第一篇：关于bec中级的最新超详细经验介绍

关于bec中级的最新超详细经验介绍

crystal

总述：

我是2006年12月考的bec中级，没有报考任何辅导班，复习时间大概是两个多月，实质上是两个月不到。（中途花了十几天准备江苏省的vfp，呵呵，结果是没考上）。可能我以下的做法有点突击的性质，但是如今的大学考试似乎培养的更多的就是这方面的能力。如今回望，即使是两个月听说读写的突击，也感觉英语的确有了一些上档次的进步。

选择bec：

9月份开学的时候知道自己的六级成绩是466，虽然这成绩不能入眼，但是我还是没有选择重考。当时我的几个舍友已经进入上海中级口译的口试阶段，并且天天在宿舍宣扬这个证书有多么多么的好。当时的我也是一阵头脑发热要考个证书，但觉得中口要分两阶段，而且要背很多无聊的东西，所以最后还是选定了bec，其实现在想想，这些证书对将来找工作几乎没有多大的用处，（在这里只是阐述事实，没有想让大家放弃的意思），考场上坐我旁边的一大四学姐跟我讲，现在用人单位并不看你这些可有可无的证书，尽管有些是我们花了很多时间和精力获得的，他们在乎的只有两样：第一就是你的毕业学校，如果你不具备这个条件，那就看你的能力，而这个能力并不体现在你拿了多少证书，比如英语，你是不是可以相对流畅地用英语和用人单位交流等等，当然那些找关系之类的就此不谈。

鉴于此，在英语能力的培养上，bec相对于其他证书有几个比较大的优势：第一，它的报名费以及辅导材料价格不菲(至少我是这么认为的，尽管没有上辅导班，也花了六百多)，这是支持我坚持下去的一个很大的原因，如果你不在乎这些钱，那么第二，bec考察的是听说读写四个方面的水平，尽管里面有一些技巧的成分，但是相信在你全力以赴的几个月中，四方面同时跟进，你的英语水平一定会有一个实质性的进展，而这种进展的速度是你在通过四六级中所不能感受到的。总之，既然选择了，就不要再瞻前顾后，你所需要的只是一颗踏踏实实向目标迈进的心。

关于是否报班：

因为我学校在南京，所以还是有诸如新东方之类的辅导班，价格跟报名费之类的相比还是能够接受的，而且好像还是包过，不过免费再学，具体我也记不清了，同时我报名的南师大也有辅导班，据说是辅导老师是那些口试的考官，报名费比外面的辅导班还便宜。

当时在规定时间的前一天报完名，才认认真真的上网看需要哪些书什么的，（注：由于网上很多信息过于陈旧，所以大家要睁大眼睛，当时想知道具体带什么去报名时，我按照网上的号码打到南师大大概不下几十遍，就是没人接，后来我一南京同学告诉我南京电话号码哪八辈子就升到八位了，可是网上的就是七位。无语!）

另外，报名的时候要记得带两张两寸的照片，还有报名费。

言归正传，网上一直在说bec中级介于四六级之中，考后来看，除了单词量相对比较少，其他部分并不见得比六级简单，而且这里面的很多题型还需要我们慢慢适应。由于我学校离市区太远，去个辅导班要转三趟车还到不了。尽管离考试只有两个多月，中途我还要考vfp，但是最终还是选择了自学。

在这里，我想提醒想自学的并且想在很短的时间里通过的人：你们要做好全力以赴的准备，并且利用好各种资源：网络，图书馆，同学，等等。自学考上是很有可能的，相对于那些报班的人，自学缺少的可能更多的是在真题的收集上，作文模式的整理上，口语的套路上，这

些工作可能需要你自己去做，当然你可以去求助于各种资源渠道。

关于复习资料：

其实市面上关于bec的东西不多，有价值的资料更是寥寥无几。我没有买什么单词书，一是觉得没有必要，二是觉得买了我也不会看的。那本经科版的教材的确很不错，最好再买个同步辅导，教师用书就没有什么必要了，磁带也很重要。还有比较有价值的就是真题了，我能买到的就只有四套外带听力cd，而且都不知道是何年月的，满可悲的。另外就是网上的一些资料，一些套句什么的，作文的，口语的。再者，就是一些模拟题，一堆增强自信心的工具，无法和真题相比。

关于复习过程：

由于时间比较紧凑，而且这之中我几乎没有翘过课，所以我的时间都集中在晚自习和周末等一些零零碎碎的时间。以下只是我的大致复习进程，可能并不适合每个人：十二天过完教材，两套题目和听力先预留着后面做，这之中每天都会早起读课文，并选择有价值的背诵，对特定的话题能够说上几句等等。很无聊的课上可以拿出来用，这些要各位自己权衡。之后，可以分块复习，在不断地练习中找到自己的弱项并且花时间来弥补，听说读写都不可废。这期间也要做好各种整理工作，并且自己也要及时消化，灵活运用。这部分要好好坚持，资料如果不多，要找相近的代替以提高这方面的能力。在此要各位根据自己的情况自己决定了。其次，就是整套的做真题了，多做几遍，发现实际问题所在，在最后的过程中能改进则改进，来不及的也要保持好心态。

