2022-2023年湖北省孝感市大学英语6级大学英语六级重点汇总（含答案）

2022-2023年湖北省孝感市大学英语6级大学英语六级重点汇总（含答案）学校:________班级:________姓名:________考号:________

一、2.ReadingComprehension(SkimmingandScanning)(20题)1.Workplace2020

—BySusanPaynter

It'sasummermorningintheyear2020andnotyet7:30a.m.JaneHanson,flushedfromherearlymorningrunalongtheriver,setsdowninherworkstationathome.Sheisstillinhersweats,andthisisthefirstdayallweekshehasslidherkneesunderadesk.

ForJaneandmillionsofotherso-calledknowledgeworkers,thejobiswhereversheis.Today,it'sathome.Agraphicsdesigner,Janehasacurrentassignmenttodevelopanewlogoforasportsshoeforaclient.She'sdelightedtohavetheproject,sinceitgivesherachancetoworkwithAki,herinternationalpartnerinYokohama(横滨),Japan.Today,Aki'sfacepopsuponhercomputerscreenasshechecks"see-mail,"atypeofcommunicationthatreplacedE-mailafewyearsago.Withaclick,Janecancallupthevideoimageandvoiceofeachpersonwholeftheramessagethepreviousnight.

Thismorning,JanecallsAkibackandtheyseeandheareachotherviavideophone.Theycollaborateonaninteractivescreenalmostasiftheyarestandingsidebysideatthesamedrawingboard.

Jane'shusband,George,canoftenbefoundworkingathomeaswell."Goingtotheoffice"hasbecomeanoption,notanecessity,withtheadventofthewirelesscomputer.Georgeteachesatanearbyuniversity,andoftenbroadcastshislecturesviasatellite.Butthismorningheisatanon-campusseminar.Thekidsarealsooutofthehousetodayattendingclassesatanearbylanguageandsciencelab.JaneisgratefultohavethehousetoherselftodayassheandAkiworkonthelogo.

TheVirtualOffice

Twentyyearsfromnow,asmanyas25millionAmericans—nearly20percentoftheworkforce—willstretchtheboundariesbetweenhomeandworkfarbeyondthelinesdrawnnow.Technologyhasalreadysoacceleratedthepaceofchangeintheworkplacethatfewfuturistsarewillingtopredicthardnumbers.Butnearlyalltrend-trackersagreethatmuchofthenextcentury'sworkwillbedecentralized,doneathomeorinsatelliteofficesonascheduletailoredtofitworker'slivesandtheneedsoftheirfamilies.Eveninternationalboundariesmayblurastheeconomygoestrulyglobal.

Between1990and1998,telecommutingdoubledfromabout3percentto6percentoftheworkingpopulation—orabout8.2millionpeople.Thenumbersareexpectedtodoubleagaininfarlesstime,withasmuchas12percentofthepopulationtelecommutingbytheyear2005,saysCharlieGrantham,directoroftheInstitutefortheStudyofDistributedWorkinWindsor,California.

Wirelesscomputersandseamlesscommunicationssystemsarealreadyintheworksandfuelingthetrend.Thevideophoneisnotfaroff,anadvancethatmanyfuturistsbelievewillmakeevenmorecompaniescomfortablewithemployeesworkingfromhome."Now,wecommunicateatthelevelofradio,"saysGeraldCelente,authorofTrends2000anddirectorofTheTrendsResearchInstituteofRhinebeck,NewYork.E-mailandthetelephoneareprimitive,heargues,andmakepeoplefeelcutofffromco-workers.Butonceeveryonecanseeeachotheronthescreen,long-distancerelationshipswillfeelmoreintimate.

Whatabouttheoffice?"Today'sofficesareadirectdescendantofthefactory,"saysGilGordon,aconsultantbasedinMonmouthJunction,NewJersey,whohasspentnearlytwodecadesadvisingcompaniesonhowtoinstitutetelecommutingandmoreflexibleworkpatterns."Theymaybebetterlighted,butthey'remuchthesame."

Still,Gordondoesnotthinktheofficebuildingwillvanishaltogether.Rather,theofficeof2020willbejustoneplace

A.YB.NC.NG

2.

Mostold-growthforeststhatareoutsideofprotectedparksand______havebeenharvested.

