11．New technology links the world as never before．Our plant has shrunk．It's now a"global village"where countries are only seconds away by fax or phone satellite link．And，of course，our ability to benefit from this high-tech communications equipment is greatly enhanced by foreign language skills．
Deeply involved with this new technology is a breed of modern business people who have a growing respect for the economic value of doing business abroad．In modern markets，success overseas often help support domestic business efforts．
Overseas assignments are becoming increasingly important to advancement within executive ranks．The executive stationed in another country no longer need fear being"out of sight and out of mind．"He or she can be sure that the overseas effort is central to the company's plan for success，and that promotions often follow or accompany an assignment abroad．If an employee can succeed in a difficult assignment overseas，superiors will have greater confidence in his or her ability to cope back in the United States where cross-cultural considerations and foreign language issues are becoming more and more prevalent（流行的）．
Thanks to a variety of relatively inexpensive communications devices with business applications，even small businesses in the United States are able to get into international markets．
English is still the international language of business．But there is an ever-growing need for people who can speak another language．A second language isn't generally required to get a job in business，but having language skills gives a candidate the edge when other qualifications appear to be equal．
The employee posted abroad who speaks the country's principal language has an opportunity to fast-forward certain negotiations，and can have the cultural insight to know when it is better to move more slowly．The employer at the home office who can communicate well with foreign clients over the telephone or by fax machine is an obvious asset to the firm．
（Note Answer the questions or complete the statements in NO MORE THAN SIX WORDS．）
78．In this passage，"out of sight and out of mind"in paragraph 3probably meansmissing opportunities for promotion when abroad．
79．What is the author's attitude toward high-tech communications equipment？Positive．．
80．According to the passage，what is an important consideration of international corporations in employing people today？Ability to speak the client's language．
81．The advantage of employees having foreign language skills is that they canbetter control the whole negotiation process．
分析 这篇材料讲的是外语能力在国际商业中的作用，论述的重心落在了国际商业的重要性和易行性上，仅仅在最后两段提到了外语能力的作用．
解答 78．missing opportunities for promotion when abroad 考查细节题．在第三段"that promotions often follow or accompany an assignment abroad"可以看出，"out of sight and out of mind"意思是错失了失去提升的机会．
79．Positive．态度概括题．从全文内容看，作者对于高科技是持肯定的态度，文章中多次提到了高科技给人们带来的益处．
80．Ability to speak the client's language 考查细节题．"but having language skills gives a candidate the edge when other qualifications appear to be equal"在第五段的最后提到"能说外语让竞争者更有优势"．
81．better control the whole negotiation process 细节题．最后一段"The employee posted abroad who speaks the country's principal language has an opportunity to fast-forward certain negotiations"告诉我们懂外语的员工可以在谈判中掌握主动权，可以更好的控制整个过程．
点评 阅读表达主要考查学生在理解文章大意的基础上，将找到的信息进行重组和整合，并将字数控制在范围内．
