C) By releasing the free source-code.

D) By severe competition with Microsoft.

2. Which of the following can be a disadvantage of releasing the source-code?

A) It can bring about self-created competition.

B) It can defeat Microsoft’s ambitions in this market.

C) It can use the improved software.

D) It can get royalty fees from some firms.

3. The expression “a desperate echo”（Line 1, Paragraph 2） most probably means ______.

A) a useless repetition

B) a poor resemblance

C) a shabby product

D) a dangerous copy

4. What does the move of RealNetworks suggest?

A) Microsoft fails to control the software market.

B) Software market is becoming a mixed market.

C) RealNetworks wants to make more money.

D) Software market is not fixed or stable.

5. Which of the following is TRUE according to the text?

A) Netscape had a sheer failure for its publishing the source-code.

B) RealNetworks wants to occupy the source-code market.

C) RealNetworks wants to make profits by releasing the free source-code.

D) Microsoft has to change its managing strategy.





篇章剖析


本文介绍了RealNetworks网络公司通过公布RealPlayer播放器软件秘诀（即源码）试图牵制微软公司的做法。第一段指出RealNetworks试图用一种新方法——公布RealPlayer播放器软件秘诀（即源码）来牵制微软这个软件业巨人；第二段指出RealNetworks网络公司主动出击，想要牵制微软的野心；第三段和第四段详细介绍这一方案的操作、实施以及获利手段；第五段指出软件业的新迹象以及对微软的影响。





词汇注释


chokehold /ˈtʃəʊkhəʊld/ n. 掐脖子

thwart /θwɔːt/ vt. 反对，阻挠，挫败

splinter /ˈsplɪntə/ v. （使）裂成碎片 n. 裂片

royalty /rɒɪəlti/ n. 版税；特许使用费，（专利权的）使用费；王位；特权阶层

edge /edʒ/ vi. 徐徐移动 vt. 使锋利 n. 刃





难句突破


This may sound like a desperate echo of 1998, when Netscape, struggling in Microsoft’s chokehold, published the source-code of its web browser（an initiative that yielded few real results until this June, when the first serious new version of the open-source browser, Mozilla, was released).

主体句式：This may sound like a desperate echo of 1998.

结构分析：本句句型结构并不复杂，关键是理解个别词的含义。“desperate echo”的含义是“危险的仿效”；when是并列连词，相当于and just at that time，意思是“在那时”；struggling in Microsoft’s chokehold作伴随状语来修饰Netscape，其中chokehold的意思是“掐脖子”；web browser的意思是“网络浏览器”；括号里的句子做进一步的补充说明，其中an initiative之前省去了which was；that引导定语从句来修饰an initiative；定语从句中when还是并列连词，Mozilla是open-source browser的同位语。

句子译文：这听起来似乎像是对1998年的一次危险仿效。那年，因被微软“掐着脖子”而奋起挣扎的Netscape公司发表了其网络浏览器的源码（在今年6月它推出了真正意义上的最新版开放源码浏览器——Mozilla——之前，这种主动出击几乎没有给它带来任何实际效果）。





题目分析


1. C 细节题。文章在开头提到“集中注意力做你最拿手的事”这一古老的策略对微软公司在互联网多媒体软件领域的主要竞争对手RealNetworks网络公司十分奏效。现在，RealNetworks网络公司要使用一种新办法，那就是“it released the underlying recipe, or source-code”。

2. A 细节题。原文对应信息是第四段末句：“The self-created competition could also hurt RealNetworks if ...”。

3. D 语义题。从文中“when Netscape, struggling in Microsoft’s chokehold, published the source-code of its web browser”，我们可判断RealNetworks网络公司和Netscape公司的做法一样；从括号中的“an initiative that yielded few real results until this June”，我们可判断Netscape公司的做法是极不成功的、危险的。

4. B 推理题。原文对应信息是末段首句：“RealNetworks’ move is another sign that the software industry is going hybrid.”，理解这句话的关键是要知道什么是hybrid。接下来的句子做出了解释“Mixing elements of proprietary software, where the source-code is tightly controlled, with open-source programs enables firms to expand a market”，词组“mix... with”意为“和…混合”。

