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1. A
ll scientific knowledge is provisional 暂定的. Everything that science knows,
even the most mundane 平凡的 facts and long-established theories, is subject to re-
examination as new information comes in the latest data and ideas are scrutinized详细检查
the most. Some recantations 改变论调will be unavoidable, but this is not a weakness of
science, but rather its strength. No endeavor 努力rivals science in its incremental 增长的
progress towards a more complete understanding of the observable universe.
a) Science improves understanding on the basis of leaving unchallenged those
theories that appear to work. F
b) Some facts in science cannot be challenged if any progress is to be made. C
c) That which is not observable cannot be part of the domain领域of science. C
2. A
t the moment of GTC, like other European producers, is able to relieve at least
some of its over-capacity by exporting, partly to Central America. A decade from now, that
region will be largely self-sufficient 自给自足的and trade will be starting to flow the other
way. However, for GTC investors, the company’s recent restructure调整could herald预兆
better times. The group’s lack of focus and lack-luster 荣耀 returns have been much
criticized of late.
a) Central America will, in the future, begin to export less to Europe. F
b) Central American producers will find a ready market for their products in Europe.
C
c) Restructuring generally produces an increase in profitability. C
3. A new computer program can tell whether a book was written by a man or a
woman. The simple scan of key words and syntax 语法 is about 80% accurate on both
fiction and non-fiction. The program’s success seems to confirm the stereotypical 老套的
perception of differences in male and female language use. Crudely未加修饰地put, men talk
more about objects and women more about relationships.
Female writers use more pronouns (I, you, she, myself), whilst males prefer words that identify or
determine nouns (a, the, that) and words that quantify them (one, two, more). These differing
styles have previously been called “involved” and “informational”, respectively.
The algorithm运算法则within the program was initially trained on a few test cases to identify the
most prevalent普遍的fingerprints of gender and of fiction and non-fiction. The algorithm can now
be focused on new bodies of text. Strikingly 显著地, the distinctions between male and female
writers are much the same as those that, even more clearly, differentiate nonfiction-and fiction.
The program can tell these two genres类型 apart with 98% accuracy.
a) Stereotypes老套 are generally based on fact. C
b) Women are more likely than men to adopt an “informational” style of written
communication. F
c) The program is more accurate at identifying the gender of the writer than the fiction
or non-fiction content of the passage一段. F
4. Amateur 业余爱好者 scientists have long been attracted to the discipline 学科 of
astronomy 天 文 学 , and professional astronomers are frequently supportive of theircontribution to the science. Indeed, amateur astronomers have often been the first to spot
an uncharted 未知的comet 彗星or star. Until now, the required scientific equipment has,
unfortunately, been largely very expensive, varying according to the intricacy复杂and size
of the apparatus 器械. According to some scientists, however, the spread of new, cheap
technology, particularly in information and data management, promises to dramatically
change and facilitate amateur-professional interaction, and collaboration.
Amateur-professional collaboration will contribute to the advancement of astronomy. T
In the past, all scientific equipment required for research in astronomy was very expensive. C
Following the spread of new, and cheaper technology, more amateur scientists are collaborating
with professionals. C
5. A superficial consideration of biotechnology will commonly present an impression
of ethical neutrality. On the contrary, however, it is closely related to the frequently
conflicting values and aspirations of society. Genetically modified food is a particularly
good example, presenting the potential to bear more resilient and nutritious crops, and thus
contribute to the fight against world hunger, while simultaneously raising concerns
regarding its long-term effects and environmental ethics. It is this ethical and scientific
controversy that ultimately lead to the rejection of genetically modified food in Europe.
a) The debate surrounding the ethics of genetically modified food contributed to its
rejection in some countries. T
b) The risk of genetically modified food outweighs the potential benefits. C
c) The European population is more concerned with the environmental ethics of
genetically modified food than other societies. C
6. Communication technologies are far from equivalent 相等的. A recent study
comparing honesty across a range of different media revealed that people were twice as
likely to tell lies when using the phone as when communicating via e-mail. It had
previously been assumed that people would be more inclined 倾斜的to fabricate 伪造the
truth when using e-mail, due to the remoteness of the interaction making people more
comfortable about deceiving欺骗地others. On the contrary, it seems that anxiety over the
accountability可说明性afforded by the recording of e-mail exchanges induces诱导者greater
truthfulness. However, the research also noted that people are much more likely to be rude
or insulting over e-mail, outweighing any benefits of increased honesty.
a) An implication of the study is that if telephone conversations are recorded and
people are aware of this fact, they are likely to be more truthful over the phone. T
b) People are unconcerned about the repercussion反响of e-mail untruths. F
c) It had been assumed that people would communicate more honestly when using e-
mail than when using the telephone. F
7.
For many years, manufacturing practices remained devoid of innovation. That
is, until the midl-1990s, when trends in modern manufacturing created a virtual revolution.
This was driven by economic survival, global competition and rapidly changing customer
markets. These external forces led to the introduction of production methods such as just-
in-time inventory control, advanced manufacturing technology, and integratedmanufacturing systems. These practices meant that manufactures could remain responsive
to market conditions and produce items which met customers’ needs. However, these new
innovations have not necessarily meant that the quality and durability of products have
improved.
a) Introducing just-in-time inventory control is the best way to remain responsive to
market demands. C
b) Manufacturers who do not take up modern manufacturing methods will not
automatically produce inferior items. C
c) All manufacturers have introduced new production practices to survive. C
8. For most people, any reference to hypnosis 催 眠 brings to mind images of
individuals involved in amusing, and often out of character 与自身特性不相符, behavior.