在这里，我想提个口语parter的问题，当时网上盛传没有事先约好的parter很吃亏，当时我也是满怕的，虽然我们系也有另外三个人在考，但是直到考前我们一句英文都没讲过，准备所谓的临场发挥，而且谁也不知道南京考场的parter怎么分。所以之前我都是一个人自言自语的按套话说一些东西，口语的第三部分也没有准备过，只是训练自己在看到这部分题目时可以有话说。事实上是在南师大考场根本不存在事先找的优势。口语的具体流程是：先是按准考证上所要求的教室（教室是按名字的先后顺序排的，比如一号教室是姓安的到姓陈的，二号教室是姓陈的到姓方的，等等）一个教室四十个人左右，随便坐。接着有两个老师上来点号配对，是这个教室的一头一尾配，逐渐向中间逼近，碰到缺考的跳过，所以想认识的碰到一块的几率几乎为0。当然，这只是南京考场的情况，其他地区就不知道了。

关于考试的流程：

这里我想提几个比较有意义的细节大家需要注意的，可能有的适用于南京地区：

1． 关于听力的设备南师大考场都帮你准备好了，数码收音机，耳机，电池，好像没用过(可能那么多报名费一部分用在这上面了，我猜的)。不过如果觉得不放心可以带上你自己准备的。

2． 要事先记好成绩单要寄往的地区和邮编，因为开考前监考老师会让你填一张信封，我当时慌慌张张的，填了一个我可能永远都收不到地址，另外，邮编也要记得。

3． 要合理利用时间，就要带好手表。我到发卷的时候才发现自己忘带手表了，急得我当场想哭，结果坐我旁边学姐安慰我说：墙上有个钟呢！还好是准的，我同学说她考场钟不准。呵，大家要做好准备阿，不是每个学校墙上都有个钟的。

4． 要想上厕所，一定要快。我当时因为先去把东西放在考场，结果等我去的时候，排了二 十分钟的队。等我再去考场的时候，离开考只有五分钟，还要填信封，调收音机，听指令。这些问题不知道是不是个别现象，但是这绝对影响你的发挥。因为开考的时候，居然还有一

大帮人在排队，硬是被监考老师拉了回来。因为上午三部分每考完一部分会有一些时间喘口气，在作文收卷后可以去厕所，一定要快！！

5． 上午笔试部分考完差不多十二点，当时我东摸摸西摸摸的已经是十二点十五了，而我下午场考试时间是一点，所以我要说的是如果你口试时间比较靠前，那就不要和别人一起挤麦当劳了，自己随便带点什么算了。当时要不是我那几个同学已经占好位子，大概当我拿到巨无霸的时候，已经开考场的大门了。

6． 不管你上午考得感觉有多么的差，都要坚持下午的口试，既然已经来了，就当为下次做好准备吧。虽然我一厢地以为报名费很贵，不会有几个人缺考，但事实证明我错了。到了下午口试点名的时候，缺考的人就更多了。或许这个和考研一样吧，往往胜利的就是那些坚持到最后的人。我中午和同学坐下来谈到上午考试的时候，听到了一个令我及为崩溃的消息：她们说在快要交卷的时候，她们考场一同学举手问监考老师，改错后面的0和1的小空是什么意思。她们监考老师说：“你们这个都不知道啊，正确的涂0，错误的涂1，不涂的话，机器读不出来的”然后，就在最后几分钟里，她们那个考场的人都忙开了。当时听到她们的这话以及那坚定不移的眼神，我硬是没让嘴里的东西吐出来，我感觉我这两个月算是白忙了，阅读部分感觉就改错最不错了，居然会是这种下场。当时就想带上东西回学校，反正下午的口试已经没有任何意义。但是还是对她们监考老师的话产生很大的疑问，如此重要的细节，为什么没有在网上或者是其他辅导书上看到过，听力的0和1 她们也没有填，或者还有别的可能，还是去考考看吧，我不知道当时是怀着怎样的心情完成我的午餐的，然后又和她们奔赶到考场，离一点还有五分钟。

当时看到很多人在门外看着口试的准备材料，而我是一点心情都没有，满脑子的都是那个0和1，我开始抱怨我们考场的监考老师怎么那么不负责任，这么重要的事项都没有提醒我们。我不怕自己不过，但是我怕是因为答题卡填错或是来不急填答题卡这种低级错误而不过，于是，我开始有些神经质的逢人就问，结果问了四个，三个和我一样，还有一个和她们一个考场的。当时我心里算是有些平衡，就算死还有那么多盟友。况且，如果我其他做得还不错，说不定能把分数带上来，所以，口试的时候，即使好几句都没听懂那女老师问的什么，但是我仍旧微笑着说了一大堆自己都不知所云的商务英语，说得斩钉截铁，信誓旦旦。

