Passage 4
Without most people realizing it, there has been a revolution in office work over the last ten years. Before that time, large computers were only used by large, rich companies that could afford the investment. With the advancement of technology, small computers have come onto the market which are capable of doing the work which used to be done by much larger and more expensive computers, so now most smaller companies can use them.
The main development in small computers has been in the field of word processors, or WP's as they are often called. 40% of British offices are now estimated to have a word processor for both secretary and manager. The secretary is freed from a lot of routine work, such as re-typing letters and storing papers. He or she can use this time to do other more interesting work for the boss. From a manager's point of view, secretarial time is being made better use of and money can be saved by doing routine jobs automatically outside office hours.
But is it all good? If a lot of routine secretarial work can be done automati¬cally , surely this will mean that fewer secretaries will be needed. Another worry is the increasing medical problems related to work with visual display units. The case of a slow loss of sight among people using word processors seems to have risen greatly. It is also feared that if a woman works at a VDU for long hours, the unborn child in her body might be killed. Safety screens to put over a VDU have been invented but few companies in England bother to buy them.
Whatever the arguments for or against word processors, they are a key feature of this revolution in office practice.
26. Ten years ago, smaller companies did not use large computers because_______.
A. these companies had not enough money to buy such expensive computers
B. these computers could not do the work that small computers can do today
C. these computers did not come onto the market
D. these companies did not need to use this new technology
27. According to the writer, the main feature of the revolution in office work over the last ten years is_______.
A. the saving of time and money B. the use of computers in small companies
C. the wide use of word processors D. the decreasing number of secretaries
28. It is implied but NOT directly stated in the passage that with the use of word processors _______.
A. some secretaries will lose their jobs
B. routine jobs can be done automatically outside office hours
C. medical problems related to work with a VDU have increased
D. using word processors, secretaries can get more time to do more interesting work for their bosses
29. Which of the following statements is NOT true?
A. There are both advantages and disadvantages in using a word processor.
B. The British companies care much for the health of the people using word processors.
C. The technology in the field of computers has been greatly advanced over the last ten years.
D. Using world processors, secretaries can get more time to do more interesting work for their bosses.
30. It can concluded from the passage that_______.
A. safety screens are of poor quality
B. working at a VDU for a long time is good for one's health
C. more and more British offices will use word processors
D. British companies will need fewer and fewer managers
II. I 12. A 13. G 14. J 15. M 16. E 17. L 18. K 19. B 20. H 21. C 22. D 23. C 24. D 25. C 26. A 27. C 28. A 29. B 30. C