However, hypnosis is also a topic of scientific research. Research by scientists over the last
few decades has revealed ways in which memory processes, and processes involved in
pain perception痛知觉can be changed using hypnosis. It has also been found that hypnotic
催眠的suggestions can regulate activity in identifiable可识别的sections of the brain and can
contribute to the effective management of cognitive认知的conflict. Findings from several
related brain imaging studies, for example, have suggested that people under hypnosis cab
驾驶室exhibit reduced level of brain activity in both visual area and the anterior cingulate
cortex. Disparate不同的research has already established the role of these brain structures in
the monitoring the cognitive conflict.
a) Under hypnosis most individuals participate in entertaining activities. C
9. F
inancial fraud is a crime of growing significantly. In 2003, 8% of reported
business-related crimes was fraud, averaging $35000 in losses. By 2005, whilst financial
fraud was found to be the sixth-most frequent crime, it was the third-highest concern
amongst business leaders. Researchers found that, globally, internet-based fraud was rising
dramatically in 2005. The main reasons for fraud included poor supervision and lack of
proper division of duties, inadequate control of access to system, and poor authorization
controls. Internal detective measures uncovered 无防备less than half of the cases, with an
increasing number of cases being discovered by accident. One third of the cases were
committed by managerial-staff, while half were committed by non-managerial staff.
a) Detective methods were operating very effectively in 2005. F
b) Over half of all cases of fraud in 2005 were discovered by accident. C
c) Business leaders are more concerned about financial fraud than before because of
the growth of the Internet. C
10. Full employment is a concept, which is often referred to but seldom 很少defined.
Beveridge’s description comes close to what most economists understand by the term. In
his view full employment means that “unemployment is reduced to short intervals间隔of
standing by, with the certainty that very soon one will be wanted in one’s old job again or
will be wanted in a new job that is within one’s powers.” In other words, fill employment
does not mean zero unemployment, but allows for some measure of acceptable
unemployment, for example, “frictional摩擦力的” unemployment whilst changing jobs.a) Definitions of full employment are abundant大量的. F
b) Some economists do not understand full employment in Beveridge’s terms. C
c) In B’s view, full employment incorporates those unemployed people who are
certain to regain work very shortly. T
11. Genuine altruism, when defined as ‘selfless helping’, has been shown in recent
years to be a most elusive, indeed paradoxical, concept. In fact, some people now view it
as some kind of ideal that never really existed. How could anybody be entirely selfless and
help without any expectation of a reward of some type? According to some people, the
pleasure of helping is itself its own reward, whereas others also mention the displeasure
that would accompany a refusal to help somebody in need as the motive underlying
altruistic behavior. True believers suggest that altruism, based on the notion of selfless
helping, should be something that we all strive towards.
a) We can now say that altruistic behavior, that is selfless helping, used to be
better understood in the past. C
b) There is currently no consensus surrounding the true motives for perceived
altruistic helping T
c) Helping is never genuinely selfless. C
d) Some people may be unsure about whether their perceived selfless helping
behavior is really selfless. T
12. Human mortality死亡率, whilst consisting of unpredictable individual events, has
a statistical regularity规则性when averaged across a large group. This makes possible a
whole host很多of products, of which the annuity养老金is one. The price of an annuity
paying a fixed regular income for life is based upon the statistical life expectancy of the
purchaser at the time the annuity is to begin. The company selling the annuity will benefit
from all those customers that die earlier than predicted, while customers are attracted by
the prospect of guaranteed income for as long as they live. Annuities have the
disadvantage that the capital invested is unrecoverable 不能收回的(i.e. upon the death of
annuitant nothing is left for the heirs), but that fact also enables annuities to guarantee
higher payments than could be obtained if the same sum of money were invested at
interest.
a) The heirs of a person who buy an annuity tend to be against the purchase. C
b) Essentially, the purchaser of an annuity is gambling that they will live long enough
to receive a good return on their investment. T
c) Annuity returns are generally similar to returns from investing the money in an
interest bearing accounts.
13. Horticulturalists园艺师 must take into account many factors when planning
the reproduction 繁殖 of plants. Propagation 繁殖 by seed is the most common
method employed as it is relatively easy and has a good expected rate of
germination 萌芽. Although this can drop if the seed has been packaged for more than
a year. Many seeds can remain viable 切实可行的 for up to 5 years if properly
stored, as their protective coats prevent sprouting 发 芽 until ideal growingconditions exist. External conditions can be manipulated 操作 in order to bring
seeds out dormancy 冬眠, and hasten 催促 germination. However, even in optimal
conditions, some seeds are reluctant to sprout.
a) All seeds will germinate, given the right environmental conditions. F
b) The reproduction of flora( 某地区或某时期的 )植物群 ;植物区系 ; 植物志
involves many aspects for horticulturalists to consider. T
c) The rate at which seeds sprout out can decline after the first year of being
packaged. T
d) The vigilant 警觉的 management of external factors can bring a seed out of
its quiescent 休眠的 state.T
e) Most horticulturalists are reluctant to plant seeds that have been preserved for more
than a year.
f) Reproducing plants by seed is the most common activity for gardeners.
