Bill Gates, the billionaire Microsoft chairman without a single earned university degree, is by his success raising new doubts about the worth of the business world’s favorite academic title: the MBA (Master of Business Administration).

The MBA, a 20^th century product, always has borne the mark of lowly commerce and greed on the tree-lined campuses ruled by purer disciplines such as philosophy and literature.

But even with the recession(经济萎缩) apparently cutting down the hiring of business school graduates, about 79,000 people are expected to receive MBAs in 1993. This is nearly 16 times the number of business graduates in 1960.

“If you are going into the corporate world it is still a disadvantage not to have one,” said Donald Morrison, professor of marketing and management science. “But in the last five years or so, when someone says, ‘Should I attempt to get an MBA?’ the answer a lot more is: It depends.”

The success of Bill Gates and other non-MBAs, such as the late Sam Walton of Wal-Mart Stores Inc., has helped inspire self-conscious debates on business school campuses over the worth of a business degree and whether management skills can be taught.

The Harvard Business Review printed a lively, fictional exchange of letters to dramatize complaints about business degree holders. The article called MBA hires “extremely disappointing” and said “MBAs want to move up too fast, they don’t understand politics and people, and they aren’t able to function as part of a team until their third year. But by then, they’re out looking for other jobs.”

The problem, most participants in the debate acknowledge, is that the MBA has acquired an aura (光环) of future riches and power far beyond its actual importance and usefulness.

Business people who have hired or worked with MBAs say those with the degrees of ten know how to analyze systems but are not so skillful at motivating people. “They don’t get a lot of grounding in the people side of the business”, said James Shaffer, vice-president and principal of the Towers Perrin management consulting firm.

1.According to paragraph 2, what is the general attitude towards business on campuses ruled by purer disciplines?

A．Envious(嫉妒的).	B．Realistic.
C．Scornful(蔑视的).	D．Appreciative.

2.. It seems that the argument over the value of MBA degrees had been fueled mainly by ___.

A．the complaints from various employers

B．the success of many non-MBAs

C．the criticism from the scientists of purer disciplines

D．the poor performance of MBAs at work

3.. What is the major weakness of MBA holders according to the Harvard Business Review?

A．They are usually self-centered.

B．They are aggressive and greedy.

C．They keep complaining about their jobs.

D．They are not good at dealing with people.

4.. From the passage we know that most MBAs ________.

A．can climb the corporate ladder fairly quickly

B．quit their jobs once they are familiar with their workmates

C．receive salaries that do not match their professional training

D．cherish unrealistic expectations about their future

5. What is the passage mainly about?

A．Why there is an increased enrollment in MBA programs.

B．The necessity of reforming MBA programs in business schools.

C．Doubts about the worth of holding an MBA degree.

D．A debate held recently on university campuses.

 

Get Your Degree at Home!

Have you ever wondered what a Degree might be worth to you in your job or career? It means a lot—Americans with an Association Degree average nearly $10,000 more in yearly earnings than those with just a High School Diploma.

   Harcourt Learning Direct offers you a way to get a Specialized Associate Degree in 11 of today’s growing fields—without having to go to college full time. With Harcourt, you study at home, in your spare time—so you don’t have to give up your present job while you train for a better one. Choose from exciting majors like Business Management, Accounting, Dressmaking &Design, Bookkeeping, Photography, Computer Science, Engineering and more!

Your training includes everything you need!

   Books, lessons, learning aids—even professional-quality tools and equipment—everything you need to master your training and move ahead to a new career is included in the low tuition price you pay.

Your education is nationally recognized!

   Nearly 2,000 American companies—including General Electric, IBM, Mobil, General Motors, Ford, and many others—have used our training for their employees. If companies like these recognize the value of our training, you can be sure that employers in your area will, too!

Earn your degree in as little as two years! Get a career diploma in just six months!