注：后来我问了很多人，包括上了辅导班的人，她们都没有听说过这回事，网上的回答和我以及大多数人猜的一样，那只是机器给填我们答的对错与否的，同样在听力部分也有这种0和1。至于那个监考老师的说法，到现在都没有正确的回应。

7． 关于口语和parter的配合，一定要充分利用老师配好对后所给的交流时间，可能我遇 的又是一个比较好的学姐，两个人在口语配合方面比较好，至少我觉得不错。另外，我的口语考官也挺和蔼的。虽然我都不知道自己在讲什么，她都微笑地看着我。呵呵。我parter的放松也传染给了我，只是感觉口试怎么就这么快就结束了。

后来我同学跟我讲了她的parter，就差没用英语吵起来。两个人在第二部分问答的时候，我同学根本没听她在讲什么，就瞄了她问题中的一个提示，说了一个很简单的问题。结果那女生回了一句：“I did’t mention the second point ”我同学当事愣了一下，又把问题重复了一遍，那女生同样以上一句回。我同学说她当时有些收不住，如果重提个问题，第一来不及想，第二明摆了她没听parter 的阐述。所以，她回了一句:”yes,I know ,but I just want to ask you this question ”结果两个人就干瞪着被考官拉到第三部分，最终的成绩可想而知。

以上是我对bec中级的一点感触，在大家关心的细节方面应该算是比较详尽的了。本来想乘热打铁，一鼓作气考完bec高级的，虽然书也买了，无奈我必须全心全意准备我的金融考研了。Bec高级，等考上我理想的学校后再战吧。考研，一旦错过了，就很难再追回了。所以，加油咯，所有为了希望而努力打拼的人！！CRYSTAL 2007-02-25

附带此诗与君共勉：

Robert Frost: The Road Not Taken 弗罗斯特《林中路》

Two roads perged in a yellow wood,And sorry I could not travel bothAnd be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I couldTo where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,And having perhaps the better claim,Because it was grassy and wanted wear;Though as for that the passing thereHad worn them really about the same,And both that morning equally layIn leaves no step had trodden black.Oh, I kept the first for another day!Yet knowing how way leads on to way,I doubted if I should ever come back.I shall be telling this with a sighSomewhere ages and ages hence:Two roads perged in a wood, and I--I took the one less traveled by,And that has made all the difference.森林叶黄，林中岔道各奔一方我一人独行，无限惆怅

不能把两条路同时造访

良久伫立，我朝第一条路眺望路转处惟见林深草长

我再把另一条路探望

一样美丽，一样坦荡

但或许更令人向往

虽然两条路都曾有行人过往但这条路芳草萋萋，更少人踏荒

那天早晨落叶满道上落叶上尚无脚踩的痕伤

阿，且将第一条路留待他日寻访明知道路穷处又是路重游此地怕是痴想

那以后岁月流逝，日久天长有一天长叹一声我要诉讲林中两条岔道彷徨

我选择了行人更少的一条路从此决定了我一生的道路

第二篇：BEC中级真题详细解析

BEC中级真题详细解析：第二辑TEST 1 PART 1 Coaching the contact between coach and employee not solving all difficulties at work 2 the discussion of how certain situations could be better handled if they occur again 3 a coach encouraging an employee to apply what has been taught to routine work situations 4 coaching providing new interest to inpiduals who are unhappy in their current positions 5 coaching providing a supportive environment to discuss performance 6 employees being asked to analyse themselves and practise greater self-awareness coaching enabling a company to respond rapidly to a lack of expertise in a certain area Coaching A Coaching involves two or more people sitting down together to talk through issues that have come up recently at work, and analysing how they were managed and how they might be dealt with more effectively on subsequent occasions.Coaching thus transfers skills and information from one person to another in an on-the-job situation so that the work experience of the coach is used to advise and guide the inpidual being coached.It also allows successes and failures to be evaluated in a non-threatening atmosphere.B Coaching means influencing the learner's personal development, for example his or her confidence and ambition.It can take place any time during an inpidual's career.Coaching is intended to assist inpiduals to function more effectively, and it is a powerful learning model.It begins where skills-based training ends, and helps inpiduals to use formally learnt knowledge in day-to-day work and management situations.Inpiduals being coached are in a demanding situation with their coach, which requires them to consider their own behaviour and question their reasons for doing things.C The coach professionally assists the career development of another inpidual, outside the normal manager/subordinate relationship.In theory, the coaching relationship should provide answers to every problem, but in practice it falls short of this.However, it can provide a space for discussion and feedback on topics such as people management and skills, behaviour patterns, confidence-building and time management.Through coaching, an organisation can meet skills shortages, discuss targets and indicate how employees should deal with challenging situations, all at short notice.D Effective coaches are usually those who get satisfaction from the success of others and who give time to the coaching role.Giving people coaching responsibilities can support their development, either by encouraging management potential through small-scale one-to-one assignments, or by providing added job satisfaction to managers who feel they are stuck in their present jobs.A coach is also a confidential adviser, accustomed to developing positive and effective approaches to complex management, organisational and change problems.这篇文章讲的是培训（coaching）的作用。培训对一个公司的发展和员工的成长都是至关重要的。文章的内容比较泛，但是题目的答案比较明显。