14. In casual language 俚 语 , the terms theory and model are often used
interchangeably可替换地. From a technical point of view there is an important difference.
Theories provide a general framework, but because of the generality 概 论 of the
specification 详述, a theory cannot be shown to be useful or useless until it is fully
specified in the form of a model. A model, on the other hand, needs by definition to be
formulated within the concepts, along with a set of assumptions about the concepts and
their relationships. The appropriateness措辞是否得体of a model must then be evaluated
with respect to a particular set of test data. The evaluation may be done by conducting a
suitably designed set of empirical investigations实证调查研究, by rational inspection of
the model assumptions in relation to the test data, or ideally both.
In the strict sense ,严格来讲, all models provide incomplete不完全的representations of the data
to which they to fitted. Therefore the meaningful question is not whether a model is correct or
incorrect, but rather whether the model fits the data well enough to be useful in guiding the
process. Statistical evidence and judgment play important roles in answering that question.
a) It is more meaningful to look at the practical utility of a model than its absolute
veracity正确度. T
b) Most people fail to understand the difference between a theory and a model. C
c) A model can exist in the absence缺乏of a theory.
15. Internet experts are warning of a new multitude 群众 of extremely dangerous
computer viruses that have recently been causing devastation 荒废 and could potentially
cripple 削弱 entire global computer systems. These viruses can replicate thousands of
copies within hours and are capable of extirpating 根除 security software that, in turn,
enables hackers to appropriate control of the machines. Criminal gangs 成群结队 can
then establish bank accounts using stolen identities, sabotage 破坏a company’s computer
system and extort 敲诈 money for its restoration, and sell computers that have been
interfered with on the black market. Computer users are often advised to refrain忍住from
opening suspicious program attached to the emails and to continually update their security
software.
a) Internet experts are advising computer users to replace their software if theysuspect it has been tampered窜改 with. C
16. In recent years, many issues have been considered when attempting to ameliorate
改良the wellbeing福利of patients and the efficiency of hospital administration. Patients
have often complained about endless waiting lists, low standards of cleanliness, poor
hospital food, and unsatisfactory doctor-patient communication and now, according to an
expert from a leading image consultancy, doctors’ dress codes and their general appearance
must come under close scrutiny仔细检查. Of healthcare professionals have an unwashed
appearance, dirty nails or unkempt 不整洁的 hair, this exudes 散发 the impression of
recklessness 轻 率 , wearing red reminds patients of blood, and power dressing is
discouraged because patients may feel undermined 渐渐破坏 and less relaxed. Although
campaign groups approve of healthcare professionals leading by example with high
standards of hygiene 卫生学 in hospitals, some individuals argue that this potential new
image legislation is merely a case of jumping on the bandwagon 流行of the current media
trend for home and lifestyle makeovers.
a) New hospital legislation states that healthcare professionals must have clean
fingernails. T
b) It is always preferable较喜爱的for healthcare professionals to wear blue instead
of red. C
c) Individuals have argued that the current media trend for lifestyle makeover is a
direct result of the concern over the image of healthcare professionals.
17. Increasingly, psychotherapy is being shown in relevant studies to be an effective
form of treatment for mental disorders in its own right, despite frequent claims that
evidence for its effectiveness in a number of serious disorders is almost totally lacking.
Moreover, studies have suggested that a combination of psychotherapy and appropriate
medication may lead, in the case of at least some identifiable mental disorders, to
significantly better outcomes compared to those in which medication is applied without
the support of psychotherapy. This provides support for mental health professionals to
consider psychotherapy when deciding on the treatment of patients suffering from mental
disorders.
a) There are conditions for which the combination of psychotherapy and
medication does not improve the outcome in comparison to the use of medication
alone.T
b) It cannot be concluded that psychotherapy can be as effective as medication in
the treatment of every form of mental disorder. T
c) Psychotherapy, often combined with medication is used more and more by
mental health professionals. C
18. In many organizations, middle manager positions can be difficult, especially
periods of significant change. While trying to do their best to implement changes imposed
by senior management, they may realize that promoting the interests of the organization
often conflicts with their own best interests, and those of their colleagues and subordinates.Such realizations can sometimes result in high levels of additional stress for those
managers. No effective solution to this problem has been found and, if the way in which
most organizations operate does not change in some relevant way soon, it is likely that we
will see increase in absenteeism and turnover amongst middle managers.
a) Conflicts of interest are common for middle managers during periods of
organizational change. T
b) Middle managers who realize that they have to implement changes that are
imposed upon them that are not in line with the own best interest, will always experience
stress as a result. F
c) If the way in which most organizations operate changes soon in some relevant way,
it is likely that we will see a decrease in absenteeism and turnover among middle
managers. C
d) Some middle managers have to operate in ways that may interfere with their own
interests. T
19. In general, the longer a customer stays with a company, the more that
customer is worth. Long term customers buy more whilst costing less to service; they
take up less of a company’s time and are less sensitive to price. They are also more likely
to bring in other new customers. Senior managers usually gauge company performance on
the basis of cash flow and profit. They rarely study the statistic that reflects how much real
value the company is creating-customer retention.
a) Long-term business success depends mainly on customer retention. C
b) Senior managers pay due attention to customer retention
20. Last week, the competition commission outlined two packages to regulate the sale
of extended product warranties 特约条款, which provide repair/replacement for faulty
goods beyond the manufacturer’s original guarantee. Whilst warranty sales are currently
highly profitable, with some retailers attributing up to ¾ of their profits to this income
stream, they are also criticized for offering poor value for money due to obscure 隐藏
clauses, which restrict payment in many, but the most unlikely claim scenarios. The first
package-to ban retailers selling a full warranty on the day of purchase was condemned 被
没收 by all as draconian 严峻的-whilst the other, rather milder 生霉, option of forcing
retailers to provide full information on warranty exclusions 除外责任 and an obligatory
60–day “cool-off” period for customers, received a more balanced hearing.