3.

Sugarlessfood,suchas______,playsaroleinthepreventionoftoothdecay.

4.Thoseconventionalbuildingsrequireimprovementbecausetheyrevealthatenergyis

5.

Ifamemberoftheeurorunsabudgedeficitof4.0percent,itwillbecharged______________________oftheirGDPbytheStabilityandGrowthPact.

6.

ArethaFranklinsounded"abitpitchy"attheInaugurationbecausehervoicewas______.

7.

ToprotectChineseretailersagainstthegrowingforeigncompetition,theChinesegovernmentstilltakesmeasurestolimitthenumbersofstoresopenedbyforeignretailersinlargecities.

A.YB.NC.NG

8.

Theinformationcostsconcern______.

9.

AccordingtoTonyWoods,theproblemofsuicideamongyoungAustralianmencanbealleviatedifboys______.

10.Oldpeopleshouldn'tbothertochangetheireatinghabitsbecauseit'stoolateforittodothemanygood.

11.

Newtonbelievedthattheforcethatpulledtheappledownwasnotthesamethatkeptthemooncirclingtheearth.

A.YB.NC.NG

12.

CryosatshouldhelpfigureoutwhatishappeningattheWestAntarcticfringebecauseitsradaraltimetersshouldbeableto______.

13.

Tomakesurethatwelivenowon80%ofourincomeandinvesttheother20%,theauthorsuggestsapplyingtothebankfor______.

14.

AccordingtoBoese,manypeoplebelievedthereportofSwissspaghettiharvestbecausetheBritishdidnotknow______

15.

Itisdifficulttopredictthestrongregionalvariationsinthepatternsof______.

16.

______firstmadeMarkTwainknownalloverthecountry.

17.

IfyouarriveearlyinanAmericanparty,howwillotherpeoplethinkofyou?

A.Youarepunctualandpolite.

B.Youareabusyandimportantpersonwithlotstodo.

C.Youhavenolifeofyourown.

D.Youareleadinganexcitingandproductivelife.

18.PartⅡReadingComprehension(SkimmingandScanning)

Directions:Inthispart,youwillhave15minutestogooverthepassagequicklyandanswerthequestionsonAnswerSheet1.

Forquestions1-7,mark

Y(forYES)ifthestatementagreeswithinformationgiveninthepassage;

N(forNO)ifthestatementcontradictstheinformationgiveninthepassage;

NG(forNOTGIVES)iftheinformationisnotgiveninthepassage.

Forquestions8-10,completethesentenceswiththeinformationgiveninthepassage.

TheNewScienceofSiblings

Foralongtime,researchershavetriedtonaildownjustwhatshapesus—orwhat,atleast,shapesusmost.Andovertheyears,they'vehadalotofeurekamoments(突发灵感的时刻).Firstitwasourparents,particularlyourmothers.Thenitwasourgenes.Nextitwasourpeers,whoshowuplastbutholdgreatsway.Andallthoseideasweregoodones—butonlyasfarastheywent.Somewhere,therewasasortoftemperamental(捉摸不定的)darkmatterexertinganinvisiblegravitationalpullofitsown.Moreandmore,scientistsareconcludingthatthisunexplainedforceisoursiblings.

Fromthetimetheyareborn,ourbrothersandsistersareourscolds,protectors,tormentors,playmates,counselors,sourcesofenvy,objectsofpride.Ourspousesarrivecomparativelylateinourlives;ourparentseventuallyleaveus.Oursiblingsmaybetheonlypeoplewe'lleverknowwhotrulyqualifyaspartnersforlife.Siblingsarewithusforthewholejourney.

AtresearchcentersintheU.S.,Canada,Europeandelsewhere,scientistsaregainingintriguinginsightsintothepeoplewebecomeasadults.DoesthestudentstrugglingwithaprofessorwhoplaysfavoritessummonupthecopingskillsacquiredfromdealingwithasisterwhowasDaddy'sgirl?Dohusbandsandwivesbenefitfromtheinter-gendernegotiationstheywagedwhentheirmostimportantpartnersweretheirsistersandbrothers?Todayseriousworkisrevealingexactlyhowourbrothersandsistersinfluenceus.

