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.
To Dutch employees, one who is absent from a meeting____
A、 does not take his colleagues seriously
B、 may have something more urgent to do
C、 dces not miss much critical information
D、 may have nothing to say at the meeting
【正确答案】：A
【题目解析】：细节题。根据题干中 one who is absent from meeting定位至第二段:or that he apparently does not take his colleagues seriously. A. does not take his col- leagues seriously(对待同事不认真)表述一致所以,选A.选项B. may have something more urgent to do与第二段第一句话 though he has nothing more urgent to attend to.意思相反;选项C. does not miss much critical information第二段中“Furthermore, he might miss some of the essential information.意思相反;D. may have nothing to say at the meeting与第二段中“Those who are present show an interest in the problems of their colleaguesthey supply questions ..”意思不一致。所以,B、C和D都不正确。