5. C 细节题。文章两次提到了“make money”，一句是第三段末句“Clever licensing terms are supposed to ensure that this standard does not splinter and that the firm still makes money.”，另一句是末段倒数第二句“...they hope, still make money.”。从这些句子我们可看出“赚钱”是RealNetworks网络公司实施这一新举措的目的。





参考译文


“集中注意力做你最拿手的事”这一古老的策略对微软公司在互联网多媒体软件领域的主要竞争对手RealNetworks网络公司十分奏效。目前，这家位于西雅图的小型公司正试图用一种新方法来牵制微软这个软件界巨人。10月29日，这家公司发布了RealPlayer播放器软件秘诀，即源码，这一做法将很快适用于该公司的其他程序。同时，这也会使公司让出一大部分知识产权。

这听起来似乎像是对1998年的一次危险仿效。那年，因被微软“掐着脖子”而奋起挣扎的Netscape公司发表了其网络浏览器的源码（在今年6月它推出了真正意义上的最新版开放源码浏览器——Mozilla之前，这种主动出击几乎没有给它带来任何实际效果）。但RealNetworks网络公司并不是在打防御战。它正大力创建一个适用于所有文件格式和驱动程序的公共多媒体软件基础结构，这样，它就在这个很使人看好的市场上有力地牵制住了微软的野心。

该公司希望业内其他公司（志愿参加的程序设计公司、传媒公司和硬件制造公司）采用这种被称为Helix DNA的代码，对它加以改进，并在新装置（诸如移动电话和家用音响）上运行，最终把RealNetworks公司的软件变成一种行业标准。在精明的许可证发放条款保护下，这一标准不会被分成碎块，保证公司仍有钱可赚。

个体开发商、大学和其他非盈利性组织，只要他们也能把其更改后程序的源码公布于众，可根据他们的意愿对该软件进行修改，甚至可以免费发放。这实际上是一种实物支付方式，因为到了那个时候，RealNetworks公司也可使用这些改进的软件成果。另一方面，如果其他公司销售了100万份以上的源码，他们须支付特许权使用费。他们还要保证他们的软件与其他Helix DNA产品兼容。软件开发业已拥有2,000余名成员。一些硬件制造商也支持这一举动。但是风险依然存在。由于担心被盗版，传媒组织对一切可能与黑客有关的举动都表示怀疑（尽管他们也不想依赖微软的技术并支付技术使用费）。但是自我制造的竞争也可能会伤害RealNetworks公司，如果客户认为不值得为以开放源码为基础但具有极佳特点的商业产品额外付钱的话。

RealNetworks公司的举动表明了另一种迹象，即软件业混合发展模式方兴未艾。把那些源码受严格控制的专有软件成分（组件）与开放源码程序加以组合能拓展公司市场、集思广益，并且——他们希望——仍可赚钱。连微软公司也正以这种方式小心翼翼地行事：最近微软公司发出公告，说合伙人现在可以查看——但不能更改或再使用——Passport（微软有争议的数字验证服务）的源码。





Unit 11


Hakan Samuelsson had been an exemplary boss of MAN, Europe’s third-biggest truckmaker. After taking charge in 2005, he transformed it from a clunky conglomerate with interests from printing presses to spaceflight into a business focused on building trucks, turbines and the house-sized diesel engines that power more than three-quarters of the world’s big ships. He also put in place a vigorous international expansion plan that included the purchase last year of Volkswagen’s Brazilian heavy-truck business and this year of a 25% stake in Sinotruk, China’s biggest maker of heavy trucks. Within five years, analysts expected MAN to be earning almost half its revenues in emerging markets. So when Mr Samuelsson abruptly stepped down on November 23rd it came as a shock to nearly everyone. Even his spokesman was on holiday.