第一题，教练和员工之间的接触不能解决工作中的所有困难。答案是C段的这么一句：In theory, the coaching relationship should provide answers to every problem, but in practice it falls short of this.理论上，培训可以提供所有问题的答案。但是实践中达不到这样。Fall short of是关键词。

第二题，讨论某些情况如果再度出现的话怎么样可以处理的更好。答案是A段的这么一句：analysing how they were managed and how they might be dealt with more effectively on subsequent occasions.分析应该如何进行处理并且在接下来的情况下怎样可以处理的更有效。这里的dealt with more effectively对应于题干中的better handled，on subsequent occasions.也就是occur again。

第三题，教练鼓励员工将所学应用到日常的工作中。答案是B段的这么一句：helps inpiduals to use formally learnt knowledge in day-to-day work and management situations.帮助个人将学到的正式知识用在日常工作和管理情况下。这里的day-to-day work and management situations就是题干中的routine work situations，what has been taught也就是formally learnt knowledge。

第四题，培训为在现有岗位上不高兴的个人提供了新的兴趣。答案是D段的这么一句：providing added job satisfaction to managers who feel they are stuck in their present jobs。对感觉自己在现有岗位上受困的经理们提供附加的工作满足感。这里的stuck in their present jobs就是题干中的unhappy in their current position，added job satisfaction可以对应于题干中的new interest。

第五题，培训提供了一个有力的、支持性的讨论工作表现的环境。答案是A段的：It also allows successes and failures to be evaluated in a non-threatening atmosphere.它允许成功和失败在一个没有威胁的气氛下被评估。成功和失败也就是performance，supportive environment可以对应于non-threatening atmosphere。

第六题，员工被要求分析他们自己并且培养出更强的自知。有必要理解下self-awareness的含义，不能简单的从中文理解成自我意识，看英文解释：knowledge and understanding of yourself。所以答案是B段的这么一句：requires them to consider their own behaviour and question their reasons for doing things.要求他们考虑自己的行为并且思考这么做的理由。consider their own behaviour可以对应于题干中的analyse themselves，思考这么做的理由也是为了进一步增进对自己的认识。

第七题，培训可以使得公司对某个领域的技术缺失迅速做出反应。答案是C段的最后一句：indicate how employees should deal with challenging situations, all at short notice.指出员工怎样处理有挑战性的情况，在短时间内。At short notice是一接到通知就，短时间内的意思,可以对应这一题的respond rapidly，challenging situations可以指代题干中的a lack of expertise in a certain area.BEC中级真题详细解析：第二辑TEST 1 PART 2 自助餐领域

BUFFET ZONE

Lucy Robertson started working at a takeaway food business to supplement her income during her student days at Edinburgh University, Several years later she had bought the business and now, 17 years on, she owns Grapevine Caterers, probably Scotland's leading independent caterers, with a turnover of almost ￡6m.She had never planned to own a business, and had certainly never considered a career in catering.(0).......However, her unplanned career began in 1985, when she returned to Edinburgh and