Because no one believes that the first option will ever be implemented, investors and analysts have
focused more closely on the implication of the “milder” package. In a recent leaked research note,
one analyst suggested that the implementation of the reform in the second package would place a
staff-training burden on the retailer, which would lead to a significant increase in the cost of
warranty sales, and a predicted 20% fall in actual sales.
a) “ Cool-off” periods are not currently offered by companies selling product
warranties. T
b) It is likely that neither package will be implemented. C
c) Preventing retailers from selling warranties on the day of purchase of a product was
felt to be too severe a restriction. T21. Lack of water is an ever-worsening global crisis, with over forty percent of the
world’s population now suffering from regular and severe water shortages. Increases in
population mean that there is less water available per capita. In addition, pollution-related
global warming is making some countries, which were already short of water, even hotter
and drier. Demand for water is doubling every twenty years and there are predictions that,
in the future, nations may go to war to fight for its control.
a) Oil shortages, more than a lack of water, are likely to result in wa---- C
b) Neither climate change nor population expansion are exacerbating the water
shorage problem F
c) Some countries are not affected by global warming C
22. Management is, in effect 实际上, the catalyst 催化剂 that is essential for
converting the resources and raw material inputs of the operation into valued outputs and,
in the process, ensuring that stakeholder needs are satisfied. Managers represent the
critical factor, which economists refer to as “enterprise”, without which the other factors
(land, labor and capital) cannot function. Managers are effectively the custodians 保管人
of the organization’s resource, responsible for deciding what the resources should be used
for, how best to use them, and to which customers the outputs should be targeted.
a) Stakeholder needs are best served through the creation of valued outputs. C
b) Management has at least two major but different responsibilities. A
c) Managers must decide how best to handle all the resources at their disposal. A
23. One of the great paradoxes 自相矛盾 of entrepreneurship 企业家精神 is that
entrepreneurs must develop the capacity to engage the urgent with the emergent. Routine
pressures force us to allow the urgent to dominate us, quarterly reports, market share, and
tangible return on investment become paramount 最高的 in this paradox, emergent
(strategic) issues are often lost.
The urgent presents itself in tangible shape and form, whereas the emergent is subtler 微妙in its
appearance. Entrepreneurs need to pre-sense emergent reality, thus they require more than
ordinary attentiveness 专注. However, information consumes the attention of the recipient, and
urgent information is by nature more demanding of attention than emergent. Yet it is an awareness
of the emergent that frequently distinguishes the successful leader, the individual who can see
through the reactive demands of day-to-day urgency to act rapidly upon the emergent trends that,
if capitalized upon, can ensure commercial triumph. One way of ensuring time to identify the
emergent is to make time for reflective moments in work life in order to restore the quality of
attentiveness and see through the fog of the immediate.
a) It is easier to spot an emergent trend an urgent issue. F
b) The present tends to be governed by the immediate demands. T
c) It is easy to lose sight of the strategic issues given the demands that immediate
issues make. T
24. Over the past decade there has been a steady growth in the holiday industry whilst
the number of travel agencies has declined. This is due to the increasing number ofcustomers who are booking their holidays online, because of a quicker and more
financially viable service. However, specialist travel agencies, such as those focusing on
particular regions or holiday activities, remain successful as they have an in-depth
understanding of a region and the customers who go there. The staffs are also multilingual,
and thanks to their specialized knowledge they can provide good deals, meaning that their
prices are often lower than non-specialist travel agents and online companies.
a) A travel agent’s specialist knowledge can be used to the financial benefit of the
customer. T
b) It is not always more expensive for the customer to book holidays with a travel
agent. T
c) More people are booking their holidays online rather than through a travel agent,
even though it takes longer to find the right holiday this way. F
25. Organizations are encouraged to provide employees with flexible working
opportunities through work-life balance strategies, and workers are increasingly attracted
to organizations that offer such strategies. For employees, the opportunity to work flexible
hours can reduce conflicts between work and family life, workplace stress, and work
overload. However, some senior managers are reluctant to fully support these initiatives
due to the substantial costs involved, which escalate with staff numbers. Then again, the
cost of implementing flexible working strategies can be compensated by a reduction in
absenteeism and improvements in organizational commitment and employee motivation.