Whychildhoodfightsbetweensiblingscanbegood

Bythetimechildrenare11,theydevoteabout33%oftheirfreetimetotheirsiblings—moretimethantheyspendwithfriends,parents,teachersorevenbythemselves.Adolescents,whohaveusuallybegungoingtheirownway,devoteatleast10hoursaweektoactivitieswiththeirsiblings.SiblingsarelikethenursesonthewarD.Allthatproximitybreedsanawfullotofintimacy—andanawfullotoffriction.

LaurieKramer,professorofappliedfamilystudiesattheUniversityofIllinoishasfoundthat,onaverage,sibsbetween3and7yearsoldengageinsomekindofconflict3.5timesanhour.Kidsinthe2-to-4agegrouptopoutat6.3—ormorethanoneclashevery10minutes,accordingtoaCanadianstudy.

Butasmuchasallthefightingcansetparents'haironend,there'salotoflearninggoingontoo,specificallyabouthowconflicts,oncebegun,canbesettleD.Shawandhiscolleaguesconductedayears-longstudyandfoundthatthekidswhopracticedthebestconflict-resolutionskillsathomecarriedthoseabilitiesintotheclassroom."Siblingshaveasocializingeffectononeanother,"Shawsays."Unlikearelationshipwithfriends,you'restuckwithyoursibs.Youlearntonegotiatethingsdaytoday."

It'sthatpermanence,researchersbelieve,thatmakessiblingsarehearsaltoolforlaterlife.Somewhereinthereistheearlytrainingforthee-mailjokethatbreaksanofficesilenceorthehusbandwhosignalsthatafightisoverbyaskinghiswifewhatshethinkstheyshoulddoaboutthatfast-approachingvacationanyway."Siblingrelationshipsarewhereyoulearnallthis,"saysdevelopmentalpsychologistS

A.YB.NC.NG

19.

Thetraditionalideathatcompetitivesportsbuildcharacterhasapparently______intoday'sU.S.

20.Accordingtothepassage,onehealthbenefitsofwalkingisthat______.

A.yourbonedensitywillbedecreased

B.youwillloseweightinaneasyandquickway

C.youwillenjoybetterheartcondition

D.youwillhavestrongerupperbodymuscles

二、3.ListeningComprehension(20题)21.(22)

A.Itisn'treliable.

B.Itneedschecking.

C.Itisdefinitelytrustworthy.

D.Itwon'thurttotry.

22.(34)

A.Theotherguestshadtheirbeddingreplaced,too.

B.Someguestsdecidedtoleavethehotel.

C.Someguestsrequiredforacleanerroom.

D.Theotherguestscancelledroomservice.

23.【B5】

24.听力原文：TheUnitedKingdomwillseekaclosertiewithChinainitsbidtomakethecountryoneoftheleadingbusinesspartnerintheworldofeconomicglobalization,aseniortradeofficialhassaid."China,withitsmassiveinfluenceinglobaltrade,isofgreatimportancetoU.K.'stradeandindustry,whichistryingtoattractanewwaveofhigh-valueinvestment,"AlistairDarling,Britain'sSecretaryofStateforTradeandIndustry,saidintheweekendbeforehisvisittoChina.Darling,whowillvisitBeijing,ShanghaiandHongKong,isonhisfirstevertriptoChina'smainland.Darling,whowillleada15-strongdelegation,saidthatSino-Britishtradetieswillbestrengthenedthroughmutualinvestment,notonlytrade.

TheU.K.,whosemanufacturingindustryhasshrunkmuchduringitseconomicstructurereadjustmentinthepastdecades,findsthatithasopportunitiesinhelpingChinainfieldslikeenvironmentprotectionandpowerplantbuilding.TheBritishTradeandIndustryleadersaidthatglobalizationprovidesatremendousopportunityforboththeU.K.andChinainwhichbothcountriescouldcooperatetocurbclimatechangeandimprovebilateraltrade.DarlingwasappointedSecretaryofStateforTradeandIndustry,replacingAlanJohnsoninthegovernmentreshuffleinMay.

(30)

A.Britain'sSecretaryofStateforForeignTrade.

B.Britain'sSecretaryofStateforTradeandIndustry.

C.Britain'sSecretaryofStateforInvestment.

D.Britain'sSecretaryofStateforCommerce.

25.(15)

A.Inabookstore.

