BEC閱讀精選及解析整合

為了讓大家更好的準(zhǔn)備商務(wù)英語BEC考試，小編給大家整理一下BEC閱讀精選及解析,下面小編就和大家分享，來欣賞一下吧。

BEC閱讀精選及解析1

1 A cautious approach can be used when calculating what a company is worth.

2 Consider personnel issues so that you have sufficient resources to fulfill your objectives.

3 In order to know if you can make a return on your investment, assess how you can add to the company you are buying.

4 Providing sufficient support for staff during the acquisition process can have a favourable outcome.

5 Take into account your long-term requirements to ensure you have the resources you need.

6 Even after investing some effort in the acquisition, it may still be necessary to withdraw.

7 Terms initially negotiated can be changed after the acquisition.

Mergers and Acquisitions

As Finance Director of plastics manufacturer VKT, Yvonne Maynart has overseen many successful takeovers

A

It is essential to build up a team to handle the acquisition so that your existing business can continue uninterrupted during the deal. It also helps to operate with spare capacity so that you can transfer people during the initial stages. A key person should be driving the acquisition process forward, although one person alone cannot assume responsibility for a large deal. It is clearly vital to do thorough research when identifying potential targets - but do not be afraid to walk away from a deal if you become aware of serious difficulties with a company you are targeting.

B

To decide on the value of any target business, you must first determine what contribution your acquisition can make to it. For example, you may be able to increase revenue through a more focused management team, or improve margins through greater purchasing power and lower costs. At VKT, we base our valuations on conservative assumptions - we also add in the risk element. This approach may be best, and it's worth remembering that with listed companies, shareholders tend to have higher risk/reward expectations.

C

Developing relationships with finance providers is a key part of the finance director's role. It is important to draw up a good business plan to ensure backing from lenders in the early stages of the acquisition. Your loan application needs to be supported by detailed profit and cashflow projections. Make sure you factor in sufficient finance to let the business develop over time, and allow for reinvestment. Here at VKT, we usually finance acquisitions with bank debt in the form of a 364-day loan, which can then be refinanced at a lower interest rate later.

D

If an acquisition is large, it can take years for companies to integrate. At VICT, we monitor all acquisitions closely for at least two years, and the most important lesson I've learned is that a deal is only good if it is beneficial for both vendor and acquirer. Change causes confusion, so it needs to be handled carefully. In order to protect profits and grow the business, you need to minimise the impact of change and help the people affected feel comfortable about it. When this is done properly, it can really boost morale.

這篇文章是關(guān)于收購的一些建議。一位專家針對收購可能出現(xiàn)的情況給出了自己的看法。A段是說要專門建立一個(gè)團(tuán)隊(duì)來處理收購事宜，要有一個(gè)關(guān)鍵的人來推動(dòng)收購的進(jìn)行。同時(shí)還要對潛在的目標(biāo)進(jìn)行深入研究，如果發(fā)現(xiàn)了問題便及時(shí)抽身。B段是講要想評估目標(biāo)收購企業(yè)的價(jià)值，首先得決定你的收購能為它做出什么樣的貢獻(xiàn)?？梢酝ㄟ^一個(gè)更加專注的管理團(tuán)隊(duì)來提高收益，也可以通過提高購買力和降低成本來改進(jìn)利潤。C段講的是要和資金提供方建立良好的關(guān)系，并談到了資金借貸方面的一些情況。D段是講收購進(jìn)行后的一些影響。對于出現(xiàn)的相關(guān)變化，要妥善處理。處理的好的話會(huì)提高士氣。

第一題，當(dāng)計(jì)算一個(gè)公司的價(jià)值時(shí)可以采用謹(jǐn)慎的方法。B段是和評估企業(yè)價(jià)值相關(guān)的內(nèi)容，所以答案在B段中找。是原文的這么一句：we base our valuations on conservative assumptions。我們的價(jià)值評估是建立在保守的假設(shè)基礎(chǔ)之上的。這里的conservative對應(yīng)于cautious，base our valuations也就是計(jì)算公司的價(jià)值。

第二題，考慮人員問題(personnel issues)使得你有足夠的資源來達(dá)成目標(biāo)。A段是講收購中的人員問題的，但答案不是那么明顯。主要是要理解A段開頭的兩句話：It is essential to build up a team to handle the acquisition so that your existing business can continue uninterrupted during the deal. It also helps to operate with spare capacity so that you can transfer people during the initial stages。有必要建立一個(gè)團(tuán)隊(duì)來處理收購使得在交易期間現(xiàn)行的商業(yè)可以不間斷的繼續(xù)。它也幫助處理閑置生產(chǎn)能力于是你可以在初始階段轉(zhuǎn)移人員。說到底，這句話的意思就是要合理的安排人員，從而充分利用資源來實(shí)現(xiàn)目標(biāo)。這題需要深入理解。