   The career of your dreams is closer than you think. Even if you have no experience before, you can get valuable job skills in today’s hottest fields! Step-by-step lessons make learning easy. Prepare for promotions, pay raise, even start a business of your own!

Send today for FREE information about Harcourt at-home training!

Simply fill in your name and address on the coupon(登记表) above. Then, write in the name and number of the one program you're most interested in, and post it today. We’ll rush you free information about how you can take advantage of the opportunities in the field you’ve chosen. Act today!

Mail coupon today! Or call the number below

1-800-372-1589

Call anytime, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

www. .harcourt-learning.com

e-mail: harcourt@learning.com

What kind of people will probably answer this advertisement?

A. College students preparing to work in some big companies.

B. college students preparing to study for a degree.

C. High school graduates preparing to have at-home training.

D. High school graduates preparing for college entrance examinations.

People can get a Specialized Associate Degree by_______.

A. doing full-time learning at school

B. working in some big famous companies

C. studying in their spare time

D. studying abroad for two years

How can you contact Harcourt Learning Direct?

A. By sending an E-mail.   

B. By visiting the office on weekdays.

C. By making a call on weekdays only.

D. By sending a letter not later than today.

During the last century we have moved from the Industrial Age through the Information Age to the Knowledge Age. The ability to obtain and apply the right knowledge effectively will become a key skill in the next century. Our ability will no longer be judged only by knowledge gained in the past, but will also be measured by our ability to learn and adapt in the future.
Learning isn’t just about economic success, however. It is the key to achieving our full potential(潜能,潜力). Human beings are particularly adapted to learn and we have the ability to do so throughout our lives.
Learning has the power to change us. Specifically, we can become more successful. Learning can enable us to solve problems and change our attitudes. It makes us more interesting to be with. It can be enormous fun. It can also be very challenging.
We all have the ability, at any age, to change our lives through learning. Our survival in the twenty-first century as individuals, organizations and nations, will depend on our ability to learn. A learning population is healthier, more tolerant(容忍的,宽容的), independent and fulfilled. Learning can take place in a range of styles: anytime, anywhere, anyhow.
None of us learn in isolation(隔绝,孤立). There are a whole range of factors that can affect us in learning. The key factors affecting people’s learning include: ●their resources ●their image of learning ●the rewards associated with any learning activity ●the availability of information about learning opportunities ●the climate created by government and employers in which learning takes place
【小题1】 What is the most important skill in the next century according to the passage?

A．Knowledge we obtained in the past.

B．Computer skill.

C．The ability to obtain and apply knowledge.

D．Foreign language.

【小题2】 What is the most important purpose of learning?

A．To succeed economically.

B．To achieve in life.

C．To solve problems.

D．To achieve our full potential.

【小题3】 In many ways learning has the power to transform us, so which of the following does NOT belong to the ways?

A．We can have a longer life.

B．We can become more successful through learning.

C．We can be more open-minded.

D．We can be more agreeable.

【小题4】Which of the following proverbs can best go with the fourth paragraph?

A．Learning makes a good man better and an ill man worse.

B．It’s never too late to learn.

C．Reading makes a full man.

D．Knowledge is power.

Get Your Degree at Home!

Have you ever wondered what a Degree might be worth to you in your job or career? It means a lot—Americans with an Association Degree average nearly $10,000 more in yearly earnings than those with just a High School Diploma.

Harcourt Learning Direct offers you a way to get a Specialized Associate Degree in 11 of today’s growing fields—without having to go to college full time. With Harcourt, you study at home, in your spare time—so you don’t have to give up your present job while you train for a better one. Choose from exciting majors like Business Management, Accounting, Dressmaking &Design, Bookkeeping, Photography, Computer Science, Engineering and more!

Your training includes everything you need!

Books, lessons, learning aids—even professional-quality tools and equipment—everything you need to master your training and move ahead to a new career is included in the low tuition price you pay.

Your education is nationally recognized!

