ReadingTestPart3
VII. Reading Test Part 3
Main Skill Focus: Reading for gist and specific information
Input: Single text (approx. 450-550 words)
Response: 4-option multiple choice
Number of questions: 6
Questions 15-20
l Read the following article about the costs of providing company cars and the questions.
l Each question has four suggested answers or ways of finishing the sentence, A, B, C and D.
l Mark one letter (A, B, C or D) on your Answer Sheet for the answer you choose.
Transport can be a major expense for many companies, especially when cars have to be provided for both managerial and sales staff. As a result, it’s important to keep a close eye on the many costs associated with company cars and how these different costs compare.
The moment a new car is driven away from the showroom, its value will drop by as much as 12 per cent. This is what is known as deprecation and is the largest single cost to the buyer of a new vehicle. Depreciation is highest in the first tow years of a vehicle’s life; at the end of that period a car could be worth just a third of its brand new price. Although the rate of deprecation decreases as time goes by, it remains a major cost factor, as around 85 per cent of company vehicles are bought brand new.
However, it is important to know that some cars depreciate much less than others – regardless of price. This is often to do with rarity and prestige value. The more common the car, the more quickly – in general – it loses value. Imported models, which are restricted in number, can hold their value better than those which are produced domestically and widely available. In the same way, deprecation on a new model of a particular make may be low for the first few years after its launch. This happened when diesel cars were first introduced. They depreciated more slowly when they were rarely seen; now that they are relatively common, this is no longer true.
Another economic factor that transport managers have to consider is fuel costs. Although the general rule is the smaller the car’s engine, the lower its fuel consumption, modern engine designs have reduced this difference substantially. In fact, it is possible to find fairly large vehicles which can match the mini type car for fuel economy. Nevertheless, a sales executive’s company car may cover thirty thousand miles in a year’s work, so even a small saving on every mile will be significant for the firm’s budget. Consequently, companies tend to look fairly closely at the comparative fuel consumption figures of popular cars before making a purchase.
Of course, petrol is not the only cost involved in running a car; there are also things like servicing, repairs and road tax. The last item may not be the biggest, but it is the one that generates the most complaints every time it rises. No government has found it easy to convince drivers that road tax has actually gone up quite slowly and that its level has never reflected the real costs of building and repairing the nation’s road – although both assertions are true.
What about reliability? A really reliable car will need fewer repairs (and be available for use) whereas a less reliable one, even if it is cheaper to buy or service, may end up costing more in breakdown and repair charges. The same applies to parts. Parts for European cars tend to be a little cheaper than those for Japanese cars, but because the cars tend not be as dependable, overall costs will still increase and the attraction of cheap parts is significantly reduced.
A final factor to consider is insurance. There is a huge variation in the price of insurance, not just from car to car but from one insurance company to another. Most people realise that the price of the car and the age of the driver will affect the cost of insurance, but few are aware that companies’ quotes can vary by up to 150% on the same car! Making your car harder to steal will reduce your insurance premiums a little, but choosing the right insurer will make a lot more difference. Again, the message to the cost-conscious manager is to choose both car and insurance company very carefully, and shop around first.
15. In its first two years, a new car depreciates
A. by 12 per cent.
B. by one third.
C. by two thirds.
D. by 85 per cent.
16. Some cars depreciate more slowly than others because
A. they have been produced for the home market.
B. they are relatively uncommon.
C. they are very expensive when they are brand new.
D. they have diesel engines.
17. What do managers have to consider regarding fuel consumption?
A. Company cars do a very high mileage.
B. Petrol is the biggest single cost of a company car.
C. Choosing a large car would waste money.
D. Not all modern engines reduce fuel consumption.
18. What is the writer’s opinion of the road tax?
A. Some money raised by it has been wasted.
B. It should be reduced.
C. The government has not tried to justify it.
E. Some criticisms of it are unfair.
19. The article suggests that, compared to Japanese cars, European models
A. are cheaper to buy.
B. have more expensive parts.
C. are more attractive.
D. are less reliable.
20. The cost of insurance depends mostly on
A. the company you choose to insure with.
B. the age of the person driving.
C. the original cost of the car.
D. how easy it is to steal the car.
题目讲评
Transport can be a major expense for many companies, especially when cars have to be provided for both managerial and sales staff. As a result, it’s important to keep a close eye on the many costs associated with company cars and how these different costs compare.
The moment a new car is driven away from the showroom, its value will drop by as much as 12 per cent. This is what is known as deprecation and is the largest single cost to the buyer of a new vehicle. Depreciation is highest in the first two years of a vehicle’s life; at the end of that period a car could be worth just a third of its brand new price. Although the rate of deprecation decreases as time goes by, it remains a major cost factor, as around 85 per cent of company vehicles are bought brand new.
