|
Passage Three
Questions 31 to 35 are based on the
following passage:
Microsoft is no longer the world's biggest
company by market capitalization. Three other U.S. companies have overtaken the
software giant in terms of stock market value. The firm's value has gone down
sharply by 41% so far this year, from nearly $600 billion to $358 billion. Much
of the reason for the fall has been the uncertainty prompted by the on-going
anti-trust case. It has been overtaken by General Electric, now worth $506 bn,
Intel, worth $441 bn and Cisco Systems, $436 bn.
Over the past year Microsoft shares have
moved downwards from a high of $120 to $68 in early trading on 7 June.
Meanwhile rival Cisco has seen its share price rise by $25 to more than $60 as
the company has gained its role in providing the hardware for the Internet. And
for most of the year it has been competing with computer chip maker Intel for
the second place. Intel's Pentium chips are widely used in personal computers
worldwide.
The company that now holds the title of the
world's biggest company is an industrial giant which makes everything from
toasters to jet engines. GE has sales of $110 bn-nearly ten times that of
Microsoft and 340,000 employees worldwide. It has seen its profits grow by 15%
a year to $11 bn. GE Capital Services, its financial subsidiary, make up nearly
half its sales. GE produces power generation systems, locomotive, medical
imaging equipment and electrical appliances. It also owns the U.S. television
network NBC and its financial news subsidiary, CNBC, and ironically, a joint venture
with Microsoft to provide news on the Internet.
Microsoft's shares now face a further
period of uncertainty as the company's legal battle continues. It could also
face difficulty in recruiting and retaining employees whose pay has been
boosted by their share options. The Seattle based firm is likely to go to an
appeals court on any rulings. It could suffer further losses from lawsuits
brought by competitors, who would be able to claim triple（三倍）damages for any losses suffered. And with its energy and resources tied
up in the lawsuits, the company may find it difficult to continue to innovate
in the future, or move so aggressively to buy up competitors.
31.Microsoft's shares are devalued
drastically owing to ____.
A) fierce competition from rivals
B) its involvement in a lawsuit（诉讼）
C) the court rulings
D) the decrease in sales volume
32.Cisco Systems' share price has risen
considerably ____.
A) after it has overtaken part of
Microsoft's shares
B) after it has beaten Intel and risen to
the second place
C) since it has gained a firm footing in
the market
D) because it is developing jointly with
Microsoft
33.Which is now the second biggest company
in the United States?
A) General Electric. B) Intel.
C) Cisco Systems.D) GE Capital Services.
34.Which of the following companies is
owned by General Electric and Microsoft together?
A) GE Capital Services.B) NBC.
C) CNBC.D) MSNBC.
35.Why is it difficult for Microsoft to
retain employees?
A)Because it faces an uncertain future.
B)Because it will have problem innovating
itself.
C)Because it will have problem paying them.
D)Because it may be bought up by its
competitors one day.
|