Passage Four
Those who work in the Netherlands often feel that a lot of time is wasted in discussions that lead to nothing. There are often meetings with documents, an agenda and a chairman. All those present will have their say, after which their remarks are discussed. He who decides to skip a meeting though he has nothing more urgent to attend to, will find it unwise. The interacting that takes place during a meeting is very important for the general process. He who does not appear is saying that he does not think the subject is suffi- ciently important mportant, or that he apparently does not take his colleagues seriously. Furthermore, he e might miss some of the essential information that may become evident during the meeting.
Those who are present show an interest in the problems of their colleagues. They supply ques- tions, rather than commands, and thus declare themselves"co-responsible". The Dutch, in their final conclusions, like to use such metaphors as"We are all in one line" or"Our noses are pointing in the same direction again."
If you present a decision, you will find that everyone has something to say about it and has questions to ask. This is why the Dutch will not be quick to present something as the only correct solution. The advantage to this approach is that such a meeting will often lead to genu- ine suggestions for improvement on certain aspects of a plan. As a result, the plan will be a joint approach.
This timeconsuming and seemingly useless process helps colleagues become team.The amount of time that is lost around the table is more than what made up for inefficiency, once everyone goes back to work. Statistics show Dutch employees are among the world leaders when it comes to work productivity.
According to Paragraph 3, why can't Dutch employees come to a quick decision?
A、 People are constantly in dispute.
B、 An idea usually undergoes a full discussion.
C、 Suggestions often lead nowhere
D、 People often forget the aims of meetings.
【正确答案】：B
【题目解析】：细节题。第三段: If you present decision, you will find that everyone has something to say about it and has questions to ask. This is why the Dutch will not be quick to present something as the only correct solution. The advantage to this approach is that such a meeting will often lead to genuine suggestions for improvement on certain aspects of a plan意思是:如果你提出一个决定,你会发现每个人都有话要说,以及有问题要问。这就是为什么荷兰人不能很快找到一个唯一正确的解决办法。这种方式的优点是,这样的会议往往会导致对某个计划的某些方面的改进提出真正的建议。此部分与选项B. An idea usually undergoes full discussion(一个想法往往要经过充分的讨论)表述一致。所以,选B.选项A. People are constantly in dispute(人们持续争论中),选项. Suggestions often lead nowhere(建议通常会导致一事无成),选项D. People often forget the aims of meetings人们经常忘记会议的目的),这三个选项均不正确。