15. In its first two years, a new car depreciates
A. by 12 per cent.
B. by one third.
C. by two thirds.
D. by 85 per cent.
However, it is important to know that some cars depreciate much less than others – regardless of price. This is often to do with rarity and prestige value. The more common the car, the more quickly – in general – it loses value. Imported models, which are restricted in number, can hold their value better than those which are produced domestically and widely available. In the same way, deprecation on a new model of a particular make (牌子)may be low for the first few years after its launch. This happened when diesel cars were first introduced. They depreciated more slowly when they were rarely seen; now that they are relatively common, this is no longer true.
16. Some cars depreciate more slowly than others because
A. they have been produced for the home market.
B. they are relatively uncommon.
C. they are very expensive when they are brand new.
D. they have diesel engines.
Another economic factor that transport managers have to consider is fuel costs. Although the general rule is the smaller the car’s engine, the lower its fuel consumption, modern engine designs have reduced this difference substantially. In fact, it is possible to find fairly large vehicles which can match the mini type car for fuel economy. Nevertheless, a sales executive’s company car may cover thirty thousand miles in a year’s work, so even a small saving on every mile will be significant for the firm’s budget. Consequently, companies tend to look fairly closely at the comparative fuel consumption figures of popular cars before making a purchase.
17. What do managers have to consider regarding fuel consumption?
A. Company cars do a very high mileage.
B. Petrol is the biggest single cost of a company car.
C. Choosing a large car would waste money.
D. Not all modern engines reduce fuel consumption.
Of course, petrol is not the only cost involved in running a car; there are also things like servicing, repairs and road tax. The last item may not be the biggest, but it is the one that generates the most complaints every time it rises. No government has found it easy to convince drivers that road tax has actually gone up quite slowly and that its level has never reflected the real costs of building and repairing the nation’s road – although both assertions are true.
18. What is the writer’s opinion of the road tax?
A. Some money raised by it has been wasted.
B. It should be reduced.
C. The government has not tried to justify it.
D. Some criticisms of it are unfair.
What about reliability? A really reliable car will need fewer repairs (and be available for use) whereas a less reliable one, even if it is cheaper to buy or service, may end up costing more in breakdown and repair charges. The same applies to parts. Parts for European cars tend to be a little cheaper than those for Japanese cars, but because the cars tend not be as dependable, overall costs will still increase and the attraction of cheap parts is significantly reduced.
19. The article suggests that, compared to Japanese cars, European models
A. are cheaper to buy.
B. have more expensive parts.
C. are more attractive.
D. are less reliable.
A final factor to consider is insurance. There is a huge variation in the price of insurance, not just from car to car but from one insurance company to another. Most people realise that the price of the car and the age of the driver will affect the cost of insurance, but few are aware that companies’ quotes can vary by up to 150% on the same car! Making your car harder to steal will reduce your insurance premiums a little, but choosing the right insurer will make a lot more difference. Again, the message to the cost-conscious manager is to choose both car and insurance company very carefully, and shop around first.
20. The cost of insurance depends mostly on
A. the company you choose to insure with.
B. the age of the person driving.
C. the original cost of the car.
D. how easy it is to steal the car.
premium noun
1 [countable] the cost of insurance, especially the amount that you pay each year保险费
insurance premiums
2 [countable] an additional amount of money, above a standard rate or amount 附加费用
Consumers are prepared to pay a premium for organically grown vegetables. 消费者已经做好准备为购买有机蔬菜多花钱。
Top quality cigars are being sold at a premium. 高品质雪茄加价出售。
3 be at a premium
if something is at a premium, people need it or want it, but there is little of it available or it is difficult to get数量有限，很难得到
During the Olympic Games, accommodation will be at a premium. 在奥运会期间，很难找到住宿的地方。
space/time is at a premium
Foldaway furniture is the answer where space is at a premium. …家具是为空间狭小的家庭而提供的解决方案。
4 put/place a premium on something
to consider one quality or type of thing as being much more important than others 高度评价，高度重视
Modern economies place a premium on educated workers. 现代经济社会更看重受过良好教育的工人。
premium adjective
1 of very high quality 高品质的
premium ice cream 高品质的冰激凌
the current consumer trend for premium products 当今追求高品质产品的消费趋势
premium quality British potatoes 高质量的英国土豆
2 premium price/rate
premium prices and rates are higher than usual ones 高价的
People are prepared to pay premium prices for quality products. 人们已经作好为优质产品花费更多的准备。
Calls are charged at the premium rate of 60p per minute. 话费的价格很高，每分钟60便士。