The firm mumbled that his departure would allow it to focus on its main business. Some saw this as a reference to allegations that a few of MAN’s employees had paid bribes to win contracts, and that by leaving Mr Samuelsson would allow a clean break with the past. But prosecutors, who did not consider him a suspect, were equally surprised by his exit. His response to the allegations had been admirable, appointing independent lawyers and auditors to conduct a thorough investigation, while offering an amnesty to employees who agreed to help them.

A likelier explanation is that he clashed, not for the first time, with the chairman of the Volkswagen Group, the wily Ferdinand Piëch. In 2006 the two sparred when Mr Samuelsson launched a hostile bid for Scania, a Swedish truck firm. VW, which at the time controlled 34% of Scania’s stock, did not support the takeover. Instead Mr Piëch turned the tables on Mr Samuelsson when VW bought 20% of MAN（a stake subsequently increased to almost 30%）. Mr Piëch is now chairman of MAN’s supervisory board too, and so in a position to realise a long-held ambition to forge a three-way merger that would include VW’s truck business—a combination that would leapfrog Volvo and Daimler AG to become Europe’s biggest truckmaker. Analysts at HSBC reckon that a merger of just Scania and MAN would lead to annual savings of about 600m（$900m）a year. Mr Piëch has said in the past that a full-blown combination of all three could cut costs by as much as 1 billion a year.

Mr Samuelsson’s departure clears the way for his former adversary, Leif Ostling, the head of Scania, to run the new entity. It also hints at how a deal may be structured. The simplest way would have been for MAN to buy Scania, as MAN and VW between them already control 88% of Scania’s voting stock. That would, however, have forced VW to book a loss on its Scania stake（acquired at a higher share price than today’s）, putting strain on a balance-sheet already stretched by VW’s takeover of Porsche. A better option for VW might be for Scania to buy MAN and sell its non-truck operations—a ploy Mr Samuelsson would have resisted.

注（1）：本文选自Economist；

注（2）：本文习题命题模仿对象为2004年真题Text 1。



1. Why did the departure of Hakan Samuelsson shock everyone?

A) Because even his spokesman was not aware of the abrupt decision.

B) Because his over-expansion strategy for MAN was a complete failure.

C) Because his management of MAN yielded outstanding performance.

D) Because he succeeded in adding international components to the company.

2. Which of the following can be the main reason why the departure of Mr. Samuelsson is irrelevant to the bribery allegation?

A) He demonstrated complete support of an independent investigation of the case.

B) He was widely speculated to be involved in abetting bribery.

C) Even the prosecutors were unaware of his exit.

D) He pardoned the employees who were willing to cooperate.

3. What kind of action will Mr. Piëch possibly take for his ambition?

A) He will launch a hostile bid for the Swedish truck firm Scania.

B) He will build the largest truck maker in Europe.

C) He will merge Scania and MAN so as to achieve huge annual savings.

D) He will build a conglomerate by combing Volkswagen, Man and Scania.

4. Why is the departure of Mr. Samuelson a good piece of news to Mr. Piëch?

A) Because it clears the way for Leif Ostling to control the company that merges Volkswagen, Man and Scania.

B) Because Mr. Piëch was aware that Mr. Samuelson would not allow the sales of MAN’s non-truck operations.

C) Because it makes it much more convenient for VW and MAN to purchase Scania jointly.

D) Because the news will help reduce VW’s pressure in terms of loss on the balance sheet.

5. Which of the following is NOT true according to the last two paragraphs?

A) Volvo and Daimler AG are so far the two largest European truck makers.

B) Scania is largely involved in the dispute between Samuelson and Piëch.

C) Leif Ostling was Samuelson’s major adversary who forced the latter’s exit.

D) Porsche was recently merged into the Volkswagen Group.