B.Inalibrary.

C.Inaclassroom.

D.Inahotel.

26.听力原文：IfyouliveinacityinNorthAmericaorEurope,youhaveprobablyneverthoughtmuchaboutwater.Wheneveryouneedsome,youturnonthetapandthereitis.Millionsofpeopleinotherpartsoftheworldarenotsolucky.(29)Theyhavetroublegettingenoughcleanwatertottheirbasicneeds.Thissituationmay.soonbecomecommonallaroundtheworld,scientistsbelieve.Infact,theysaythatthelackofcleanwatermaybeoneofthebiggestissuesinthetwenty-firstcentury.

Thereasonsforthisareclear.(30)Ontheonehand,peopleareusingmorewaterthaneverbefore.Overthelastfiftyyears,thepopulationoftheworldhasmorethandoubled.Sohasthedemandforwater,forhomeuse,forfarming,andforindustry.(30)Ontheotherhand,suppliesofcleanwateraredisappearing.Manysourcesofsurfacewatersuchasrivers,lakes,andstreams—aretoopollutedandunhealthyforuseasdrinkingwater.Thishasforcedmoreandmorepeopletodrillwellssotheycangetwaterfromunderground.

Thereareenormousamountsofwaterdeepundergroundinlakescalledaquifers.Untilrecently,scientistsbelievedthisgroundwaterwassafefrompollution.Then,in1980s,peopleintheUnitedStatesbegantofindchemicalsintheirwellwater,andscientiststookacloserlookatwhatwashappening.WeldonSpring,Missouri,forexample,wasthesiteofabombfactoryduringWorldWarⅡ.Thefactorywasdestroyedafterthewar,butpoisonouschemicalsremainedontheground.Veryslowly,(31)theseschemicalsdrippeddownthroughthegroundandintotheaquifer.Oncetheydid,however,thewaterfromthataquiferwasnolongerdrinkable.

(30)

A.Pollutionproblems.

B.Watersuppliesaroundtheworld.

C.AnindustrialsiteinMissouri.

D.Groundwaterpollution.

27.

【B6】

28.SectionB

Directions:Inthissection,youwillhear3shortpassages.Attheendofeachpassage,youwillhearsomequestions.Boththepassageandthequestionswillbespokenonlyonce.Afteryouhearaquestion,youmustchoosethebestanswerfromthefourchoicesmarkedA,B,CandD.

听力原文：Currentstudiesshowthatwhatgoesonlabelsisanimportantconsiderationformanufacturers,sincemorethanseventypercentofshoppersreadfoodlabelswhenconsideringwhethertobuyaproduct.

Arecentcontroversyastowhetherlabelsonpreparedfoodsshouldeducateormerelyinform.theconsumerisover,andaconsumergroupgotitsway.Thegroupshadmaintainedthatproductlabelsshoulddomorethansimplylisthowmanygramsofnutrientsafoodcontains.Theircontentionwasthatlabelsshouldalsolistthepercentageofaday'stotalnutrientsthattheproductwillsupplytotheconsumer,becausethisinformationisessentialinplanningahealthydiet.

Agovernmentagencydisagreedstrongly,favoringalabelthatmerelyinformstheconsumer,inotherwords,alabelthatonlyliststhecontentsoftheproduct.Theagencymaintainedthatconsumerscoulddecideforthemselvesifthefoodisnutritiousandismeetingtheirdailyneeds.

Theconsumergroup,insupportingitscase,hadcitedasurveyinwhichshopperswereshownafoodlabel,andwerethenaskediftheywouldneedmoreorlessofacertainnutrientaftereatingaservingofthisproduct.Theshoppersweren'tabletoanswerthequestioneasilywhentheywerenotgivenaspecificpercentage.

Thisstudyandothershelpedgetthenewregulationpassed,andnowfoodpr6ductsmusthavethemoredetailedlabels.

(27)

A.Whetheritisnecessarytoputlabelsonpreparedfoods.

B.Whatthedailyrequirementsforcertainnutrientsshouldbe.

C.Howtogetconsumerstoreadlabelsmorecarefully.

D.Whatinformationfoodmanufacturesshouldprovidetoconsumers.

29.(36)

A.Baby-theParrotDetective.

B.AnAmazonParrot.