a)A likely increase in employee motivation would not be a reason for an organization
to implement strategies aimed at improving employee’s work-life balance. F
b)The cost of implementing flexible working strategies is not dependent on the
number of employees. F
c)Employees who have flexible working hours will have happier home lives
compared to those who do not.C
26. Political, economic and demographic developments are combining to increase the
wealth of individuals leading economies. These individuals take a much more active role
in managing their personal financial affairs and in determining how their assets should be
invested for their long-term benefit. As a result, we are seeing the emergence of a new
market, consisting of so-called “affluent individuals”. This structural trend is set to
continue and will provide significant opportunities for financial services providers. This
band of individuals has traditionally been dominated by old money inheritance, and this
will remain a factor, but the rise of new affluent money is increasing as individuals benefit
from higher salaries and compensation in the form of stock options. These new affluent
individuals are also creating wealth as small business entrepreneurs.
a) Affluent individuals want to manage their own assets rather than use financial
service providers. F
b) Individuals cannot become “affluent” through inheriting old money. F
c) Inherited old money will be completely replaced by new affluent money. F
27. Private airline companies have always been determined to operate a transportsystem that is safe for passengers, whilst still remaining competitively priced and
commercially viable. However, a private sector business can only remain viable if it
generates profits for its shareholders. Recent reports suggest that if all aircrafts were fitted
with military derived ground-to-air missile defense system, and at all airports there was
infallible screening for weapons and explosives then the system would be much safer.
However, totally effective screening would preclude all possibility of profit, and current
systems are still very thorough, whilst also providing a good cost-benefit ratio.
a) More effective airline security system than are currently in use are available. A
b) Military aircraft are safer than commercial craft. C
c) Current airline security systems provide the best possible mix of cost against
benefit. C
28.
Workers are becoming increasingly concerned about company relocation due to
its association with employee distress and isolation, which can be caused by issues such as
the management of property transitions and loss of community ties. Furthermore, moving
home can put a strain on 过 高 要 求 worker financial resources and close
relationships, especially for those working parents who may feel guilty about moving
children to new schools. Regardless of the disruption created, some individuals are very
willing to relocate, due to the potential for enhanced career prospects and long-term
financial stability.
a)The potential benefits of job relocation are seen, by some, to be worth the
associated distress and strain.T
b)Company relocation has increased.C
c)Some people may feel guilty about the consequences of relocating.T
d)Company relocation can lead to distress for employees. T
29. Short-sightedness is to a large extent inherited, its incidence varies from one
family to another. The reason behind the link between the common incidence of short-
sightedness and high intelligence is unclear. Previous generations thought that eyes could
become strained by years spent poring over books, but a few decades ago the popular
medical view was that short-sighted people gravitated towards the library because they
found it hard to excel at sports. Recently there has been partial support for a theory that
high intelligence and short-sightedness may, in fact, be part of a genetic package.
a) The genetic link between intelligence and short-sightedness has recently been
disproven. C
b) People from all families stand at an equal chance of being short-sighted. F
c) Intelligence is to a large extent inherited C
30. Some doctors claim that any information received from a patient during a medical
consultation is subject ethically to absolute confidentiality and can in no circumstance be
revealed without the patient’s permission. Without such a rule, they believe that patients
would not supply all of the information needed to treat them. Most however, believe that
their obligations to society override their obligations to their patients; for example, being
prepared to report to the police a patient who persisted in driving, despite the existence ofa condition that rendered them unsafe. One reason for such a conflict is that whilst courts
recognize the confidentiality of exchange between lawyers and clients, this is not extended
to doctor and patients.
a) A doctor would report to the police a patient who was a danger to others. C
b) Patients rarely give permission for a doctor to discuss their medical details with
others. C
c) Doctors are in agreement about the ethics and practice of patient confidentiality. F
31. Staff monitoring is a particularly issue for managers – the only kind of staff
monitoring not subject to regulation is where one individual watches another. Once any
recording starts, even if it is manual, monitoring is subject to the Data Protection Act –
employees need to be told about monitoring takes place and why. The information
gathered has to be kept secure, and affected staffs have the right to see information related
to them. Whilst a person’s consent is not required, he or she must be consulted about the
processing of personal information (monitoring data is construed as “personal”), and
monitoring practices must not cause unnecessary stress. However, covert monitoring
without consultation may be used, but only in particularly serious circumstances, such as
when a staff member is suspected of dishonest. In such a case, the covert surveillance (e.g.
hidden cameras) must be in targeted areas and at times when the dishonest behavior is
expected- any other information must be disregarded.
a) It is not possible to avoid the Data Protection Act when monitoring staff. F
b) Managers find it difficult to justify the use of covert monitoring procedures. C
c) Any employee in a building where monitoring is taking place may see all of the
information collected. F
32. Sandford Group’s first end of year announcement since the takeover of SPX Inc
placed much emphasis on the period of extreme transformation and development
undergone by the company. Emphasis was placed on the admirable way that its employees
had steered the company through a turbulent six months, and subsequent benefits that were
being reaped, such as a steady growth of the Sandford brands in the marketplace. Whilst
recognizing that the takeover had been undertaken as a way of increasing market share,
rather than improving efficiency, the announcement made much of the substantial yet
somewhat unintended cost reductions that had taken place. This was explained by the swift
introduction of SPX’s computer systems which permitted a Group headcount cut and also
the subletting of surplus office space.
