Before Hugo, many new houses built along South Carolina’s shoreline were poorly constructed, and enforcement of building codes wasn’t strict, according to architect Ray Huff, who created the cleverly-designed beach house. In Hugo’s wake, all new shoreline houses are required to meet stricter, better-enforced codes. The new beach house on Sullivan’s Island should be able to withstand a Category 3 hurricane with peak winds of 179 to 209 kilometers per hour.

　　At first sight, the house on Sullivan’s Island looks anything but hurricane-proof. Its redwood shell makes it resemble “a large party lantern (燈籠)” at night, according to one observer. But looks can be deceiving. The house’s wooden frame is reinforced with long

　　steel rods to give it extra strength.

　　To further protect the house from hurricane damage, Huff raised it 2.7 meters off the ground on timber pilings—long, slender columns of wood anchored deep in the sand. Pilings might appear insecure, but they are strong enough to support the weight of the house. They also elevate the house above storm surges. The pilings allow the surges to run under the house instead of running into it. “These swells of water come ashore at tremendous speeds and cause most of the damage done to beach-front buildings,” said Huff.

　　Huff designed the timber pilings to be partially concealed by the house’s ground-to-roof shell. “The shell masks the pilings so that the house doesn’t look like it’s standing with its pant legs pulled up,” said Huff. In the event of a storm surge, the shell should break apart and let the waves rush under the house, the architect explained.

　　36. After the tragedy caused by Hurricane Hugo, new houses built along South Carolina’s shore line are required ________.

　　A) to be easily reinforced

　　B) to look smarter in design

　　C) to meet stricter building standards

　　D) to be designed in the shape of cubes

　　37. The award-winning beach house is quite strong because ________.

　　A) it is strengthened by steel rods

　　B) it is made of redwood

　　C) it is in the shape of a shell

　　D) it is built with timber and concrete

　　38. Huff raised the house 2.7 meters off the ground on timber pilings in order to ________.

　　A) withstand peak winds of about 200 km/hr

　　B) anchor stronger pilings deep in the sand

　　C) break huge sea waves into smaller ones

　　D) prevent water from rushing into the house

　　39. The main function of the shell is ________.

　　A) to strengthen the pilings of the house

　　B) to give the house a better appearance

　　C) to protect the wooden frame of the house

　　D) to slow down the speed of the swelling water

　　40. It can be inferred from the passage that the shell should be ________.

　　A) fancy-looking

　　B) waterproofwww.

　　C) easily breakable

　　D) extremely strong

　　36. C 37. A 38. D 39.B 40. C

　　A is for always getting to work on time.

　　B is for being extremely busy.

　　C is for the conscientious (勤勤懇懇的) way you do your job.

　　You may be all these things at the office, and more. But when it comes to getting ahead, experts say, the ABCs of business should include a P, for politics, as in office politics.

　　Dale Carnegie suggested as much more than 50 years ago: Hard work alone doesn’t ensure career advancement. You have to be able to sell yourself and your ideas, both publicly and behind the scenes. Yet, despite the obvious rewards of engaging in office politics—a better job, a raise, praise—many people are still unable—or unwilling—to “play the game.”

　　“People assume that office politics involves some manipulative (工于心計的) behavior,” says Deborah Comer, an assistant professor of management at Hofstra University. “But politics derives from the word ‘polite’. It can mean lobbying and forming associations. It can mean being kind and helpful, or even trying to please your superior, and then expecting something in return.”

　　In fact, today, experts define office politics as proper behavior used to pursue one’s own self-interest in the workplace. In many cases, this involves some form Of Socializing within the office environment—not just in large companies, but in small workplaces as well.

　　“The first thing people are usually judged on is their ability to perform well on a consistent basis,’” says Neil P Lewis, a management psychologist. “But if two or three candidates are up for a promotion, each of whom has reasonably similar ability, a manager is going to promote the person he or she likes best. It’s simple human nature.”

　　Yet, psychologists say, many employees and employers have trouble with the concept of politics in the office. Some people, they say, have an idealistic vision of work and what it takes to succeed. Still others associate politics with flattery (奉承), fearful that, if they speak up for themselves, they may appear to be flattering their boss for favors.

　　Experts suggest altering this negative picture by recognizing the need for some self-promotion.

　　11. “Office politics” (Line 2, Para. 4) is used in the passage to refer to ________.

　　A) the code of behavior for company staff

　　B) the political views and beliefs of office workers

　　C) the interpersonal relationships within a company

　　D) the various qualities required for a successful career

　　12. To get promoted, one must not only be competent but ________.

　　A) give his boss a good impression

　　B) honest and loyal to his company

　　C) get along well with his colleagues

　　D) avoid being too outstanding

　　13. Why are many people unwilling to “play the game” (Line 4, Para. 5)?

　　A) They believe that doing so is impractical.

　　B) They feel that such behavior is unprincipled.

　　C) They are not good at manipulating colleagues.

　　D) They think the effort will get them nowhere.

　　14. The author considers office politics to be ________.

　　A) unwelcome at the workplace

　　B) bad for interpersonal relationships

　　C) indispensable to the development of company culture

　　D) an important factor for personal advancement

　　15. It is the author’s view that ________.

　　A) speaking up for oneself is part of human nature

　　B) self-promotion does not necessarily mean flattery

　　C) hard work contributes very little to one’s promotion

　　D) many employees fail to recognize the need of flattery

　　11. C 12. A 13. B 14.D 15. B