In recent years many countries of the world have been faced with the problem of how to make their workers more productive. Some experts claim the answer is to make jobs more varied. But do more varied jobs lead to greater productivity There is evidence to suggest that while variety certainly makes the workers' life more enjoyable, it does not actually make them work harder. As far as increasing productivity is concerned, the variety is not an important factor.
Other experts feel that giving the workers freedom to do their jobs in their own way is important and there is no doubt that this is true. The problem is that this kind of freedom cannot easily be given in the modern factory with its complicated machinery which must be used in a fixed way. Thus while freedom of choice may be important, there is usually very little that can be done to create it. Another important consideration is how much each worker contributes to the product he is making. In most factories bosses are now experimenting with having many small production lines rather than one large one, so that each worker contributes more to the production on his line. It would seem that not only is degree of the worker contribution an important factor, but it is also one we can do something about.
To what extent does more money lead to greater productivity The workers themselves certainly think this important. But perhaps they want more only because the work they do is so boring. Money just lets them enjoy their spare time more. A similar argument may explain demands for shorter working hours. Perhaps if we succeed in making their jobs more interesting, they will neither want more, nor will shorter working hours be so important to them.
- Which of these possible factors leading to greater productivity is NOT true
- To make jobs more varied.
- B. To give the workers freedom to do their jobs in their own way.
- C. Degree of the worker contribution. D. Demands of longer working hours.
- Why do workers want more money
- Because their jobs are too boring. B. In order to enjoy more spare time.
- To make their jobs more interesting. D. To demand shorter working hours.
- The last sentence in this passage means that if we succeed in making workers' jobs more interesting ________.
- they will want more money B. they will demand shorter working hours
- more money and shorter working hours are important factors
- more money and shorter working hours will not be so important to them
- In this passage, the author tells us ________
- how to make the workers more productive
- impossible factors leading to greater efficiency
- to what extent more money leads to greater productivity
- how to make workers' jobs more interesting
核心词汇注释
productive adj．生产性的，生产的，能产的，多产的
expert n．专家，行家；[军](特等)射手
adj．熟练的，内行的，专门的
vt．在……中当行家，当专家
varied adj．杂色的，各式各样的
productivity n．生产力；生产率，生产效率(尤指工业的)
evidence n．明显，显著，明白；迹象，痕迹：根据，[物]证据，证物
complicated adj．复杂的， 难解的
production n．生产，产品， 作品，(研究)成果
contribution n．捐献，贡 献，投稿
boring n．钻(孔) adj．令人厌烦的
argument n．(for, against)争论，辩论，论据，论点，意见
长难句剖析
In recent years many countries of the world have been faced with the problem of how to make their workers more productive．
[结构分析]本句中，in recent years作时间状语，主干是many countries…have been faced with the problem，of短语用来修饰problem，这个短语中of的宾语是特殊疑问词how引导的复合式不定式。
[参考译文]近年来，世界上许多国家都面临着如何提高工人生产效率的问题。
Other experts feel that giving the workers freedom to do their jobs in their own way is important and there is no doubt that this is true．
[结构分析]本句的主干是Other experts feel that…and there is no doubt，谓语动词是feel，后接由that引导的宾语从句。从句中主语是动名词giving…way，is是系动词。
[参考译文]其他专家认为重要的是要给工人自由，让他们以自己的方式工作，这无疑是正确的。
The problem is that this kind of freedom cannot easily be given in the modern factory with its complicated machinery which must be used in a fixed way．
[结构分析]本句的主干是The problem is that，后接由that引导的表语从句。在表语从句中主干是一个普通被动句，with its complicated machinery是后置定语，用来修饰factory。which引导的是个定语从句，用来修饰machinery。
[参考译文]问题是现代工厂有复杂的机器，必须按固定的方法使用，在这样的工厂，提供给工人自由并不容易。
全文参考译文
世界上许多国家近年来都面临着如何提高工人生产效率的问题。有些专家声称，让工作更加富有变化是解决问题的方法。但更富有变化的工作就能产生更高的生产效率吗有证据显示，变化当然可以让工人的生活更加快乐，但并不能使工人们更加努力地工作。就提高生产效率而言，工作变化不是一个重要的因素。
其他一些专家的见解是，重要的是要给工人们自由，让他们以自己的方式工作，这无疑是正确的。问题是现代工厂有复杂的机器，必须按固定的方法使用，在这样的工厂，提供给工人自由并不容易。因此，虽然选择的自由很重要，但通常无法创造这样的自由。另外一个要考虑的重要因素是每个工人可以给他所生产的产品带来多大的贡献。在大多数工厂里，老板尝试使用多条小型生产线而非一整条大型生产线，这样的话每个工人就能为他所负责的生产线上的产品做出更多的贡献。看来工人的劳动强度不仅是一个重要的因素，而且还能做出些文章出来。
要想达到更高的生产效率，工资要提高到什么程度呢工人们当然认为这一点很重要。但有可能他们想要更多的钱只是因为他们非常厌烦所做的工作。钱只会让他们更好地享受闲暇时光。缩短工作时间的要求也可以用这一论点解释。或许如果我们能够让他们的工作更加有趣，他们不仅不会要求更多的薪水，而且缩短工作时间对他们来说也不是那么重要了。
题目答案与解折
1． 以下会产生更高生产效率的因素中，哪一项是错误的 [答案]D
A．使工作细化。 B．给工人们按自己的方式工作的自由。
C．劳动强度。 D．更长工作时间的需求。
[解析]从文中内容可知，D项(延长工作时间)在第三段最后提到，但文中提到的是缩短工作时间，与D项相反，因此D项为正确答案。
2． 为什么工人们想要得到更多的钱 [答案]A
A．因为他们的工作太枯燥。 B．为了享受更多的空闲时间。
C．为了使他们的工作更加有趣。 D．为了要求更短的工作时间。
[解析]本题的依据是第三段的第三句话But perhaps they want more only because the work they do is so boring，因此A项为正确答案。
3． 文中最后一句话的含义是，如果我们成功地使工人的工作更加有趣，________。 [答案]D
A．他们将要更多的钱 B．他们将要求缩短工作时间
C．更多的钱和更少的工作时间都是重要因素
D．更多的钱和更少的工作时间对他们都不那么重要了
[解析]本题的依据句是Perhaps if we succeed in making their jobs more interesting，they will neither want more，nor will shorter working hours be so important to them．从中可知D项为正确答案。短语neither…nor…的意思是“既不……也不……”。
4． 在这篇文章中，作者告诉我们 _________。[答案]A
A．怎样提高工人生产效率 B．造成高生产效率的不可能因素
C．花的钱越多，生产效率越高 D．怎样使工人的工作更加有趣
[解析]综观全文，这是一篇如何使工人更加有效地工作的文章，因此A项为正确答案。B项明显是错误的。而C和D两项仅是文章部分段落的中心思想，不是全文的中心思想。