discovered that the takeaway she had worked in was up for sale.On impulse, she bought it, but admits that at the time she knew nothing about catering.(8).........It was a difficult time, but essential in terms of gaining the experience she needed.The late 1980s boom was good for business, with large numbers of office workers wanting takeaway food for their lunches.(9)........'At one point there were 26 food outlets within a 5-kilometre radius,' Robertson recalls.As the economy changed and the once packed office blocks started to become vacant, it became clear that Robertson would need to persify.(10)........It changed the direction of the company for good.As Robertson began to win catering contracts, she decided that the company would have to move to larger premises.In 1994, the move was made when she bought another catering business that already had a number of profitable contracts for boardroom lunches.Meanwhile, Robertson's main competitor, the oldest catering company in Edinburgh, was causing her some anxiety.'Customer loyalty is not to be underestimated,' she warns.But Robertson is not someone who is easily put off.(11)........Partly as a result of this, turnover doubled, and having outgrown another site, Robertson bought a city-centre location for the group's headquarters.By now, Grapevine's main competitor was a new catering company called Towngates.Although Robertson tried to raise enough money to buy Towngates, she did not succeed.Then luck intervened and Towngates went bankrupt.(12)........Many accepted and the company's turnover went from ￡700,000 to ￡l.5 million almost overnight.However, the company's growth was not as smooth as it sounds in retrospect.Robertson admits, 'We were close to the edge during the growth period.Like many under-capitalised companies trying to grow, it might easily have collapsed.' But that, she feels, is the challenge of developing your own business.A But there are plenty of similar contracts to be won in the east of Scotland before Robertson turns her attention elsewhere.B Her way round this particular problem was to recruit the catering manager of the rival company.C But this demand was short-lived, and before long, increasing competition made it harder to make a profit.D 'It was a dramatic learning curve and very small amounts of money were earned at first,’says Robertson.E She decided that the solution, since many companies required working lunches for meetings with clients, was to prepare and deliver meals to business premises.F On hearing this, Robertson immediately contacted all of their clients and offered the services of Grapevine Caterers.G Instead, she studied accountancy after leaving university, and a steady if unspectacular professional path seemed set.《Buffet Zone》，自助餐区域，在这篇文章里的意思应该是自助餐领域，讲的是一个在自助餐领域取得了惊人成绩的杰出女性创业的故事。这套题目不难，尤其比起第四辑的题目。文章本身有很清晰的故事发展脉络，选项和原文的对应也比较明显。文章的几个段落是按照时间先后、故事发生的先后进行的，很明确。第一段是总括，第二段是讲的创业起步阶段的一些困难以及应对困难的对策，第三段是公司好转后的办公室重置（relocation），第四、五段是公司的竞争情况，最后一段总结。

第八题，前面说一时冲动她买下了这个外卖餐馆（takeaway），事实上那个时候她对餐饮业一无所知。空格后面说的是这段时间很困难，但是对获得所需要的经验却是很有必要的。所以第八题的空格部分应该填入跟学习、积累经验有关的内容。D选型最吻合，It was a dramatic learning curve，这里的learning是关键词，很明显的答案信号。还有very small amounts of money were earned at first，at first也是关键词。

第九题，空格前面说large numbers of office workers wanting takeaway food for their lunches，大量的办公室员工需要外卖食品做午饭，这里的wanting是个很关键的词。空格后面话锋一转，说曾经一度5公里内有26家食品商店，但是经济转变了，一条街都空了（blocks started to become vacant）。从上下文来分析，第九空的内容应该和办公室员工的外卖需求有关，同时带有转折意思。C选项完全符合这一条件：但是这种需求是短暂的，不久，逐渐增长的竞争使得赢得利润变得更加困难。

第十题，上文说经济形势转变了，所以Robertson决定从事多样化的经营。后面说这种做法永远的改变了公司的经营方式。所以第十空应该填入相应的对策，怎么样来应对经济形势的转变。符合这一条件的是B和E，都是关于解决问题的，但是B选项所说的招募竞争对手的餐厅经理在上下文内容中没有提到。应该选D，为商业大厦送饭，正好对应下一段所说的。第十一题，这一题才应该选B，前面说竞争对手给自己造成了很大的困扰。但是Robertson却不是那么容易屈服的人。后面说部分原因是这个，营业额翻倍了。所以中间应该也是填入对策。和竞争对手有关的，应该选B，B的particular是个关键词，rival company也很明显。

第十二题，前面说Robertson想收购一个竞争对手，但是没成功，结果人家公司自己破产倒闭了。后面来了一个many accepted，可以看出这中间应该填入的是人家公司破产后Robertson的一些举措。F满足这一条件：一听到这些，Robertson马上联系他们的客户并且提供了自己公司的服务。

BEC中级真题详细解析：第二辑TEST 1 PART 3 怎样开发自己

HOW TO MARKET YOURSELF

We manage our own careers now.So knowing how to brand and position yourself in the market as 'Me plc' at different stages of your working life is becoming an increasingly vital skill.At least that is what image expert Mary Spillane believes.'Employment as we know it is decreasing.Jobs don't exist, work exists.In the next decade most of us will be suppliers, not staff.We will have clients not bosses.If you are under 30, you probably know that there is only one firm to join for life: Me plc.It promotes you and your potential to others.' 'We're working in multi-national, multicultural, multi-corporate teams and it's important to understand the implications of this.We need to create a personal brand that is unique, but complements the brand of the corporation we are working for.You have to find a way to do it so that you are not just a typical employee,' advises Spillane.'You have to decide what central values you want to project, and also what may need to alter from situation to situation.'

