GMAT考试阅读资料(六)c

Passage 31
　　The number of women directors appointed to corpo-rate boards in the United States has increased dramati-cally， but the ratio of female to male directors remains¹ low. Although pressure to recruit women directors，（5） unlike that to employ women in the general work force，does not derive² from legislation， it is nevertheless real.
　　Although small companies were the first to have　women directors， large corporations currently have a　higher percentage of women on their boards. When the（10） chairs of these large corporations began recruiting women to serve on boards， they initially⁴ sought women　 who were chief executive officers （CEO‘s） of large corpo-　 rations³. However， such women CEO’s are still rare. In　 addition， the ideal of six CEO‘s （female or male ） serving（15）on the board of each of the largest corporations is realiz-able only if every CEO serves on six boards. This raises　　the specter of director overcommitment and the resultant dilution⁵ of contribution. Consequently， the chairs nextsought women in business who had the equivalent of（20）　CEO experience. However， since it is only recently thatlarge numbers of women have begun to rise in manage-ment， the chairs began to recruit women of high achieve-ment outside the business world. Many such women arewell known for their contributions in government，（25）　education， and the nonprofit sector⁶. The fact that thewomen from these sectors⁷ who were appointed wereoften acquaintances of the boards’ chairs seems quitereasonable： chairs have always considered it importantfor directors to interact comfortably in the boardroom.30）Although many successful women from outside thebusiness world are unknown to corporate⁸ leaders， thesewomen are particularly qualified⁹ to serve on boardsbecause of the changing nature of corporations. Today acompany‘s ability to be responsive to the concerns of the35）　community and the environment can influence thatcompany’s growth and survival. Women are uniquelypositioned to be responsive to some of these concerns.Although conditions have changed， it should be remem-bered that most directors of both sexes are over fifty（40） years old. Women of that generation were often encour-aged to direct their attention toward efforts to improvethe community. This fact is reflected in the career devel-opment of most of the outstandingly successful womenof the generation now in their fifties， who currently serve（45） on corporate boards： 25 percent are in education and　 22 percent are in government， law， and the nonprofit　sector.
　　One organization of women directors is helping¹⁰ busi-ness become more responsive to the changing needs of（50）　society by raising the level of corporate awareness¹¹ aboutsocial issues， such as problems with the economy，　government regulation， the aging population， and the　environment. This organization also serves as a resource　center of information on accomplished¹² women who are（55） potential candidates for corporate boards.

　　1. The author of the passage would be most likely to agree　with which of the following statements about　achievement of the “ideal” mentioned in line 14？
　　　（A） It has only recently become a possibility.
　　　（B） It would be easier to meet if more CEO‘s were women
　　　（C） It is very close to being a reality for most corporate boards.
　　　（D） It might affect the quality of directors‘ service to corporations.
　　　（E） It would be more realizable if CEO‘s had a more extensive range of business experience.

　　2. According to the passage， the pressure to appoint women to corporate boards differs from the pressure to　employ women in the work force in which of the　following ways？
　　　（A） Corporate boards are under less pressure because they have such a small number of openings.
　　　（B） Corporate boards have received less pressure from stockholders， consumers， and workers within companies to include women on their boards.
　　　（C） Corporate boards have received less pressure from the media and the public to include women on their boards.
　　　（D） Corporations have only recently been pressured toinclude women on their boards.
　　　（E） Corporations are not subject to statutory penalty forfailing to include women on their boards.

　　3. All of the following are examples of issues that the　organization described in the last paragraph would be　likely to advise corporations on EXCEPT
　　　（A） long-term inflation
　　　（B） health and safety regulations
　　　（C） retirement¹³ and pension programs
　　　（D） the energy shortage
　　　（E） how to develop new markets

　　4. It can be inferred from the passage that， when seeking to　appoint new members to a corporation‘s board， the chair　traditionally looked for candidates who
　　　（A） had legal and governmental experience
　　　（B） had experience dealing¹⁴ with community affairs
　　　（C） could work easily with other members of the board
　　　（D） were already involved in establishing policy for that corporation
　　　（E） had influential¹⁵ connections outside the business world

　　5. According to the passage， which of the following is true about women outside the business world who are　currently serving on corporate boards？
　　　（A） Most do not serve on more than one board.
　　　（B） A large percentage will eventually work on the staff of corporations.
　　　（C） Most were already known to the chairs of the board to which they were appointed.
　　　（D） A larger percentage are from government and law than are from the nonprofit sector.
　　　（E） Most are less than fifty years old.

　　6. The passage suggests that corporations of the past differ　from modern corporations in which of the following　ways？
　　　（A） Corporations had greater input¹⁶ on government policies affecting the business community.
　　　（B） Corporations were less responsive to the financial needs of their employees.
　　　（C） The ability of a corporation to keep up with changing markets was not a crucial factor in its success.
　　　（D） A corporation‘s effectiveness in coping with community needs was less likely to affect its growth and prosperity.
　　　（E） Corporations were subject to more stringent¹⁷ government regulations.

　　7. Which of the following best describes the organization　of the passage？
　　　（A） A problem is described， and then reasons why various proposed solutions succeeded or failed are discussed.
　　　（B） A problem is described， and then an advantage of resolving it is offered.
　　　（C） A problem is described， and then reasons for its continuing existence are summarized.
　　　（D） The historical origins of a problem are described， and then various measures that have successfully resolved it are discussed.
　　　（E） The causes of a problem are described， and then its effects are discussed.

　　8. It can be inferred from the passage that factors making　women uniquely valuable members of modern corporate　boards would include which of the following？
　　　Ⅰ. The nature of modern corporations
　　　Ⅱ. The increased number of women CEO‘s
　　　Ⅲ. The careers pursued by women currently available to serve on corporate boards
　　　（A） Ⅰonly
　　　（B） Ⅱonly
　　　（C） Ⅲ only
　　　（D） Ⅰand Ⅲ only
　　　（E） Ⅰ，Ⅱ， and Ⅲ