C.RisingCrimeRatesinAmericanSociety.

D.HowtoProtectYourHouse

30.听力原文：M:Myteethhavebeenachingforaweek.CanIcometoseeyoutomorrow?

W:Sorry,Mr.Smith.Ican'ttakeyoutomorrow.I'vegotanotherappointmentalready.Howaboutnextweek?

Q:TowhomisMr.Smithprobablytalking?

(13)

A.Toadruggist.

B.Toadoctor.

C.Toadentist.

D.Tohiswife.

31.(19)

A.Shewillgoshoppingsoonwiththeman.

B.Shedoesn'tlikeshoppingonarainyday.

C.Shelikesspendingmoneyandsaveslittle.

D.Shejustgotsomemoneyfromherfatherasagift.

32.

【B10】

33.(43)

34.(17)

A.LendMarshasomereferencematerials.

B.AskMarshawherethebookshelfis.

C.CheckthroughthebooksonMarsha'sshelf.

D.AskMarshaifshehasanextrabookshelf.

35.

【B3】

36.听力原文：M:Excuseme.

W:Yes,canIhelpyou?

M:Yes,uh...IwanttotakeanEnglishcourseinSeptemberandIneedsomeinformation.

W:Sure.CoursesstartonSeptember6thandfinishrightbeforeChristmasonDecember22nd.Um...theadvancedclassesmeeteveryMonday,WednesdayandFriday,from6to8intheevening,registrationisoneweekbeforeclassesbegin,sothat'sAugust30th.

M:SotherearenoclassesonTuesdayandThursday?

W:No,notforadvancedstudents.OnlyMonday,WednesdayandFriday.

M:AndhowmuchisthetuitionforonecoursefromSeptember6thtoDecember22nd?

W:It's350dollars.AndifyouwanttocontinueinJanuary,thatwillbeanother350.

M:350dollars.Hmm.Couldyoutellmewhat'sintheadvancedcourses?W:Letmesee.There'sadvancedgrammar,Americanliteratureandconversation.

M:Isthereanyworkonpronunciation?

W:No,notatthislevel.

M:Howaboutwriting?Isthereanythingoncomposition?

W:Yes,theydosomewriting,butmostoftheworkisongrammar,literatureandconversation.

M:Isee.Andjustafewmorequestions.Doyouhavealanguagelabwhere!canworkonmypronunciation?Andwhataboutvideosandcomputers?

W:Well,wedon'thavealanguagelab.Thebuildingistoosmall.Butwedohavevideoandwealsohavetaperecordersineveryroom.

M:Andcomputers?

W:No,noneatpresent.

M:Isee.Well,thankyouverymuch.You'reveryhelpful.

W:You'rewelcome.Good-bye.

M:Good-bye.

(23)

A.OnAugust30th.

B.OnSeptember1st.

C.OnSeptember6th.

D.OnDecember22nd.

37.听力原文：M:Thesubway,isrunningbehindscheduleandIdon'tknowifwecangettotheshowontime.

W:It'sabeautifulnight.Let'sgothereonfoot,shallwe?

Q:Whatdoesthewomansuggesttheydo?

(16)

A.Takeataxi.

B.Seetheshowsomeothernight.

C.Getthereonhorse.

D.Walktothetheatre.

38.听力原文：W:Thedresscost$108.ButIonlyhave$70.

M:Ihave$60.Wouldyouliketoborrowit?

Q:Howmuchmoneywillbeleftiftheybuythatdress?

(19)

A.$108.B.$40.C.$22,D.$70.

39.听力原文：M:Doyoureallyhavetogodowntotherivertowashyourclothes?

W:Yes,butallthingsconsidered,lifeinthecountryisstillalotlesscomplicatedthanlifeinthecity.

Q:Howdoesthewomanfeelaboutlifeinthecountry?

(19)

A.It'sdull.

B.It'ssimple.

C.It'stiring.

D.It'scomplicated.

40.(35)

A.Theywonthetournamentlastyear.

B.Theyhavebeentrainedthehardestinthetournament.

C.Theyhavethemostmoneytospendontheirathletes.

D.Theyhaveneverlostagamebefore.

