* The number of women directors appointed to corpo- rate boards in the United States has increased dramati- cally, but the ratio of female to male directors remains low. Although pressure to recruit women directors,
5) unlike that to employ women in the general work force, does not derive from legislation, it is nevertheless real.
* Although small companies were the first to have women directors, large corporations currently have a higher percentage of women on their boards. When the
10) chairs of these large corporations began recruiting women to serve on boards, they initially sought women who were chief executive officers
CEO's) of large corpo- rations. However, such women CEO's are still rare. In addition, the ideal of six CEO's
female or male ) serving
15) on the board of each of the largest corporations is realiz- able only if every CEO serves on six boards. This raises the specter of director overcommitment and the resultant dilution of contribution. Consequently, the chairs nextsought women in business who had the equivalent of
20) CEO experience. However, since it is only recently thatlarge numbers of women have begun to rise in manage-ment, the chairs began to recruit women of high achieve-ment outside the business world. Many such women arewell known for their contributions in government,
25) education, and the nonprofit sector. The fact that thewomen from these sectors who were appointed wereoften acquaintances of the boards' chairs seems quitereasonable: chairs have always considered it importantfor directors to interact comfortably in the boardroom.
*30) Although many successful women from outside thebusiness world are unknown to corporate leaders, thesewomen are particularly qualified to serve on boardsbecause of the changing nature of corporations. Today acompany's ability to be responsive to the concerns of the
35) community and the environment can influence that company's growth and survival. Women are uniquely positioned to be responsive to some of these concerns. Although conditions have changed, it should be remem- bered that most directors of both sexes are over fifty
40) years old. Women of that generation were often encour- aged to direct their attention toward efforts to improve the community. This fact is reflected in the career devel- opment of most of the outstandingly successful women of the generation now in their fifties, who currently serve
45) on corporate boards: 25 percent are in education and 22 percent are in government, law, and the nonprofit sector.
* One organization of women directors is helping busi- ness become more responsive to the changing needs of
50) society by raising the level of corporate awareness about social issues, such as problems with the economy, government regulation, the aging population, and the environment. This organization also serves as a resource center of information on accomplished women who are
55) potential candidates for corporate boards
1. The author of the passage would be most likely to agreewith which of the following statements aboutachievement of the "ideal" mentioned in line 14?
(A) It has only recently become a possibility.
(B) It would be easier to meet if more CEO's werewomen
(C) It is very close to being a reality for most corporateboards.
(D) It might affect the quality of directors' service tocorporations.
(E) It would be more realizable if CEO's had a moreextensive range of business experience.
2. According to the passage, the pressure to appointwomen to corporate boards differs from the pressure toemploy women in the work force in which of thefollowing ways?
(A) Corporate boards are under less pressure because theyhave such a small number of openings.
(B) Corporate boards have received less pressure fromstockholders, consumers, and workers withincompanies to include women on their boards.
(C) Corporate boards have received less pressure fromthe media and the public to include women on theirboards.
(D) Corporations have only recently been pressured toinclude women on their boards.
(E) Corporations are not subject to statutory penalty forfailing to include women on their boards.
3. All of the following are examples of issues that theorganization described in the last paragraph would belikely to advise corporations on EXCEPT
(A) long-term inflation
(B) health and safety regulations
(C) retirement and pension programs
(D) the energy shortage
(E) how to develop new markets
4. It can be inferred from the passage that, when seeking toappoint new members to a corporation's board, the chairtraditionally looked for candidates who
(A) had legal and governmental experience
(B) had experience dealing with community affairs
(C) could work easily with other members of the board
(D) were already involved in establishing policy for thatcorporation
(E) had influential connections outside the businessworld
5. According to the passage, which of the following is trueabout women outside the business world who arecurrently serving on corporate boards?
(A) Most do not serve on more than one board.
(B) A large percentage will eventually work on the staffof corporations.
(C) Most were already known to the chairs of the boardto which they were appointed.
(D) A larger percentage are from government and lawthan are from the nonprofit sector.
(E) Most are less than fifty years old.
6. The passage suggests that corporations of the past differfrom modern corporations in which of the followingways?
(A) Corporations had greater input on governmentpolicies affecting the business community.
(B) Corporations were less responsive to the financialneeds of their employees.
(C) The ability of a corporation to keep up withchanging markets was not a crucial factor in itssuccess.
(D) A corporation's effectiveness in coping withcommunity needs was less likely to affect its growthand prosperity.
(E) Corporations were subject to more stringentgovernment regulations.
7. Which of the following best describes the organizationof the passage?
(A) A problem is described, and then reasons whyvarious proposed solutions succeeded or failed arediscussed.
(B) A problem is described, and then an advantage ofresolving it is offered.
(C) A problem is described, and then reasons for itscontinuing existence are summarized.
(D) The historical origins of a problem are described,and then various measures that have successfullyresolved it are discussed.
(E) The causes of a problem are described, and then itseffects are discussed.
8. It can be inferred from the passage that factors makingwomen uniquely valuable members of modern corporateboards would include which of the following?Ⅰ. The nature of modern corporationsⅡ. The increased number of women CEO'sⅢ. The careers pursued by women currently available toserve on corporate boards
(A) Ⅰonly
(B) Ⅱonly
(C) Ⅲ only
(D) Ⅰand Ⅲ only
(E) Ⅰ,Ⅱ, and Ⅲ
Ans: DEECCDBD
我錯了第1.2.5.7.8題, 超慘的, 做了第2次,還是不懂第2.5.8題, 不知在文章的哪個部分,可看出答案. 請大家幫忙囉!