Many people only remember Mary Spillane for the years she spent running a cosmetics company, but she actually has masters degrees in information science and politics.She used to hide that hard-hitting side, but is now eager to show it and forget about cosmetics.'Now that I'm working in the boardrooms of major plcs and global companies, I'm playing up my degrees and management background so that the image side is seen only as an addition to the value side,' says Spillane.Some contracts take longer than others.'The City law firms I'm currently working for are really difficult because they don't have any idea of what their brand should be, and are still very traditional even when talking about becoming modern.I'm showing them how to do everything from changing their reception areas-which tend to be very off-putting with their high-fronted reception desksdespite the benefit of notesand that means listening.B Listening is not the same thing as hearing;it is not an effortless activity.It demands attention and concentration.It may mean quizzing the speaker for additional information or for clarificationprobably at the very moment when he or she is saying something critical.And not having heard, you won't know you've missed anything until it's too late.C The most common bad habit we have is to start thinking of what we are going to say about the subject long before the other speaker has finished.We then stop listening.Even worse, this often adds rudeness to inattentiveness, as once you have decided what to say there is a fair chance you will interrupt to say it.Good listeners don't interrupt.In fact it is often worth explaining the main idea of what you have just been told before going on to make your own points.Nobody is offended by this and it shows that you have listened well.D Above all be patient and accept that many people are not very good communicators.It's helpful to remember that the ways people move and position themselves while they are speaking can reveal a great deal about what they are saying.Equally importantly you should put yourself in the other person's place, both intellectually and emotionally;it will help you to understand what they are getting at and form a response.But don't be too clever.Faced with a know-all, many people keep quiet because they see no point in continuing.这篇文章讲的是倾听（listening）的重要性。一个好的管理者必然是一个好的倾听者，所以要讲究倾听的艺术。第一题，有时坚持进一步的解释是很有必要的。答案是B段的这么一句：It may mean quizzing the speaker for additional information or for clarificationit should help you to move up to the next level.B The Director Of course there are all the formal things in managing your bossone of the more serious failings in the book of management.The importance of being a team player is a side effect of the increasing interaction across departments and functional pides.Instead of pushing reports, paperwork and decisions around the organisation, 'teams provide a dynamic meeting place where ideas can be shared and expertise more carefully targeted at important business issues,' says Steve Gardner, in his book Key Management 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 eight different teams', says Dr Cathy Bandy, a psychologist who recently ran a conference on the subject.'They take up so much time that managers can't get on with core tasks.' Forming teams and having meetings has, she says, become an end in itself, almost regardless of purpose.There is also 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 psychological support.' 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 inpidual 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 or failure, as winning a match.'In business, everyone needs to be clear about what the challenge is and whether a team is the right way of approaching it', says Steve Gardner.'Unfortunately, people focus instead on who the members of the team should be and what roles they are to play' Dr Bandy agrees.'There is always a danger that teams can turn into committees,' she says.'In a lot of situations, one or two inpiduals would be much more effective.' So what makes a successful team? There are some general qualities that have been identified.Steve Gardner recommends that in every team there should be someone who is good at researching ideas and another who is good at shooting down impractical ones.There should be those who can resolve the tensions that naturally occur in a team and others who are focused on getting the job done.Also, providing a clear and achievable target at the outset is the best way of ensuring that the team will move on to greater things.《Trouble with Teamwork》，团队合作的麻烦。文章讲了团队的重要性和很多团队存在的问题，以及怎么样才能打造一个成功有效的团队。

第十三题，问文章开头作者针对团队合作做了什么论点。第一段是强调团队合作的重要性，太多的个人成果会显得这个人不是个合格的团队成员。选答案要理解第一句话的含义：Recruiters say that candidates who can give examples of work they have done as members of a successful team are in as strong a position as those who can point to significant inpidual achievement.招聘者说能够给出自己作为一个成功团队成员的例子的候选人同那些指出重要的个人成果的人具有同样重要的地位。言下之意，拥有团队成员的经历也很重要。所以选D，作为一个团队成员如今被视为必要的管理技巧。A、B、C都没有提到。第十四题，问公司内部的团队合作是作为对什么的回应。也就是问团队合作的目的是什么，答案是第二段的这么一句：'teams provide a dynamic meeting place where ideas can be shared and expertise more carefully targeted at important business issues 团队提供了一个动态的会议场所，使得思想可以分享，技能可以更加仔细的对准重要的商业问题。这句里的dynamic meeting place可以对应于B段的changing work practice。第十五题，问在第三段Dr Bandy暗示什么。答案是她的一句原话：Forming teams and having meetings has, she says, become an end in itself, almost regardless of purpose.形成团队然后开会成了它本身的终点，几乎不管目的是什么。也就是说很多团队的建立是没有意义的，多余的。选C，一些团队被不必要的创建了。第十六题，问作者认为团队合作在体育领域里更有效的原因是什么。第四段讲当一群正确的人被组合到一起时会产生一种高于这些人个人能力的力量，在体育比赛里就是如此。这一题的答案是第四段的最后一句：few business situations have as clear a set of objectives, or as clear criteria of success or failure, as winning a match.。很少有企业能像赢得一场比赛一样有一系列清晰的目标，或者是对成功或失败有清晰的评判准则。也就是A选项所说的：知道他们想要实现什么。what they want to achieve可以对应于a set of objectives。第十七题，问这两个人同意当一个商业团队被创立时人们没有把注意力放在什么上面。这一