篇章剖析


本文主要介绍了曼公司模范老板霍坎·萨穆埃尔松突然宣布离职，并分析了其中的原因。第一段介绍对曼公司的发展做出了卓越贡献的萨穆埃尔松突然辞职的情况；第二段分析他的离职原因之一——关于曼公司的行贿指控，并得出否定结论；第三段分析原因之二——与大众汽车集团主席费迪南德·皮希之间的矛盾，并详细回顾了矛盾的由来；最后一段指出萨穆埃尔松辞职将会带来的影响。





词汇注释


clunky /ˈklʌŋki/ adj. 沉重的，笨重的

conglomerate /kənˈglɒmərɪt/ n. （多种经营的）联合企业，企业集团

turbine /ˈtɜːbɪn/ n. 涡轮机，汽轮机

diesel /ˈdiːzəl/ n. 柴油机

mumble /ˈmʌmbl/ v. 含糊地说，咕哝着说

allegation /ˌælɪˈgeɪʃn/ n. 说法，指控

prosecutor /ˈprɒsɪkjuːtə/ n. 检察官，公诉人

amnesty /ˈæmnesti/ n. 大赦，特赦

spar /spɑː/ v. 争论，争吵

takeover /ˈteɪkəʊvə/ n. 收购，接管

merger /ˈmɜːdʒə/ n. （公司等的）合并

leapfrog /ˈliːpfrɒg/ v. 超越，越级提升

full-blown /ˈfulˈbləʊn/ adj. 全面的

adversary /ˈædvəsəri/ n. 对手，敌人





难句突破


Mr Piëch is now chairman of MAN’s supervisory board too, and so in a position to realise a long-held ambition to forge a three-way merger that would include VW’s truck business—a combination that would leapfrog Volvo and Daimler AG to become Europe’s biggest truckmaker.

主体句式：Mr Piëch is now chairman of MAN’s supervisory board too, and so in a position to...

结构分析：本句的主句由and连接的两个并列结构组成。后半部分的并列结构中，包括了一个that引导的定语从句that would include VW’s truck business，来修饰先行词merger。破折号之后的a combination...biggest truckmaker是merger的同位语，其中又有一个that引导的定语从句来修饰combination。

句子译文：现在，皮希同时也是曼公司监事会的主席，这个位置能进一步帮助他实现一个长期的雄心计划，即发起包括大众卡车业务在内的三方并购业务，从而超越沃尔沃和戴姆勒AG成为欧洲最大的卡车制造商。





题目分析


1. C 细节题。文章第一段的主要作用是铺垫，先是介绍萨穆埃尔松如何成功地经营了曼公司，而最后一句话笔锋一转，引出文章的主要议题，即萨穆埃尔松的离职引起了外界的震惊。之所以令所有人意外正是因为他的表现如此出色，没有人以为他会辞职，因此正确答案是C。提到他的发言人是为了进一步强调事情发生之突然，并不是原因，因此A不正确。B与文章意思相反，显然是错误的。D只是萨穆埃尔松成就的一部分，并没有全部概括。

2. A 细节题。本题对应文章第二段，该段提到有人猜测萨穆埃尔松的离开可能与该公司最近的一起贿赂案有关，他想借离职与这个案子做一个了断，但实际上萨穆埃尔松本人做出了admirable response，大力支持案件调查，同时检察官也不认为他是嫌疑人，因此贿赂案不应该成为他离职的真正理由。所以，正确答案是A。B指萨穆埃尔松教唆贿赂是没有根据的。C也不正确，检察官并不是不知道他的离职，而是同样感到惊讶。D的表述虽然正确，但只是他在此案中的一个具体做法，不够全面，因此不能入选。

3. D 细节题。文章第三段明确提到了皮希的雄心，如a three-way merger、a full-blown combination of all three这些词汇都说明他的目标是三家公司的合并。A是萨穆埃尔松曾经试图做的事情，B是皮希的目标或雄心而不是手段，C是汇丰银行的预估，所以这三个选项都不正确。正确答案是D。