第三題，要想知道你能從投資上獲得多少回報(bào)，評估你能給購買的公司增加什么。這一題答案很明顯，B段的第一句話：To decide on the value of any target business, you must first determine what contribution your acquisition can make to it.同樣的意思。

第四題，在收購過程中對員工提供足夠的支持可以產(chǎn)生良好的結(jié)果。這題答案也稍顯隱晦，答案是D段的后面幾句：help the people affected feel comfortable about it. When this is done properly, it can really boost morale.幫助受影響的人感覺到舒服一些。當(dāng)這些被妥善處理了，可以真正提升士氣。

第五題，將長期的需要考慮在內(nèi)以確保你得到所需要的資源。答案是C段的這么一句：Make sure you factor in sufficient finance to let the business develop over time, and allow for reinvestment.確保你將企業(yè)長時(shí)間發(fā)展所需要的充足的資金也納入在內(nèi)，并且允許再投資。這里的take into account對應(yīng)于factor in，develop over time對應(yīng)于long-time requirement。

第六題，即便是在對收購?fù)度肓舜罅康呐χ螅踩匀豢赡苡斜匾顺?。答案是A段的最后一句：do not be afraid to walk away from a deal if you become aware of serious difficulties with a company you are targeting。如果你清楚了目標(biāo)公司的嚴(yán)重困難，不要害怕從這樁交易上走開。這里的walk away from對應(yīng)于withdraw。

第七題，原本協(xié)商好的條款在收購后可以改變。答案也有些隱晦，是C段的最后一句：we usually finance acquisitions with bank debt in the form of a 364-day loan, which can then be refinanced at a lower interest rate later.我們通常使用364天銀行貸款利率來提供貸款，日后的再貸款可以用一個(gè)更低的利率。意思是一樣的，但是需要適當(dāng)理解才能做答。

疑似生詞：

Spare capacity：When a business is operating at less than 100% capacity, it is said to have “spare capacity”。閑置生產(chǎn)能力。

Listed companies：a listed company is one whose shares may be bought and sold on a stock exchange.

上市公司。

e.g: Our shares are now listed and traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

Factor in:將….納入、列入重要因素。

Withdraw(這詞用法多，讓人混淆，把常用的列出來)：

1、to take money out of a bank account, etc

e.g: You can use the card to withdraw money from cashpoints all over the world.

2、to stop giving or offering sth to sb

e.g: The drug was withdrawn from sale after a number of people suffered serious side effects.

3、to stop taking part in an activity or being a member of an organization

e.g: There have been calls for Britain to withdraw from the EU.

4、to say that you no longer believe that sth you previously said is true

e.g: The newspaper withdrew the allegations the next day.

BEC閱讀精選及解析2

When two brands are better than one

Elena Alvarez takes a look at the effectiveness of marketing partnerships

In the corporate world, rivalry is more common than co-operation. But increasingly; companies have been setting aside their differences; the new idea is that two brand names are better than one. Sharing databases, strategies and communication systems can be the most effective means of attracting customers. (G )This partnership will give it access to the utility company's database of thousands of corporate clients, who will be offered special deals on all its products.

The philosophy behind such joint ventures is simple. In economically challenging times, marketing partnerships provide a cost-effective method of increasing brand awareness and sales. As one expert in the field puts it, 'Clever marketing partnerships allow brands to target the right people, cutting down the above-the-line spend.' (8) .....E....... It is better to simplify the

process and give them one focal point.

Recent research has indicated that marketing partnerships can be up to 27 per cent more productive than single company campaigns.(9) .......B..... In particular, it is ideal for bringing instant branding to companies that lack immediate consumer appeal.

One well-established UK phone manufacturer, ITB, was quick to realise this, and formed an alliance with 7a/fc a leading women's magazine. The phone company has benefited from the strong branding of the magazine, which has its customer base among professional women in their early 20s. (10) ....D........ This combined approach also offered ITB a quick route into image enhancement, and this is true of many other marketing partnership deals. To give another illustration, it is no coincidence that some well-known cartoon characters are currently enhancing the image of Nasco household cleaning products.(11).....F.......And, of course, this strategy should also guarantee that consumers' children insist on these products rather than rival brands.

However, while association with a powerful brand can give a significant boost to sales, being connected to a devalued brand can have a negative result. The problems of one brand inevitably impact on the other in a partnership.(12).....A.......A company may take years to recover from this sort of bad publicity. Indeed, there are numerous examples of disastrous marketing alliances. In such cases, not enough thought has been given to the partnership and the reasons behind it, and it has brought little value to either the customer or the companies involved.

A In such circumstances, the effects are frequently major and can be long-lasting.

