
Computers can be used to facilitate language learning. 电脑可以用来帮助语言学习。
?facilitation noun [uncountable]
facilitator noun [countable]
someone who helps a group of people discuss things with each other or do something effectively
帮助讨论的人
instalment also installment American English [countable]
1 one of a series of regular payments that you make until you have paid all the money you owe 分期付款
the second instalment of a loan 偿付贷款的第二次还款
They're letting me pay for the washing machine by monthly installments. 他们让我按照每月还款的方式购买这台洗衣机。
2 one of the parts of a story that appears as a series of parts, especially in a magazine, newspaper etc 故事的连载
the first instalment of a science fiction trilogy 科幻三部曲中的第一部
请比较
install verb [transitive]
1 to put a piece of equipment somewhere and connect it so that it is ready to be used 安装
They've installed the new computer network at last. 他们最终安装了新型的电脑网络。Security cameras have been installed in the city centre. 安全摄像机被安置在市中心。
2 to add new software to a computer so that it is ready to be used 安装新软件
?反义词uninstall
We've installed new anti-virus software. 我们安装了新的防病毒软件。
3 to put someone in an important job or position, especially with a ceremony 宣誓就职Churchill was installed as Chancellor of the university. 丘吉尔宣誓就职担任了这所大学的校长。
installation noun
1 [uncountable] when someone fits a piece of equipment somewhere 安装
the installation and maintenance of alarm systems
retainer n.（法律）（律师等之）聘请费
an amount of money paid to someone, especially a lawyer, so that they will continue to work for you in the future
painstaking adjective [usually before noun]
very careful and thorough仔细的，完整的
The work had been done with painstaking attention to detail. 这个工作是在非常注意细节的情况下完成的。
Chris described in painstaking detail what had happened. 克里斯非常详细地描述了发生了的事情。
?painstakingly adverb
The old painting was painstakingly restored.
unethical adj. morally unacceptable不道德的，不合乎道德的
e.g. unethical medical practices
---unethically adverb
P84 One-minute talk: how to fill a key vacancy
Does the student show a clear understanding of the task? Yes
SHORT Is there an appropriate introduction and conclusion? Partly
Are the student’s ideas well-organised and logically ordered? Yes
TALK Is appropriate signposting and linking language used? Yes
Does the student develop ideas rather than repeat them? Yes
Are the ideas clearly expressed and easy to understand? Yes
Does the student speak in a clear and natural manner? Yes
Is the talk of an appropriate length? Yes
psychometric adjective
relating to the measurement of mental abilities and qualities
psychometric tests心理测试
psychometrics n. 心理测试学
One-minute talk: The importance of having a good CV
Does the student show a clear understanding of the task? Yes
SHORT Is there an appropriate introduction and conclusion? Yes
Are the student’s ideas well-organised and logically ordered? Yes
TALK Is appropriate signposting and linking language used? Yes
Does the student develop ideas rather than repeat them? Yes
Are the ideas clearly expressed and easy to understand? Yes
Does the student speak in a clear and natural manner? Yes
Is the talk of an appropriate length? No
4. Writing.
Dear Mr Jacobs
I am writing to apply for the position of Sales Adviser for the North East Region which was advertised in the Herald International yesterday.
Although I am currently working in the Marketing Department of a large multinational, I would appreciate the opportunity to work for a rapidly expanding young company such as yours.
As you can see from my enclosed CV, I obtained an honours degree in Sales and Marketing from Nottingham University in 1994. I thoroughly enjoyed the six months I spent working in Sales at Boots plc as part of the course. During this time I gained invaluable insights into the nature of sales. After leaving university I initially spent time working for a small local firm before finding my current job and I feel that I am more suited to the dynamics and varied demands of a smaller firm.
Not only has my work experience familiarised me with the challenges faced by the industry today but, having been brought up in the north east, I know the region, its problems and its undoubted potential. As a result, I feel that I would be able to relate to your customers on both a professional and a personal level.
I am available for interview from 15 September and would be pleased to discuss my CV with you in more detail then.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely
honours degree noun [countable]
a British university degree that is above the basic level in one or two particular subjects 优等学位first/second/third class honours degree
joint honours degree (=a degree in two main subjects)
relate verb
1 [intransitive] if two things relate, they are connected in some way 联系
?synonym connect
I don't understand how the two ideas relate. 我不知道这两个想法是如何联系在一起的。relate to
The charges of fraud relate to events that took place over ten years ago. 指控欺诈罪行与十年间发生的事情有关联。
2 [transitive] if you relate two different things, you show how they are connected 将…联系relate something to something
The report seeks to relate the rise in crime to an increase in unemployment. 这份报告将犯罪率的上升与失业的上升联系在一起。
3 [transitive] formal to tell someone about events that have happened to you or to someone else 告诉
relate something to somebody
He later related the whole story to me. 他事后将整个故事的经过告诉了我。
4 [intransitive] to feel that you understand someone's problem, situation etc 理解
relate to
Laurie finds it difficult to relate to children. 劳拉觉得理解孩子很困难。
I know he feels upset, and I can relate to that. 我知道他很不高兴，我对此表示理解。
Oralpractice
V. Oral Practice.
u Staff Training: how to evaluate the effectiveness of company training programmes
ü思路拓展
Formal: tests, appraisals, simulation tests
Informal: regular dialogues
ü话语连接
Companies should retain the talented staff by various means including regular training. Therefore, there should be some measures to evaluate the effectiveness of training programmes to satisfy staff’s real needs and motivate them.