4. B 细节题。文章最后一段提到“更好的策略是让斯堪尼亚公司收购曼公司，并且出售曼公司的非卡车业务，而萨穆埃尔松肯定会坚决反对这一策略”，可见B是正确答案，其余三个选项都与最后一段表述不符。

5. C 细节题。选项A、B、D都可在文章最后两段找到对应信息。最后一段的第一句指出Leif Ostling是萨穆埃尔松的老对手，但并没有提及他迫使萨穆埃尔松离职，选项表述不正确，因此选C。





参考译文


一直以来，霍坎·萨穆埃尔松都是欧洲第三大卡车制造商曼公司的模范老板。曼公司以前是一家笨重杂乱的企业集团，生产从印刷机到宇宙飞船的各类产品。但自2005年霍坎·萨穆埃尔松掌管曼公司以来，他将公司转型为一个专门生产卡车、涡轮机以及可给全世界四分之三以上的大型轮船提供动力的、体积堪比房屋的柴油机的公司。他还积极实施一项国际扩张计划，包括去年收购大众在巴西的重型卡车业务，以及今年收购中国最大的重型卡车制造商——中国重汽25%的股权。有分析家预测，五年之内曼集团将有近一半的收入来自发展中国家的新兴市场。因此当今年11月23日萨穆埃尔松先生突然提出辞职时，所有人都非常吃惊。甚至连他的发言人都还在休假。

对此，公司向外界含糊解释道，萨穆埃尔松的离开可以使公司专注于其主要业务。有些人认为这是指之前的一些指控，即曼公司的一些雇员曾经通过行贿来获取订单合同，而萨穆埃尔松的离职可以使他与此事有个彻底的了结。但认为萨穆埃尔松没有贿赂嫌疑的检方也对其离职感到同样的吃惊。萨穆埃尔松对这些指控的反应令人钦佩，他一方面指派独立律师和审计师进行彻底的调查，另一方面则对那些配合调查的雇员给予宽大处理。

另一种更为可信的解释是，萨穆埃尔松与大众汽车集团颇有心机的总裁费迪南德·皮希之间产生了矛盾，而这已经不是第一次了。早在2006年，两个人就在萨穆埃尔松对瑞典卡车公司斯堪尼亚发起恶意收购时有过争执，当时持有斯堪尼亚公司34%股票的大众公司不支持这项收购。而当大众公司购买了曼公司20%的股票时（随后这个比例增加到30%），皮希最终占据了上风。现在，皮希同时也是曼公司监事会的主席，这个位置能进一步帮助他实现一个长期的雄心计划，即发起包括大众卡车业务在内的三方并购业务，从而超越沃尔沃和戴姆勒AG成为欧洲最大的卡车制造商。汇丰银行的分析家认为，如果将斯堪尼亚公司和曼公司都并入大众，那么这个集团每年可以节省约6亿欧元（约合9亿美元）的成本。皮希过去也曾经提到过，三家公司的全面合并将为每年削减多达10亿欧元的成本。

萨穆埃尔松的离开为他的老对手——斯堪尼亚公司的总裁莱夫·奥斯特林接管新公司扫清了障碍。他的离开也暗示了这桩交易的方式。最简单的方式就是曼公司直买下斯堪尼亚公司，因为曼公司和大众公司现在共持有斯堪尼亚公司88%有表决权的股票。但是，大众公司持有的斯堪尼亚公司股票会出现亏损（大众公司购买该公司股票时其股价比今天要高），这将给因收购保时捷已经压力重重的大众资产负债表又加上一个重担。因此，对于大众公司来说，更好的策略是让斯堪尼亚公司收购曼公司，并且出售曼公司的非卡车业务，而萨穆埃尔松先生肯定会坚决反对这一策略。





Unit 12


In 1999, as soon as he completed high school and following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, Lionel Hamilton enlisted to serve his country. He worked as a helicopter mechanic before ultimately becoming a pilot. He flew a Blackhawk and helped save countless lives by transporting soldiers out of danger.

Lionel still works on flying machines. Today, he oversees assembly at a GE jet engine testing facility in Peebles, Ohio. Lionel Hamilton is doing something else, too. He is answering a key question in the debate on how we build a growing and sustainable American economy. That question is not whether companies are hiring again. Manufacturing companies, large and small, are ready to hire. The question is: where can these companies find the qualified, skilled workers required for the high-tech jobs that define advanced manufacturing today?