Section Ⅲ Reading Comprehension
Part A
Directions: Read the following three texts. Answer the questions on each text by choosing A, B,C or D. Mark your answers on ANSWER SHEET 1.
Text 1
A former town hall worker made legal history last week when she was awarded 67,000 pounds for stress brought on by her work. The ruling made Beverley Lancaster the first person to get their employer to accept legal responsibility for stress-related personal injury in a British court. It is likely to start a flood of other worker’s claims; Mrs. Lancaster’s union already has 7,000 stress-related cases on its books.
The 44-year-old mother of two started a legal case against Birmingham City Council after falling ill while working as a troubleshooter in a neighborhood housing office. Dealing with rude and abusive members of the public pushed her into periods of gloom and she suffered anxiety, Birmingham county court heard. Mrs. Lancaster joined the council at 16, working her way up from junior clerk to senior draughtswoman. Her problems began when she was promoted to housing officer in Sutton Oldfield. "With no continuity, a constant high workload and little clerical support, I found it difficult to switch from one problem or situation to another," she said. "My concentration swung and I suffered sleepless nights. It made me feel like I was in a hole with no key to open the door. I would break down in tears. I was being in paperwork and at times my mind would just go blank."
In awarding compensation of 67,491 pounds, assistant recorder Frances Kirkham said she understood the position of troubleshooter was very different from Mrs. Lancaster’s precious job. She rejected claims from the council that Mrs. Lancaster would be able to go back to her former profession, saying she accepted that the possibility of future work would be less capacity.
After the hearing Mrs. Lancaster said she was relieved and pleased. She added, "I hope this will act as a warning to employers. Everything I did was right. The council made promises to me and they failed me. I felt isolated, let down, that I was not good enough, not wanted." The payout, the first of its kind to be decided in a county court, covers loss of wages and future loss of earnings.
A spokesman for Birmingham City Council said action had been taken by the authority to review its staff and management procedures.
46.Mrs. Beverley Lancaster was awarded 67,000 pounds for ______.
A.illness caused by her job
B.her successful and good luck
C.the courage she showed in court
D.the amount of work she did
47.Mrs. Beverley Lancaster took legal action against the city council because ______.
A.it refused to award her for her job
B.she had to deal with rude members of the council
C.it was responsible for her problems
D.it denied her any clerical support
48.The Lancaster case shows that employees have the right to get compensation if they ______.
A.are given work that they are unable to do
B.suffer mental injury caused by their work
C.are forced to do work that they don’t like
D.feel isolated, let down and extremely anxious
49.It can be inferred that ______.
A.Mr Lancaster will find a better paid job in the future
B.the job of draughtswoman is very demanding
C.the court may hear more stress-related cases
D.the job of housing officer causes mental injuries
50.If Birmingham City Gouncil plans to move an employee to a new job, it will definitely make sure that ______.
A.there is continuity between the two jobs
B.no complaints from the employee occur
C.the amount of work is reduced for the new job
D.the employee is prepared for any mental problems
Part A
Directions: Read the following three texts. Answer the questions on each text by choosing A, B,C or D. Mark your answers on ANSWER SHEET 1.
Text 1
A former town hall worker made legal history last week when she was awarded 67,000 pounds for stress brought on by her work. The ruling made Beverley Lancaster the first person to get their employer to accept legal responsibility for stress-related personal injury in a British court. It is likely to start a flood of other worker’s claims; Mrs. Lancaster’s union already has 7,000 stress-related cases on its books.
The 44-year-old mother of two started a legal case against Birmingham City Council after falling ill while working as a troubleshooter in a neighborhood housing office. Dealing with rude and abusive members of the public pushed her into periods of gloom and she suffered anxiety, Birmingham county court heard. Mrs. Lancaster joined the council at 16, working her way up from junior clerk to senior draughtswoman. Her problems began when she was promoted to housing officer in Sutton Oldfield. "With no continuity, a constant high workload and little clerical support, I found it difficult to switch from one problem or situation to another," she said. "My concentration swung and I suffered sleepless nights. It made me feel like I was in a hole with no key to open the door. I would break down in tears. I was being in paperwork and at times my mind would just go blank."
In awarding compensation of 67,491 pounds, assistant recorder Frances Kirkham said she understood the position of troubleshooter was very different from Mrs. Lancaster’s precious job. She rejected claims from the council that Mrs. Lancaster would be able to go back to her former profession, saying she accepted that the possibility of future work would be less capacity.
After the hearing Mrs. Lancaster said she was relieved and pleased. She added, "I hope this will act as a warning to employers. Everything I did was right. The council made promises to me and they failed me. I felt isolated, let down, that I was not good enough, not wanted." The payout, the first of its kind to be decided in a county court, covers loss of wages and future loss of earnings.
A spokesman for Birmingham City Council said action had been taken by the authority to review its staff and management procedures.
46.Mrs. Beverley Lancaster was awarded 67,000 pounds for ______.
A.illness caused by her job
B.her successful and good luck
C.the courage she showed in court
D.the amount of work she did
47.Mrs. Beverley Lancaster took legal action against the city council because ______.
A.it refused to award her for her job
B.she had to deal with rude members of the council
C.it was responsible for her problems
D.it denied her any clerical support
48.The Lancaster case shows that employees have the right to get compensation if they ______.
A.are given work that they are unable to do
B.suffer mental injury caused by their work
C.are forced to do work that they don’t like
D.feel isolated, let down and extremely anxious
49.It can be inferred that ______.
A.Mr Lancaster will find a better paid job in the future
B.the job of draughtswoman is very demanding
C.the court may hear more stress-related cases
D.the job of housing officer causes mental injuries
50.If Birmingham City Gouncil plans to move an employee to a new job, it will definitely make sure that ______.
A.there is continuity between the two jobs
B.no complaints from the employee occur
C.the amount of work is reduced for the new job
D.the employee is prepared for any mental problems