First, companies can organise formal ways of evaluation.
Second, regular dialogues should be held to know their progress and their complaints.
That’s the ways of evaluation of training programmes.
ü实践操作
Companies should retain the talented staff by various means including regular training. Therefore, some measures should be taken to evaluate the effectiveness of training programmes to satisfy staff’s real needs and motivate them. First, companies can organise formal ways of evaluation. Formal evaluation formats include written tests, appraisals and simulation tests. These formats can guarantee reliable and objective results to evaluate the effectiveness. Second, regular dialogues should be held to know their progress and their complaints. Both line managers and management teams should use every possible opportunity to ask opinions on the effectiveness to get first-hand information. The above mentioned is not all approaches to evaluation but is what I believe the most frequently used ones.
u Personnel Management: the importance to a company of having well motivated staff
ü思路拓展
Motivated staff can contribute more to the company, such as more innovation, and more productivity.
Motivated staff can be loyal to the company and bring long-term benefits.
ü话语连接
It is very important to have a stable workforce, especially motivated workforce. The reasons are as follows. First, well-motivated staff can contribute more to the company.
Second, well-motivated staff will definitely bring long-term benefits.
Overall, companies should consider measures to make sure their workforce is well-motivated and bring out more productivity.
ü实践操作
It is very important to have a stable workforce, especially motivated workforce. The reasons are as follows. First, well-motivated staff can contribute more to the company. For instance, line workers
can present innovative measures to refine production procedures. Quality control staff can make much more painstaking screening on the goods. Second, well-motivated staff will definitely bring long-term benefits. Well-motivated staff are bound to be loyal to the company. Therefore, companies can save costs on recruitment, maintain staff morale, and keep your company secrets safe. Overall, companies should consider measures to make sure their workforce is well-motivated and generate more benefits and returns to the company.
Businesspassagereading
VI. Business Passage Reading.
Money alone just won’t cut the mustard
Dennis Eng
Higher pay, a rapidly growing pool of fresh graduates and a greater sense of entrepreneurship are transforming the ma inland’s talent landscape.
This comes as more multinationals face the growing challenges of recruiting and retaining staff, human resources experts warn.
“You have to offer more than just monetary compensation. I think that’s short-term and lazy approach,”said James Hulbert, Nortel Networks (Asia)’s talent strategist for Greater China.
Xie Dong, group vice-general manager of mainland developer China Vanke, agreed, pointing out that difficulties in overcoming differences in corporate cultures remained a key problem for many foreign companies recruiting and training local staff.
This is not just limited to differences between Chinese and western corporate styles and cultures but to differences specific to individual cities and provinces.
Mak Ping-on, senior vice-president of human resources for GE Consumer Finance Asia, said this issue would become even more evident when the hukou system was removed, Hukou refers to a wartime system of identifying residents of cities and provinces and restricting their movements to other areas of China.
“If you are a company in Shanghai and you want to recruit some one from another province, you have to go through a lot of paperwork, Mr. Mak said.
Even when the recruitment was complete, animosities between people from different cities and provinces might arise.
This and unfamiliarity with western corporate culture, especially among graduates, has led to a relatively high staff turnover.
According to Daisy Dai, vice-president of human resources with L’Oreal China, staff turnover in its marketing team is about 15 per cent.
“A lot of our fresh graduates have left. In fact, we almost lost all of them as they found the leaning process painful,” Ms Dai said.
L’Oreal China receives 100 times more job applications than the number of po sitions available. The flood of fresh graduates of local talent has also led to a marked convergence in salaries.
mustard noun [uncountable]
1 a yellow sauce with a strong taste, eaten especially with meat
2 a plant with yellow flowers and seeds that are used to make mustard sauce
3 a yellow-brown colour
4 cut the mustard
informal to be good enough to do something
Other magazines have tried to copy ZAPP, but have never quite cut the mustard.
animosity noun[uncountable and countable] plural animosities
strong dislike or hatred ?synonym hostility
animosity between
There is no personal animosity between the party leaders.
animosity towards/against
She felt a certain amount of animosity towards him.
converge verb [intransitive]
1 to come from different directions and meet at the same point to become one thing
?opposite diverge
The two rivers converge into one near Pittsburgh.
2 if groups of people converge in a particular place, they come there from many different places and meet together to form a large crowd
converge on
Reporters converged on the scene.
3 if different ideas or aims converge, they become the same
?opposite diverge
Cultural beliefs about the role of women converge with government policies.
?convergent adjective
The member states should start to have more convergent policies.
Homework
VII. Homework
1.
l The bar chart below shows the quantity of sales made by all retailers in Britain on each day of the week for the years 1996 and 2000.
l Using the information from the bar chart, write a short report describing all the changes that took place between 1996 and 2000.
l Write 120-140 words on the separate answer paper provided.