三、4.ReadingComprehension(ReadinginDepth)(20题)41.SectionA

Directions:Inthissection,thereisapassagewithtenblanks.Youarerequiredtoselectonewordforeachblankfromalistofchoicesgiveninawordbankfollowingthepassage.Readthepassagethroughcarefullybeforemakingyourchoices.Eachchoiceinthebankisidentifiedbyaletter.Pleasemarkthecorrespondingletterforeachitemwithasinglelinethroughthecenter.Youmaynotuseanyofthewordsinthebankmorethanonce.

Eachculturehasitsownform.ofacceptablegreetingbehavior,usuallybasedonthelevelofformalityfoundwithinthesociety.Therulesofsocialdistanceetiquette(礼节)varybyculture.Africans,forexample,arefarless【C1】______intheirgreetingsthanEuropeans.Expectawarmphysicalgreeting,anextendedhandshakeorahandontheshoulderinmostAfricancultures.Alsoexpecttobeaskedhowyourtripwasandhowyourfamilyisdoing.Thetraditionoflonggreetingsstems【C2】______thetimewhenAfricansoncewalkedmilestovisitneighboringvillagesonsocialcalls.Thearrivalandagushing(说话滔滔不绝的)greetingwasconsideredthe【C3】______avillagercoulddoforatraveler.Don'tbeimpatientwithsuchalongdrawn-out(冗长乏味的)【C4】______anddon'thurrythingsalong.Rather,getintothespiritandappreciatethatthepersonyoucametoseeispreparedtotakethetimetosincerely【C5】______aboutyourwelfare.

InArgentina,greetingsareusuallyeffusive(过分热情的)withplentyofhuggingand【C6】______,notunliketheFrenchfairelabise(kissonbothcheeks).Thisiseventhecaseinbusinessmeetings,unlesstheyareofahighlyformalnature.InArgentina,menkisswomen,womenkissw.omen,【C7】______mendonotkissmen.BycontrasttheChinesewayofgreetingshuns(回避)thephysical.Itis【C8】______anodoraslightbow.However,whendealingwithindividualsfromcultureswheremoredirectphysicalcontactisthenorm,e.g.,ahandshake,theChinesewill【C9】______andshakehands.Don'tinterpretasofthandshakeorlackofeyecontactasasignofweaknessorlackofaggression.ItsimplymeansthatyourChinesecolleagueisnotoverly【C10】______tophysicalcontactwhengreetingastranger.

A)fromI)investigate

B)structuredJ)touching

C)butK)used

D)generallyL)least

E)expeditionM)exchange

F)inquireN)chance

G)adaptO)involved

H)kissing

【C1】

42.Accordingtothepassage,colorblindnesscanbedangerousincertainoccupationslike______.

43.

WhydoestheauthorassertthatallthingsAmericanarefascinatingtoforeigners?

A.BecausetheyhavegainedmuchpublicitythroughtheAmericanmedia.

B.Becausetheyrepresenttheworldslatestfashions.

C.Becausetheyembodythemostsophisticatedtechnology.

D.Becausetheyareavailableatalltouristdestinations.

44.

Whichofthefollowingstatementsbestdescribesalaser?

A.Adeviceforstimulatingatomsandmoleculestoemitlight.

B.Anatominahigh-energystate.

C.Atechniquefordestroyingatomsormolecules.

D.Aninstrumentformeasuringlightwaves.

45.SectionA

Directions:Inthissection,thereisashortpassagewith5questionsorincompletestatements.Readthepassagecarefully.Thenanswerthequestionsorcompletethestatementsinthefewestpossiblewords.

Japanesefirmshaveachievedthehighestlevelsofmanufacturingefficiencyintheworldautomobileindustry.SomeobserversofJapanhaveassumedthatJapanesefirmsusethesamemanufacturingequipmentandtechniquesasUnitedStatesfirmsbuthavebenefitedfromtheuniquecharacteristicsofJapaneseemployeesandtheJapaneseculture.However,ifthisweretrue,thenonewouldexpectJapaneseautoplantsintheUnitedStatestoperform.nobetterthanfactoriesrunbyUnitedStatescompanies.Thisisnotthecase.Japanese-runautomobileplantslocatedintheUnitedStatesandstaffedbylocalworkershavedemonstratedhigherlevelsofproductivitywhencomparedwithfactoriesownedbyUnitedStatescompanies.

