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Roger Rosenblatt ’s book Black Fiction,in attemptingto apply
literaryratherthansociopolitical criteria to its subject, successfully alters
the approach taken by mostprevious studies. As Rosenblatt notes, criticism of
Black writing has often served as apretextfor expounding on Black
history.Addison Gayle’s recent work, for example, judgesthe value of Black
fiction by overtly political standards, rating each work according tothe notions
of Black identity which it propounds.Although fictionassuredly springs from
politicalcircumstances ，its authors react tothose circumstances in ways other
than ideological, and talking about novels and storiesprimarilyas instrumentsof
ideologycircumvents much of the fictional enterprise.Rosenblatt ’s
literaryanalysisdisclosesaffinitiesand connections among works of Blackfiction
which solely political studies have overlooked or ignored. Writing acceptable
criticism ofBlack fiction, however, presupposes giving satisfactory answers to a
number of questions.First of all, is there a sufficient reason, other than the
facial identity of the authors, to group together works by Black authorsSecond,
how does Black fiction make itself distinct from other modern fiction with which
it islargely contemporaneous Rosenblatt shows that Black fiction constitutes a
distinct bodyof writingthat has an identifiable， coherent
literarytradition.Looking at novels writtenby Black over the last eighty years,
he discovers recurringconcerns and designs independentof chronology. These
structures are thematic, and they spring, not surprisingly, from thecentralfact
that the Black charactersin these novels exist in a predominantlywhite
culture,whether they try to conform to that culture or rebel against it.Black
Fictiondoes leave some aestheticquestions open. Rosenblatt ’s thematic
analysispermits considerable objectivity; he even explicitly states that it is
not his intentionto judge the merit of the various works D yet his reluctance
seems misplaced, especiallysince an attempt to appraise might have led to
interesting results. For instance, some ofthe novels appear to be
structurallydiffuse.Is this a defect,or are the authors workingout of, or trying
to forge, a different kind of aesthetic In addition, the style of someBlack
novels, like JeanToomey’s Cane, verges on expressionism or surrealism; does
thistechnique provide a counterpointto the prevalenttheme that portrays the fate
against whichBlack heroes are pitted,a theme usuallyconveyed by more
naturalisticmodes of expressionIn spite of such omissions, what Rosenblatt does
include in his discussion makes foran astute and worthwhile study. Black Fiction
surveys a wide variety of novels, bringingto our attention in the process some
fascinating and little-known works like James WeldonJohnson’s Autobiography of
an Ex-Colored Man. Its argument is tightly constructed, andits forthright, lucid
style exemplifies levelheaded and penetrating criticism.
1. The author of the text is primarily concerned with __________.
[A] Evaluating the soundness of a work of criticism.[B] Comparing various
critical approaches to a subject.
[C] Discussing the limitations of a particular kind of criticism.
[D] Summarizing the major points made in a work of criticism.
2. The author of the text believes that Black Fiction would have been
improved hadRosenblatt __________.
[A] Evaluated more carefully the ideological andhistoricalaspects of Black
fiction.
[B] Attempted to be more objective in his approach to novels and stories by
Blackauthors.
[C] Explorein greaterdetailthe recurrentthematicconcerns of Black
fictionthroughout its history.
[D] Assessed the relative literary merit of the novels he analyzes
thematically.
3.author ’s discussion of Black Fiction can be best described as
__________.
[A] Pedantic and contentious.
[B] Critical but admiring.
[C] Ironic and deprecating.
[D] Argumentative but unfocused.author of the text employs all of the
following in the discussion ofRosenblatt ’s
4.book EXCEPT： __________.
[A] Rhetorical questions.
[B] Specific examples.
[C] Comparison and contrast.
[D] Definition of terms.
5. The author of the text refers to James WeldonJohnson’s Autobiography of
anEx-Colored Man most probably in order to __________.
[A] point out affinitiesbetween Rosenblatt ’s method of thematic analysis and
earliercriticism.
[B] Clarify the point about expressionistic style made earlier in the
passage.
[C] Qualify the assessment ofRosenblatt ’s book made in the first paragraph
of thepassage.
[D] give a specific example of one of the accomplishments ofRosenblatt ’s
work.
Passage 4
Questions 16 to 20 are based on the following passage:
Successful innovations have driven many older technologies to extinction and
have resulted in higher productivity, greater consumption of energy, increased
demand of raw materials, accelerated flow of materials through the economy and
increased quantities of metals and other substances in use each person. The
history of industrial development abounds with examples.