a) The time since takeover has not always been easy for Sandford. T
b) The takeover achieved more for the company than was initially planned. C
c) The performance of the Sandford brands was poor prior to the takeover. C
33. Significant advances in float furnace design and operation, in the development of
glass compositions, and in the glass forming process itself have all played a role in the
optimization of glass manufacturing. For example, thermodynamic modeling assists with
the enhancement of glass composition and offers control over devitrification
characteristics, and studies examining burner design, to ensure flames have maximumluminosity and impinge on the glass at the correct angle, aid the minimization of fuel
consumption. The exploitation of such advanced research allows glass manufacturers to
reduce their expenditure on fuel, decrease their defect rates and produce glass of the
highest quality, all of which are important if they are to retain their commercial standing
and customer loyality.
a) Glass of a higher quality is produced when the float furnace is at its maximum
temperature. C
b) The radiance of furnace flames has no direct impact on the amount of fuel used in
the glass-forming process. C
c) Ensuring the flames come into contact with the glass at a particular point can
reduce the amount of energy required in the glass manufacturing process. T
d) Glass companies should not avail themselves of the latest research in
thermodynamics should they want to maintain their commercial reputation.
34. Scientists believe we are experiencing a dramatic change in the overall climate
system, verified by the 10-15 cm rise in sea levels over the last 100 years and the increases
in severe weather conditions. Although climate change occurs naturally, scientists believe
human activities have led to increased carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide
concentrations, leading to climate changes and, in turn, observed increases in sea levels,
atmospheric temperatures, and erratic weather systems. This means that today’s climate
shift differs dramatically from previous shifts in climates in both magnitude and rate.
Scientific research suggests that advancing sea levels, rising temperatures and severe
weather conditions caused by climate change will result in a host of negative consequences
such as a threat to international trade patterns, an increase in the movement of tropical
disease, and an increased risk of forest fires and landslides.
a) Only the difference in velocity distinguishes current climates shifts from previous
shifts. F
b) The enormity of alterations to our climate system has never been experienced by
human beings before. T
c) People will catch more tropical disease due to climate change.C
d) Reducing methane emissions will have a detrimental impact on global industry. C6
e) Human activities are not the only reason for climate change.T2
f) All scientists are believe the earth’s climate is changing.C6
35. The airline industry has always acknowledged first-aid training to be imperative
for their staff, but with the ever increasing numbers of people to whom air travel is
becoming accessible, airline staff will need to be even more alert and better equipped to
deal with any medical emergency that may arise. Flight attendants must be able to identify
the details and severity of the crisis, and administer first-aid calmly and effectively. To
ensure that these requirements are met, regular first-aid courses and emergency procedure
drills have become common practive in the majority of airline companies. This on-going
training has meant that airline staff can react with even greater lucidity, composure and
meticulousness than ever before.
a) In the past, to fly was not as viable a means of travel as it is today. T36. The prospect of accepting negative feedback about ourselves elicits conflict, as we
need to assess the immediate emotional costs of negative information about ourselves
against the long-term benefits of gaining useful feedback. Studies have confirmed what
most managers seem to have known already, that the mood we in whilst receiving
feedback often influences the relative weight people assign to emotional costs versus the
informational benefits of receiving negative feedback. The studies that have been carried
out have demonstrated that positive moods can function as a buffer and therefore enable
people affected in this way to both accept, as well as better handle, the emotional costs of
negative self-related information.
a) Managers are increasingly taking employees’ moods into consideration when
providing them with negative feedback regarding their performance.C
b) Accepting negative feedback involves a trade-off between short-term and long-term
costs and benefits. T
c) An individual’s mood will have no effect on how negative feedback is received. F
37. The location of a shop operated by a charity in an affluent neighborhood could be
deemed extremely advantageous because this increases the potential for a continuous
supply of highly valuable donations. However, this may be counterbalanced by an
exorbitant rent for the property. Of fundamental importance to the success of the shop is a
dedicated group of volunteers who should sort through donations promptly to ensure that
items are quickly made available for purchase, in order to promote financial prosperity.
Volunteers and staff must be vigilant of thieves, to which these shops are particularly
susceptible, usually due to a lack of security cameras or bar codes on the item.
a) The only factor affecting the financial success of a shop operated by a charity is its
location. F
b) Shops operated by charitable organizations are particularly vulnerable to shoplifter
if there are no security cameras or bar codes on items. T
c) It is less likely that shops operated by charities which are situated in affluent
neighborhoods will have volunteers who are more dedicated, than those in less wealthy
neighborhoods. C
38. The controversial new code on corporate governance has been reassessed and
significantly changed in advance of publication. Following intense pressure from company
directors many of the original proposals have been scrapped, and many others have been
watered down to reduce the pressure of compliance on organizations.
Overall, the revisions have resulted in the removal of rules that restrict company behaviors in
favor of the introduction of a recommendations-based approach, which does not set specific
standards of behavior. The changes have highlighted the divide between company directors, who
generally support the changes as vital to keep away from a culture of rule avoidance, and other
shareholder groups who believe that a best practice approach lacks teeth and will not result in
greater board accountability.
a) Following the revision, the code is now much more prescriptive in its approach tocorporate governance. F
b) Company directors and shareholders are in agreement that something has to be
done to improve processes of corporate governance. F
c) A culture of rule avoidance leads to less board accountability. C
39. Total stocks of most minerals in the earth’s crust are still large in relation to the
current rates of use, and a high proportion of the minerals that are consumed in the
production process could, in principle, be recycled. The technological and financial
constraints on recycling such concentrations of minerals are considerable, however, and
there is no guarantee that these constraints could be overcome. Substitution of abundant
for scarce resources would avoid the problem, but such substitution is not always
technologically feasible.