题要理解第五段的意思。第一句说In business, everyone needs to be clear about what the challenge is and whether a team is the right way of approaching it。在企业，每个人都必须很清楚挑战是什么以及团队是否是实现它的最好的办法。考虑团队是不是最好的办法，也就是说要考虑其他可能的途径，即B选项所说的团队的替代品（alternatives to the team），后面有句focus instead„.人们却把注意力放在了其他的地方。从这些可以看出答案是B。

第十八题，问关于运作一个成功团队Steve Gardner的建议是什么。这题的答案是对最后一段的概括。答案是最后一段第三句recommend后面的一长串there„who，要有不同的人胜任不同的角色。归纳起来，就是各司其职选C：选择能够自然融洽的胜任某个角色的人。其他几个选项都没提到。

第二段有个地方值得解释下。Globalisation has added a further dimension to teamwork。这里的dimension用法比较特别，表示方面，特征，并且是很地道常见的说法 牛津词典的解释：an aspect or feature of a situation, problem, or thing。

麦克米兰的解释：a part of a situation, especially when it influences the way you think about the situation。

e.g: Doing volunteer work has added a whole new dimension to my life.常见搭配：an extra/added/additional/further dimension BEC中级真题详细解析：第二辑TEST3 PART 4 人力资源政策

《Human Resource Policy》，人力资源政策。主要是讲的CBA银行的人力资源政策。先简单介绍了这个银行的管理结构，是扁平化的组织结构（flatter organizational structure），而不是等级制公司（hierarchy）。总体原则是不招应届的刚出校门的毕业生，而要有一定的生活经验或者是工作经验。

第19、20、21题，这几空都是举例说明前面提到的human resources practices。19空是说的将公司的发展目标传达给员工。公司目标，用objective。purpose是指具体做某件事情的意图。这里有必要区分一下objective和purpose，看英文解释。

purpose: the reason you do something, and the thing you want to achieve when you do it objective: something that you are working hard to achieve, especially in business or politics 第20题，个人培训和发展计划的制定。个人发展计划，personal development plans，选C。

第21题，定期的表现回顾。用review。hold在这个句子里是举行的意思。the holding of regular performance review，定期举行员工的表现回顾。

第22题，说扁平化的组织结构可以给员工更加定义广泛的角色。broadly defined roles,选C。第23题，人际交往技巧是很重要的。interpersonal skills,是地道的说法。参见一个例句：you will need good interpersonal skills.第24题，这一句的意思很好理解，是说员工们越来越看重或者说是承认一个事实：顾客的满意是组织的主要目标。recommend是推荐、建议，后面不接the fact（事实），honour是敬重，obey是遵守，这里应该选择respect。respect这里是重视或者接受的意思，看英英词典上的解释：to accept that something which is established or formally agreed

is right or important and not to attempt to change it or harm it。所以这一空应该选择respect the fact，表示接受这个事实。

第25题，CBA银行追求这个目的是为着自己的利益，而不是为股东挣利润的工具。for the sake of something 或 for something's sake：for the purpose of;in the interest of;in order to achieve or preserve 为了„目的；为了„的利益；为了。。固定用法，选A。

第26题，寻找潜在的新成员。地道的词是potential，比如potential recruits, potential staff, potential candidates.第27题，考察的是短语take on的一个用法，雇佣：If you take someone on, you employ them to do a job.；write in：to write a letter to a newspaper, television company or other organization, to state an opinion or ask something以群众来信的形式表达的意见。

第28题，把毕业生分配在各个连锁金融服务领域。用area。field做领域、范围讲的时候是指的研究、活动，region是指的具体的地区，parts是部分，应该用area。第29题，完成目标，met the targets。

第30题，完成了目标就可以得到工作。secure：to get possession of;acquire: 第31题，招的人已经具有了一定的生活经验。gain：to obtain something that is useful, that gives you an advantage, or that is in some way positive, especially over a period of time eg: After you've gained some experience teaching abroad you can come home and get a job.第32题，薪酬现在和业绩挂钩。link to，联系。

第33题，reward sb.奖励某人。reward employees for their achievements and effort，因为功劳而奖励员工。

BEC中级真题详细解析：第二辑TEST3 PART 5 起作用的会议

《Meetings that work》，起作用的会议。文章讲的是开好一个会议应该注意哪些问题。34题，it is vital to do sth.，做什么事情是至关重要的。too„to结构表示太而不能。从上下文和词组的用法来看，too是多余的。35题，正确的

36题，since so many are unproductive，是说的很多会议都没有效果。主谓宾很齐全，unproductive做形容词就可以修饰前面的meeting，results是多余的。37题，完整的句子应该是Sending an email or（by）using another means of communication might achieve the desired results in half the time。介词by是多余的。有by，不仅后面的主语不对，也没有与前面的sending保持一致。38题，正确的

