Question

Competition in the workplace can be a good thing for a number of different reasons. On the other hand, competition can also have some disadvantages, though. Some industries tend to be more competitive in the workplace than others. For instance, those in the sales field will typically be more competitive with co-workers than individuals in other fields, such as information technology. Nevertheless, a little competition in even the least competitive industries can be positive.

Competition in the workplace can create an environment where employees push each other to exceed their normal limits, which can result in increased production, both at an individual level and among the entire workforce as a whole. As individual production numbers increase, so do those of the entire team of workers who seek to outdo one another. Competition can be rewarded with bonuses or various types of rewards.

Workplace competition can also inspire a commitment to self-improvement. While financial motivations and bonuses are always a plus to get the competition going, those who see the bigger picture may take the competition as an opportunity to better themselves in the process of winning the competition. Self-improvement may include actions like changing work habits to be more organized, using visualization and goal setting to achieve goals and simply performing higher quality work.

Not all competition in the workplace necessarily has to take place at the individual level. Competition can bring about a sense of teamwork in the workplace when workers are placed in groups and asked to compete with one another, which can have a number of positive results that come from workers cooperating with each other. For example, workers can learn the value of communication and helping someone else, both of which have an influence on other areas of work like customer service.

1.What does the underlined word “exceed” in Paragraph 2 mean?

A. Life    B. Cancel

C. Break through    D. Set up

2.Which industry is likely to involve more workplace competition?

A. The sales field    B. Film Production

C. Customer service    D. Information technology

3.How can competition contribute to employees’ self-improvement?

A. It changes their lifestyles greatly    B. It assists them to achieve a higher goal

C. It improves their financial management    D. It offers them chances to change for the better

4.What is the best title for the text?

A. Benefits of Workplace Competition

B. Reasons for Joining in Competitions

C. Approaches to Winning Competition

D. Strengths and Weaknesses of Competition

Answer

1.C

2.A

3.D

4.A

【解析】本文讲述了工作场所采取的竞争尽管有一些缺点，但是它可以为员工创造竞争的环境、可以激发员工提升的承诺同时可以培养员工们的团队合作。

1.词义猜测题。由文章第二段中的Competition in the workplace can create an environment where employees push each other to exceed their normal limits,可知，工作场所存在竞争可以为员工创造竞争的环境，在这种环境中人们相互竞争突破出彼此最大的极限，激发潜能。因此动词exceed是突破。故C选项正确。

2.细节理解题。由文章第一段中的Some industries tend to be more competitive in the workplace than others. For instance, those in the sales field will typically be more competitive with co-workers than individuals in other fields, such as information technology.可知，文章指出销售行业存在更多的竞争力。故A选项正确。

3.细节理解题。由文章第三段中的those who see the bigger picture may take the competition as an opportunity to better themselves in the process of winning the competition.可知，工作场所存在竞争可以给员工创造提升的空间，促使员工更好地完善自己。故D选项正确。

4.主旨大意题。由文章第一段中的Competition in the workplace can be a good thing for a number of different reasons.工厂竞争有许多优势以及下文提到的工厂竞争可以创造竞争的环境、可以激发员工提升的承诺可以培养员工们的团队合作。得知本文主要讲述了工厂竞争的优势。故A选项正确。