B Some experts therefore predict that this style of marketing will take up an increasingly large proportion of many companies' total marketing budgets.

C Successful marketing partnerships can consequently bring a financial advantage even to small and struggling companies such as these.

D In return, its partner enjoys a broader distribution platform from which to promote its brand.

E With only a finite number of consumers in any target market, there is no need to overwhelm prospects with competing messages from different organisations.

F These are fairly standard items, but clearly the company hopes to transform them by broadening the associations consumers have with the brand.

G For example, Profit Plus, a large UK financial services company, has recently joined forces with a leading supplier of electricity.

BEC閱讀精選及解析3

Read the article below about the changing role of human resources departments.

The best person for the job

Employees can make a business succeed or fail, so the people who choose themhave a vital role to play.

Employees are a company's new ideas, its public face and its main asset. Hiring the right people is therefore a significant factor in a company's success.(0) G If the human resources department makes mistakes with hiring, keeping and dismissing staff, a business can disappear overnight. Many companies now realise that recruiting the best recruiters is the key to success.

Sarah Choi, Head of HR at Enco pic, believes that thinking commercially is a key quality in HR. Every decision an HR manager makes needs to be relevant to advancing the business. (8) ...C.....That's no longer the case. HR managers have to think more strategically these days. They continually need to think about the impact of their decisions on the bottom line. (9).....F... For example,a chief executive will expect the HR department to advise on everything from the headcount to whether to proceed with an acquisition.

Why do people go into HR in the first place? Choi has a ready answer. I think most people in the profession are attracted by a long-term goal.(10)....D......Nothing happens in the company which isn't affected by or doesn't impact on its employees, so the HR department is a crucial part of any business.

Not all operational managers agree. An informal survey of attitudes to HR departments that was carried out last year by a leading business journal received comments such as "What do they actually contribute?"(11).....A..... As Choi points out, salaries have never been higher and, in addition, HR managers often receive substantial annual bonuses.

Despite the financial rewards, HR managers often feel undervalued, and this is a major reason for many leaving their jobs.(12)...E......However, a lack of training and development is a more significant factor. These days, good professional development opportunities are considered an essential part of an attractive package,Choi explains.

A But rising levels of remuneration demonstrate that the profession's growing importance is widely recognised.

B At one time, a professional qualification was required in order to progress to the top of HR.

C Other departments and senior executives used to see HR managers as having a purely administrative role.

D Since it's one of the few areas where you can see the whole operation, it can lead to an influential role on the board.

E Being seen as someone who just ticks off other people's leave and sick days does not help build a sense of loyalty.

F They therefore need to be competent in many aspects of a company's operations.

G On the other hand, recruiting the wrong staff can lead to disaster.

這篇文章的標(biāo)題有些misleading，“The best people for the job”，還以為是招人的標(biāo)準(zhǔn)。其實(shí)這篇文章是關(guān)于Human resource的，所以還是要適當(dāng)關(guān)注文章前的說明：the article below about the changing role of human resources departments.

第八題，空格后面的“That's no longer the case”是很重要的提示。由于空格前面一直在強(qiáng)調(diào)commercial和business，所以在空缺的地方應(yīng)該是和另一個(gè)方面相關(guān)的內(nèi)容。選項(xiàng)C的administrative role正好滿足這個(gè)要求。前后文意思搭配在一起完全吻合。

第九題，后面的for example的很關(guān)鍵，是對前面的補(bǔ)充說明。“For example,a chief executive will expect the HR department to advise on everything from the headcount to whether to proceed with an acquisition.”總裁希望人力資源經(jīng)理對一切事情提出建議，從人數(shù)統(tǒng)計(jì)到是否進(jìn)行收購。這種要求就需要人力資源經(jīng)理具備很多才能。所以F的句子填在這里最合適。

第十題，答案稍微不那么明顯，不過D句中的an influential role可以和第十題的空格后的a crucial part相對應(yīng)，算是答案信號。要從整體上把握第三段，這里認(rèn)為HR manager 的影響是全局的、長期的，所以D句的“see the whole operation”符合情況。

第十一題，理解前后文的意思，前面說過去的operational managers不那么認(rèn)可HR manager的作用，后面指出HR managers掙得多，所以中間是轉(zhuǎn)折的意思。A句的But是個(gè)信號，“上漲的薪酬水平意味著這個(gè)職位逐漸增加的重要性得到了廣泛的認(rèn)可。”意思和前后都吻合，所以是正確答案。

第十二題，空格前說HR managers覺得自己的作用被低估了，所以leaving?？崭窈笠粋€(gè)However，所以空格處應(yīng)該還是和leaving有關(guān)的，為什么離職。E句的意思是“被視作僅僅對別人的離開和生病的日子劃勾的人是沒法幫助建立忠誠感的?！碧钊氪颂幷?。