Question

【题目】 Over the next decade, technology will decimate more jobs in many professions.

Some robots already cost less to operate than the salaries of the humans they replace, and they are getting cheaper. Boston Consulting Group predicts that, by 2025, the operating cost of a robot that does welding (焊接) will be less than $2 per hour, for example. That’s more affordable than the $25 per hour that a human welder earns today in America.

Uber and many other companies are working on developing cars and trucks that don’t need a driver in the driver’s seat. According to the American Trucking Associations, approximately 3 million truck drivers were employed in the United States in 2010, and 6. 8 million others were employed in other jobs relating to trucking activity. So roughly one of every 15 workers in the country is employed in the trucking business. We could be talking about millions of jobs disappearing in the early 2020s.

And then there is the “Gig Economy (零工经济)” that has some businesses moving toward part-time, on-demand employment. Uber has already done this to taxi drivers, and other technology companies are doing it to a wide range of jobs. A study by Intuit predicted that, by 2020, 40% of American workers will be self-employed, and that full-time jobs will be harder to find. We are talking about 60 million people in this category. The problem is that not only do such part-time workers lack reliable full-time jobs and sick pay, but they can’t enjoy health insurance and longer-term benefits.

The measures to be taken are to raise trade barriers. But closing the doors to foreign trade won’t bring jobs back. It will only slow the global economy and hurt American exports, shrinking the U. S. economy and accelerating job loss.

【1】The underlined word “decimate” in Paragraph 1 can be replaced by “______”.

A. make someone interested inB. equip someone for

C. wipe outD. bring back

【2】What will happen with technologies developing according to the text?

A. Robots will become smarter and smarter.

B. Uber’s labor cost will be lower and lower.

C. More and more truck drivers will be needed.

D. Taxi drivers can enjoy more health insurance.

【3】Which of the following is an advantage of a full-time job?

A. It may be flexible.

B. It may offer sick pay.

C. It is full of adventure.

D. It is always well-paid.

【4】Which of the following does the writer agree on?

A. Welcoming foreign trade.

B. Offering more part-time jobs.

C. Using fewer robots to stop job loss.

D. Developing more new technologies.

【5】What’s the writer’s main purpose in writing the text?

A. To show technology advances in our daily life.

B. To prove technologies cause low incomes.

C. To introduce what the Gig Economy is.

D. To warn the Gig Economy is coming.

Answer 1

【答案】

【1】C

【2】B

【3】B

【4】A

【5】D

【解析】

本文是一篇说明文，随着技术进步，很多公司使用更多的机器人，不再需要很多全职工人。零工经济时代很快就会到来。

【1】词义猜测题。根据第二段第一句“Some robots already cost less to operate than the salaries of the humans they replace, and they are getting cheaper.”可知机器人的成本比人力更便宜，未来很多公司会更多使用机器人。也就是说机器人会夺走很多人的工作。故C项正确。

【2】推理判断题。根据第三段第一句“Uber and many other companies are working on developing cars and trucks that don’t need a driver in the driver’s seat.”可知Uber公司开发了无人驾驶技术，会大大地减少雇佣司机的工资付出，公司的运营成本会越来越低。故B项正确。

【3】推理判断题。根据第四段最后一句“The problem is that not only do such part-time workers lack reliable full-time jobs and sick pay, but they can’t enjoy health insurance and longer-term benefits.”可知兼职工作的人无法享受生病工资，也就是说全职工作的人可以享受sick pay，这也是sick pay的优势。故B项正确。

【4】推理判断题。根据文章最后一句“But closing the doors to foreign trade won’t bring jobs back. It will only slow the global economy and hurt American exports, shrinking the U. S. economy and accelerating job loss.”可知作者认为关闭对外贸易并不能让工作机会回归，只会减缓全球经济发展并伤害美国的出口。由此可见作者支持对外贸易。故A项正确。

【5】推理判断题。根据文章前两段可知技术进步让公司使用更多的机器人，不再需要很多全职工人。再根据第四段第一句“And then there is the “Gig Economy (零工经济)” that has some businesses moving toward part-time, on-demand employment.”可知零工经济时代很快就会到来。故D项正确。