Nearly 2,000 American companies—including General Electric, IBM, Mobil, General Motors, Ford, and many others—have used our training for their employees. If companies like these recognize the value of our training, you can be sure that employers in your area will, too!

Earn your degree in as little as two years! Get a career diploma in just six months!

The career of your dreams is closer than you think. Even if you have no experience before, you can get valuable job skills in today’s hottest fields! Step-by-step lessons make learning easy. Prepare for promotions, pay raise, even start a business of your own!

Send today for FREE information about Harcourt at-home training!

Simply fill in your name and address on the coupon(登记表) above. Then, write in the name and number of the one program you're most interested in, and post it today. We’ll rush you free information about how you can take advantage of the opportunities in the field you’ve chosen. Act today!

Mail coupon today! Or call the number below

1-800-372-1589

Call anytime, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

www. .harcourt-learning.com

e-mail: harcourt@learning.com

1.What kind of people will probably answer this advertisement?

A．College students preparing to work in some big companies.

B．college students preparing to study for a degree.

C．High school graduates preparing to have at-home training.

D．High school graduates preparing for college entrance examinations.

2. People can get a Specialized Associate Degree by_______.

A．doing full-time learning at school

B．working in some big famous companies

C．studying in their spare time

D．studying abroad for two years

3.How can you contact Harcourt Learning Direct?

A．By sending an E-mail.

B．By visiting the office on weekdays.

C．By making a call on weekdays only.

D．By sending a letter not later than today.

 

Get Your Degree at Home!
Have you ever wondered what a degree might be worth to you in your job or career? It means a lot of Americans with an Associate Degree average nearly $10,000 more in yearly earnings than those with just a High School Diploma(毕业证).
① Harcourt Learning Direct offers you a way to get a Specialized Associate Degree in 11 of today’s growing fields without having to go to college full time. ② With Harcourt, you can study at home, in your spare time—so you don’t have to give up your present job while you train for a better one. Choose from exciting majors like Business Management, Accounting, Dressmaking & Design, Bookkeeping, Photography, Computer Science, Engineering, and more!
Your training includes everything you need!
Books, lessons, learning aids—even professional quality tools and equipment—everything you need to master your training and move ahead to a new career is included in the low tuition(学费) price you pay.
Your education is nationally recognized!
Nearly 2,000 American companies—including General Electric, IBM, Mobile, General Motors, Ford, and many others have used our training for their employees. If companies like these recognize the value of our training, you can be sure that employers in your area will, too!
Earn your degree in as little as two years! Get a career diploma in just six months!
The career of your dreams is closer than you think! Even if you have no experience before, you can get valuable job skills in today’s hottest fields! Step-by-step lessons make learning easy. Prepare for promotions, pay raises, even start a business of your own!
Send today for FREE information about Harcourt at home training!
Simply fill in your name and address on the coupon(登记表) above. Then, write in the name and number of the one program you’re most interested in, and mail it today. We’ll send you free information about how you can take advantage of the opportunities in the field you’ve chosen. Act today!
Mail coupon today or call the number below!
1-800-372-1589  Call anytime 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
www.harcourt-learning.com
E-mail: harcourt@learning.com
【小题1】What kind of people will probably answer this advertisement?

A．College students preparing to work in some big companies.

B．College students preparing to study for a degree.

C．High school graduates preparing to have at-home training.

D．High school graduates who aren’t accepted by colleges.

【小题2】With Harcourt, people can get a Specialized Associate Degree by              .

A．doing full-time learning at school	B．joining the classes
C．studying in their spare time	D．staying at home

【小题3】Harcourt training has NOT been used by              for its employees.

A．General Motors	B．Harvard University
C．General Electric	D．Mobile

【小题4】How can you contact Harcourt Learning Direct?

A．By sending an E-mail.

B．By visiting the office on weekdays.

C．By making a call on weekdays only.

D．By sending a letter not later than today.