a) The technical constraints of recovering any mineral are considerable. F
b) Most of the minerals consumed in the production process can be economically
recycled. F
c) It is wrong to assume that the substitution of abundant for scarce resources will
create insurmountable technical problems on every occasion. T
40. The typical share-save scheme is a regular savings plan that gives employees the
opportunity to purchase shares in 3.5 or 7 years’ time, should they choose to exercise the
purchase option, at a discounted price fixed before the saving period starts. In addition to
potential financial gains, the employee also has the opportunity to participate in future
company development through the acquisition of shares. The employee does not have to
pay income tax on any gains made on the exercise of the option to buy shares, though
there may be a liability to capital gains tax if the shares are sold and the resulting gains
cause that particular employee’s level of capital gains liability to exceed the annual exempt
amount.
a) Employees usually exercise the option to sell their shares at the end of the saving
period. C
b) Employees do not automatically have to pay Capital Gains Tax as a consequence of
participating in share-save scheme. T
c) Individuals who sell shares generate no potential tax liability. F
41. The increasing fragility of the rural economy will be the biggest challenge facing
country communities over the next ten years. Agriculture, which accounts for a quarter of
rural job, is in decline. Tourism provides no more than half this number of job. The rural
manufacturing sector, however, has grown over last ten years. Despite this, it still employs
fewer than one in twenty people living in rural area, and is threatened by companies based
in industrial areas, which benefit from access to a larger skilled workforce and better
transportation networks.
a) Industries based in rural areas benefit from better transport links. F
b) Manufacturing provides the fewest jobs in the countryside. C7
c) The manufacturing sector is likely to be the main source of employment for rural
workers in the future. C6d) Industries based in rural areas suffer from poorer transport links. T
42. The cosmic microwave background (CMB) radiation is the afterglow from the Big
Bang, and weak as it may be today, these primeval microwaves hold valuable information
about fundamental properties of the early universe. Slight differences, or anisotropies, in
the brightness and polarization of the CMB reveal clues about the nature of the primeval
plasma: that the discrepancies exist at all shows that the plasma was not perfectly uniform.
The variations in the brightness seen in the CMB reflect differences in the density of the
primordial plasma, whereas the anisotropic polarization reveals information about the
dynamics of the early universe, such as the movement of material and the number of
gravitational waves. The CMB, however, is not the only source of polarized microwaves
and the cosmological polarization must thus be measured at different wavelengths so as to
isolate them from foreground signals.
a) The anisotropies of the CMB show solely that the primordial plasma was not
uniform. F
b) The polarization of cosmic microwaves is measured at different wavelength so as
to separate the foreground from the background signals. F
c) Through studying the cosmological microwaves, one may learn about the forces of
gravity in the early universe. T
43. The biggest risk facing the world’s insurance companies is possibly the rapid
change now taking place within their own ranks. Sluggish growth in core markets and
intense price competition, coupled with shifting patterns of customer demand and the
rising cost of losses, are threatening to overwhelm those too slow to react.
a) Insurance companies are experiencing a boom in their core markets. F
b) Insurance companies are competing to provide best prices to customers. T
c) Insurance companies are coping well with increased price competition and rising
losses. F
d) Insurance companies that are cautious in responding to change will prevail in the
long term. F
44. There is no doubt that vegetarian food can be healthier than a traditional diet –
indeed, research has demonstrated that vegetarians are less likely to suffer from heart
disease and obesity than those who eat meat. One long-standing concern about a
vegetarian lifestyle is the risk of failing to take in enough protein. However, historical
calculations as to the amount of protein needed for a healthy lifestyle have recently been
shown to overestimate the quantities needed, and if vegetarian select their food carefully
they should be able to meet their protein needs.
a) A balanced diet is more likely to promote health than any particular food or food
group in isolation. C
b) Too much protein in the diet can lead to heart disease. C
c) Over time the recommendations as to what constitutes a healthy balanced diet have
changed. T45. There is no task more difficult than that of ensuring the education of children in
modern society. Not only school, but also teachers and their roles have changed out of all
recognition in the past few decades, thanks to the impact on teaching institutions by
indoctrinating, and indoctrinated, reformist intellectuals bearing revolutionary ideas. To
the perpetual indiscipline of youth has now been added the indiscipline of parents, many of
whom interpret any reports of wrongdoing in school on the part of their offspring as a
personal affront, or as the manifestation of the malice of teachers. As for the teachers
themselves, whilst many are respectable and learned men and women, who view it as their
vocation to induct their charges into a civilization and a way of behaving, others attempt to
influence youth merely to further their political or ideological ends.
a) Some of those working in education have their own hidden agendas. T
b) Teacher with revolutionary ideas will attempt to influence their pupils for their own
political ends. F
c) Some teachers who report children of wrongdoing do so because of malice, rather
than nay legitimate reason. C
46. The Statute on workplace safety requires that an employer should ensure, so far as
is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all full and part time
employees, and also those not in direct employment who may be affected by acts or
omissions at work. However, it is also the duty of employees to take reasonable care for
their own health and safety and also that of other persons who may be affected by their
acts or omissions at work, for example by complying with all notices on health and safety
that are posted.
