Part II Reading Comprehension Questions 21 to 25 are based on the following passage:
Generation gaps are nothing new. Imperfect communication between age groups plagued the ancient Greeks and current workers alike.
Many an older worker chafes at an under-30 colleague who surfs the Internet, listens to his Sony Walkman and chats on the phone or with his desk mate -- all while working on a project due in an hour.
Sometimes, of course, he isn't working, and that's a whole different issue. But sometimes he is getting lots of great stuff done. In the meantime, the different work styles create a case of "Would you please shut up?" vs. "Lighten up. Get a life."
Marc Prensky, vice president of Bankers Trust and founder of its interactive learning subsidiary, Corporate Gameware, was on point in Across the Board, a publication of the conference Board. The business research organization titled Prensky's article "Twitch Speed," a reference to the fast pace of video game play.
Today's under-30 workers likely grew up in multimedia, technology-rich, twitch-speed environment. Prensky says they simultaneously did homework, watched TV and listened to music; this exposure changed the ways they receive and process information.
Baby boomers and older workers may or may not have done homework by TB, but much else has changed. Sociologists say the over-30s are more likely to want room doors closed. TV off. One thing happening at a time. Quiet, please!
When the two heritages , it pits comfort with speed and "multitasking" against comfort with deliberation and focused concentration.
Sound familiar? If the gap has become a chasm in your workplace, it's time to talk. Both work styles can be productive, but both sides need to make accommodations so the other's productivity isn't impaired.
21. This passage is mainly talking about _____. A. generation gaps B. work styles of different age groups C. lack of mutual understanding between the old and the young D. imperfect communication between old and young worker
22. from the context we may figure out that the word "plagued" (Paragraph 1) means _____. A. annoyed B. infected C. damaged D. affected
23. According to the passage, which of the following is NOT true? A. Older workers often feel annoyed about their young colleagues' attitudes towards work. B. Younger workers always do a good job of their work though they prefer to listen to music or chat with others while working. C. The different work styles may sometimes lead to an unnecessary argument. D. Older workers are used to working in a comfortable and quiet environment so that they can fully concentrate on what they are doing.
24. The author agrees with Marc Prensky on the point that younger workers prefer a "multitasking" style because _____. A. they are smart and energetic B. they have the special ability to perform several tasks at the same time. C. brought up in a special cultural background, they have developed a behavioral pattern different from that of their older colleagues. D. they have been trained to receive and process information in a special way.
25. The author maintains that both sides should _____ if the two different work styles clash headlong. A. be patient and tolerant B. realize that both work styles are productive C. make efforts to avoid doing damage to the other's productivity D. make compromises to bridge the gulf between them
, it pits comfort with speed and "multitasking" against comfort with deliberation and focused concentration.