In 1870, horses and mules were the prime source of power on U.S. farms. One
horse or mule was required to support four human beings a ratio that remained
almost constant for many decades. At that time, had a national commission been
asked to forecast the population for 1970, its answer probably would have
depended on whether its consultants were of an economic or technological turn of
mind. Had they been “economists”, they would probably have projected the 1970
horses or mule population to be more than 50 million. Had they been
“technologists”, they would have recognized that the power of steam had already
been harnessed to industry and to learn and ocean transport. They would have
recognized further that it would be the prime source of power on the farm. It
would have been difficult for them to avoid the conclusion that the horse and
mule population would decline rapidly.
16. According to the passage, what supplied most of the power on U.S. farms
in 1870?
A. Animals B. Humans C. Engines D. Water
17. Which of the following is NOT mentioned by the author as a consequence of
new technological developments?
A. Older technologies die away.
B. The quality of life is Improved.
C. Overall productivity increase.
D. More raw materials become necessary.
18. It can be inferred from the passage that by 1870 .
A. technology began to be more economical
B. the steam engine had been invented
C. the U.S. horse population was about 10 million
D. a national commission was about 10 million
19. In the second paragraph, the author suggests that “economists” would
.
A. plan the economy through yearly forecasts
B. fail to consider the influence of technological innovation
C. value the economic contribution of farm animals
D. consult the national commission on the economy
20. What is the author’s attitude toward changes brought on by technological
innovations?
A. He is excited about them.
B. He accept them as natural.
C. He is disturbed by them.
D. He questions their usefulness.
Trouble with Teamwork
Mary Owen examines the role and efficiency of teams
Recruiters say that candidates who can give examples ofwork they have done as
members of a successful team are in asstrong a position as those who can point
to significant individualachievement. Indeed, too much of the latter may suggest
thatthe person concerned is not a 'team player' - one of the moreserious
failings in the book of management.
The importance of being a team player is a side effect of the increasing
interaction acrossdepartments and functional divides. Instead of pushing
reports, paperwork and decisions aroundthe organisation, 'teams provide a
dynamic meeting place where ideas can be shared and expertisemore carefully
targeted at important business issues,' says Steve Gardner, in his book
KeyManagement Concepts. He adds, 'Globalisation has added a further dimension to
teamwork.Multinational teams now study policy decisions in the light of their
impact on the local market.'
But is teamworking being overdone? 'Some managers are on as many as seven or
eightdifferent teams', says Dr Cathy Bandy, a psychologist who recently ran a
conference on thesubject. 'They take up so much time that managers can't get on
with core tasks.' Forming teamsand having meetings has, she says, become an end
in itself, almost regardless of purpose. There isalso the danger of an unhealthy
desire to keep the team going after the work has been done. 'People feel the
need to belong, and team membership can provide a kind of
psychologicalsupport.'
The idea behind teamworking is that, when the right group of people is
brought together, a'force' develops which is greater than the sum of their
individual talents. This is often true in sport,where good players can reach
unexpected heights as members of an international team.However,few business
situations have as clear a set of objectives, or as clear criteria of success
orfailure, as winning a match.
'In business, everyone needs to be clear about what the challenge is and
whether a team isthe right way of approaching it', says Steve Gardner.
'Unfortunately, people focus instead on whothe members of the team should be and
what roles they are to play' Dr Bandy agrees. 'There isalways a danger that
teams can turn into committees,' she says. 'In a lot of situations, one or
twoindividuals would be much more effective.'
So what makes a successful team? There are some general qualities that have
been identified.Steve Gardnerrecommends that in every team there should be
someone who is good atresearching ideas and another who is good at shooting down
impractical ones. There should bethose who can resolve the tensions that
naturally occur in a team and others who are focused ongetting the job done.
Also, providing a clear and achievable target at the outset is the best way
ofensuring that the team will move on to greater things.
13、 What point does the writer make about teamworking at the beginning of the
article?
A It is the most successful form of management.
B It has changed the recruitment procedure in companies.
C Well-run teams still allow individuals to demonstrate their talents.
D Being a team player is now considered an essential management skill.
14 、According to the article, teamwork developed within companies as a
response to
A modern office design.
B changing work practices.
C a reduction in administrative tasks.
D the expansion of international business.
15 、In the third paragraph, Dr Bandy suggests that
A many employees do not enjoy working in teams.
B some managers are not very effective team leaders.
C some teams are created unnecessarily.
D few teams are well organised.
16 、According to the writer, teamwork is more effective in the field of sport
because the players
A know what they want to achieve.
B are more competitive by nature.
C have more individual talent.
D can be driven by national pride.
17 、Steve Gardner and Dr Bandy agree that when a business team is created
people do notpay enough attention to
A the structure of the team.
B alternatives to the team.
C selecting the team members.
D directing the team's activities.
18、 What is Steve Gardner's advice on operating a successful team?
A Maintain a flexible approach to membership.
B Allow personalities to develop within the team.
C Select people who fit naturally into certain roles.
D Make every effort to avoid conflict between members.