a) If a workplace visitor is hurt due to an act of negligence by an employee then the
employee may be held solely responsible. F
b) An employer has responsibility for the safety of visitors to his factory. A
c) Employees have negligible responsibility for workplace health and safety. F
47. Today’s historians aim to construct a record of human activities and to use this
record to achieve a more profound understanding of humanity. This conception of their
task is quite recent, dating from the development from 18th and early 19th centuries of
scientific history, and cultivated largely by professional historians who adopted the
assumption that the study of natural, inevitable human activity. Before the late 18th
century, history was taught in virtually no schools, and it did not attempt to provide an
interpretation of human life as a whole. This is more appropriately the function of religion,
of philosophy, or even perhaps of poetry.
a) That which constitutes the study of history has changed over time. T
b) Professional historians did not exist before 18th century. C
c) In the 17th century, history would not have been thought of as a way of
understanding humanity. T
48. There is often considerable scientific disagreement both about available reserves of
natural resources and about the extent of environmental damage caused by particularpollutants. Even where the scientific evidence is incontrovertible. There may be political
conflict, based on different vested interests, over the degree to which particular
environmental controls should be accepted. Governments may, for example, refrain from
introducing effective control if they fear these will adversely affect company profitability
or jobs, even where the environmental cost of not introducing controls are considerable.
a) There is always scientific debate around the facts regarding the reserves of natural
resources. F
b) Very rarely is there conflict over the degree to which particular environmental
controls should be accepted. F
c) Parties with a vested interest are more influenced by politics than science when
deciding whether to implement environmental controls. C
49. Without exception, living non-human primates habitually more around on all
fours, or quadrupedally, when they are on the ground. Scientists generally assume
therefore that the last common ancestor of humans and chimpanzees (our closest living
relative) was also a quadrupted. Exactly when the last common ancestor lived is unknown,
but clear indications of bipedalism, the trait that distinguishes ancient humans from other
apes, are evident in the oldest known species of Australopithecus, which lived in Africa
roughly four millions years ago.
a) Bipedal apes are more evolutionarily advantaged than quadrupedal ones. C
b) Bipedalism is the main trait that distinguishes ancient humans from
Australopithecus. F
c) Australopithecus is as closely related to ancient man as to the chimpanzee. C
50. Water, the most common liquid used for cleaning, has a property called surface
tension. Molecules in the body of the water are surrounded by other molecules, but at the
surface a “tension” is created as molecules are only surrounded by other molecules on the
waterside. This tension inhibits the cleaning process, as it slows the wetting of surface due
to tension causing the water to bead up. This is where water droplets hold their shape and
do not spread. For effective cleaning to take place “surface tension” must be reduced so
that water can spread. Surface-active agents, or surfactants, are chemicals, which are able
to do this effectively.
a) Surface-active agents, or surfactants, are only used for cleaning. C
b) Water is the only known liquid used for cleaning. F
c) If surfactant chemicals are added to water when cleaning a surface, surface tension
will occur. F
d) The molecules on the waterside hinder the cleaning process. F
e) Water dropletswill not spread where there are high levels of surfacetension.T
51. Whilst having similar effects on employees, there tend to be major difference
between a merger and an acquisition. In an acquisition, power is substantially assumed by
the new parent company. Change is often swift and brutal as the acquirer imposes its own
control systems and financial restraints. Parties to a merger are likely to be evenly matched
in terms of size, and the power and cultural dynamics of the combination are moreambiguous, integration is a more drawn out process.
During an acquisition, there is often more overt conflict and resistance and a sense of
powerlessness. In mergers, because of the prolonged period between the initial announcement and
full integration, uncertainty and anxiety continue for a much longer time as the organization
remains in a state of limbo.
a) There tends to be a major power difference between parties in an acquisition. T
b) Mergers and acquisition tend to have distinctly different impacts on employees. F
c) Mergers yield a shorter period of anxiety and uncertainty amongst employees. F
52. Whilst high visibility crime such as night-time drunken disturbance has increased,
total urban and rural crime, both reported and unreported, has fallen over the last two
years, yet paradoxically people feel less safe, believing that the converse is the case. This
fall in crime has coincided with a drop in the number of police officer on the street. A
citizen’s fear of crime seems not to be a matter of reality at all- the visibility of law
enforcement officials has a greater impact on their view of reality than hard facts.
a) Reducing the number of police officer has led to a reduction in crime. C
b) Crime statistics support popular belief about the level of crime. F
c) People feel safer when there are more police on the street. C
53. With the rapid technological advancement today, bridges are becoming
increasingly more sophisticated, and are spanning significantly greater distances.
Earthquakes, however, remain a potential threat to these immense structures as they may
do irreparable and costly damage to an important bridge. As a bridge’s major vulnerability
to earth movement lies in its supportive structure, a promising solution has been found to
be a self-anchored suspension bridge. This bridge design is one in which the pull of the
cables is opposed by the push of the deck, thus eliminating the supporting anchorages.
a) The elimination of the anchorages has been a proposed solution to the threat
of damage caused by seismic activity. T
b) A possible solution to the risk of earthquake damage is the self-anchored
suspension bridge as the forces of the cables and the anchorages oppose each other.
F
c) The greater the distance of a bridge’s span, the more vulnerable it is to
earthquakes C