OtherobserverslinkhighJapaneseproductivitytohigherlevelsofcapitalinvestmentperworker.Butahistoricalperspectiveleadstoadifferentconclusion.WhenthetwotopJapaneseautomobilemakersmatchedandthendoubledUnitedStatesproductivitylevelsinthemid-sixties,capitalinvestmentperemployeewascomparabletothatofUnitedStatesfirms.Furthermore,bythelateseventies,theamountoffixedassetsrequiredtoproduceonevehiclewasroughlyequivalentinJapanandintheUnitedStates.SincecapitalinvestmentwasnothigherinJapan,ithadtobeotherfactorsthatledtohigherproductivity.

AmorefruitfulexplanationmayliewithJapaneseproductiontechniques.Japaneseautomobileproducersdidnotsimplyimplementconventionalprocessesmoreeffectively;theymadecriticalchangeinUnitedStatesprocedures.Forinstance,themass-productionphilosophyofUnitedStatesautomakersencouragedtheproductionofhugelotsofcarsinordertoutilizefullyexpensive,component-specificequipmentandtooccupyfullyworkerswhohavebeentrainedtoexecuteoneoperationefficiently.Japaneseautomakerschosetomakesmall-lotproductionfeasiblebyintroducingseveraldeparturesfromUnitedStatespractices,includingtheuseofflexibleequipmentthatcouldbealteredeasilytodoseveraldifferentproductiontasksandthetrainingofworkersinmultiplejobs.Automakerscouldscheduletheproductionofdifferentcomponentsormodelsonsinglemachines,therebyeliminatingtheneedtostorethesparestocksofextracomponentsthatresultwhenspecializedequipmentandworkersarekeptconstantlyactive.

Accordingtosomeobservers,theuniquecharacteristicsofJapaneseemployeesandtheJapanesecultureenhanced______oftheJapanesefirms.

46.

Foronereasonoranother,people'sexposuretothemediaisoften______.

47.NewYorkwelcomesall,asthebiggreenladyintheharborsays,nomatterhowpoor,howtired,howhungryorhowwretched.ButLadyLibertynevermentionedanythingaboutugly,orfreaky(畸形的),ordownrightdevilish,andevenshemighthaveahardtimegettingatallgushyaboutsomeofthemostrecentimmigrantstothecity.

Theyaresnakeheadfish,thenightmarish(噩梦似的)creaturesfromAsiathatmadenewswhentheywerediscoveredlivinginaMarylandpondin2002.Theyweresaidtobeabletobreatheairandwalkontheirfins,devouring(吞食)everythingintheirpath.

SecretaryoftheInteriorGaleA.Nortoncalledthem"somethingfromabadhorrormovie"beforeorderingafederalban.Andtoguaranteethattheycouldnotescape,thewholeMarylandpondwaspoisoned.

Lastmonth,biologistswithNewYorkState'sDepartmentofEnvironmentalConservationweredoingaroutinesamplingofthefishinthebrackishwateratMeadowLakeinFlushingMeadowsCoronaParkinQueenswhen,totheirhorror,theyfoundanorthernsnakeheadfish,thenanotherandanotheruntiltheyhadfive,includingonemonster28incheslong."Atthatpoint,"saidJamesJ.GilmoreJr.,abiologistwhoisregionalsupervisorofnaturalresourcesatthestateagency'sNewYorkCityoffice,"weknewwehadaproblem."

Toconfirmthatthefishweresnakeheads,Mr.GilmoresentphotographstotheUnitedStatesGeologicalSurveyofficeinGainesville,Fla.,whichismissioncontrolforthenationalcrusadetoeradicatesnakeheads."AssoonasIsawthepictures,Isaid,'Ohno,notagain,'"saidWalterR.CourtenayJr.,afisheriesbiologistwiththeGeologicalSurveywhohastrackeddownsnakeheadsinMassachusetts,PennsylvaniaandVirginia.HismessagetoNewYork:Getridofthem.

Thesnakehead,anativeofAsia,isacompactstalkingmachinepackedwithrowsofsharpteeth,atorpedo-likebodysuitedtodartingoutofhidingholestochase,andcatch,otherfishandavoraciousappetitethatcanleadthemtodevoureveryotherfishinthelakeorpondwheretheylive."Theyareto