39题，这个句子的前后没有因果关系，去掉so 40题，（Concerning）the key to a good meeting is an agenda,主谓宾是齐全的，the key to a meeting是主语，is是谓语，an agenda是宾语，意思就是日程表是会议的关键。Concerning是多余的。41题，正确的

42题，those who固定的搭配，指代哪些人，ones是多余的

43题，去掉插入成分starting with the most important，完整的句子是set（that）out the points for discussion。set out是词组，在这里是陈述、阐明的意思：present information or ideas in a well-ordered way in writing or speech.。所以that多余。44题，discuss是及物动词，做讨论时直接用discuss，而不是discuss about。事实上，在discuss后面接about时的about一般都是做“大约的”意思讲，而不是一个完整的词组。所以此处about多余。45题，正确的。

BEC中级真题详细解析：第二辑TEST 4 PART 1 连锁

1、This development is in an area where the potential for consumer spending is the highest in the country.2、The partners constructing this centre have been responsible for numerous other developments.3、The centre may become a model for future urban development plans.4、This centre is being marketed by the developers as the best place in the area to shop.5、Other shopping destinations are located close to the agreed site for this centre.6、Plans for this development have been presented to people who live in the area for comment and approval.7、This development is being built in an area which has experienced sustained growth over time.A

The Birmingham Alliance will provide Birmingham with one of Europe's largest regional shopping centres, right in the heart of the city.The Alliance, an initiative between three of the largest developers in the country, all with extensive experience of urban regeneration schemes, will facilitate an £800m investment in Birmingham.This will regenerate 40 acres of the city centre within the next decade.Planning permission is in place for the new scheme, which will be a short distance from existing prime retail areas.The development will be well serviced by all forms of public transport, as well as providing parking space for 3,200 cars.B

The private-public partnership between Legal & General and Bracknell Town Council will manage the £500m regeneration of the town's centre.The proposals, which are awaiting the outcome of consultation with local residents, provide for approximately 102,000m2 of retail and leisure facilities, 200 residential units and office accommodation.This development is expected to set the standard for town centre regeneration schemes to come because of the way it integrates the business and community sectors.It will also facilitate great improvements in the region's transport infrastructure.C

Bluewater is a symbol of retail excellence, achieved through a unique combination of design, retail mix, leisure, catering and hospitality.The centre, surrounded by parkland, is situated in the country's most affluent region.Eleven million people, with a combined spending power predicted to exceed a record 5.5bn pound, live within 60 minutes of the centre.The developers set a precedent in the industry by getting the country's three best-known department stores to open very large branches within the centre, as well as over 300 leading fashion and lifestyle stores.D

Following its recent stock market success, Lend Lease is now developing Overgate shopping centre in Dundee.Construction is well under way, and with several of the country's best-known retailers already secured, Lend Lease is promoting the centre as the unrivalled shopping destination of the region.The economic base of the area has improved continuously over the past decade, due to the fast expansion of the biomedical and service sectors.With an estimated potential market of 500,000 people, Overgate is proving attractive to leading UK retailers.这套题目的难度不一般，我估计能把这套题给吃透了，以后基本可以笑傲阅读的第一部分了。文章有点散，题目的信息也是相当隐晦，很可能看了半天依然找不着北。写到这里多啰嗦几句，越是这种时候越要沉住气：所有人都一样，别人不会感觉比你容易。这是整个BEC考试的第一部分，如果不对付好了，后面会溃不成军。

文章ABCD四个部分分别介绍了四个不同的连锁店的发展情况（retail development），因为是基本情况的介绍，所以有点泛，没法提炼重点，只能尽可能多的把文章里的疑似重点词汇划出来，以待备用。

第一题，说这个地区的消费支出潜力是整个国家最高的，这里的highest是关键词。答案是C段的这句话：Eleven million people,with a combined spending power predicted to exceed a record 5.5bn pound.意思是综合消费能力预计将超过记录。预计（predict），也就是潜力(potential)。hightest，也就是exceed a record。前面有个affluent，是形容词，富裕的。

第二题，说建筑这个中心的合作方曾多次负责其他的项目发展。答案是A段的一句话：an initiative between three of the largest developers in the country, all with extensive experience of urban regeneration schemes.意思是这三个国内最大的开发商都拥有广泛的城市建造经验。这里的with extensive experience就是题干所说的have been responsible for numerous other developments.第三题，说这个中心可能会成为未来城市发展规划的范例。答案是B段的一句：This development is expected to set the standard for town centre regeneration schemes to come。这种发展有望为即将到来的城市中心再建方案树立标准。set the standard对应于model，plans对应于schemes。

第四题，关键词是best，答案是D段的这么一句：Lend Lease is promoting the centre as the unrivalled shopping destination of the region.是说Lend Lease打算促使该中心成为这个地区无与伦比的消费目的地。Unrivalled对应于best。

第五题，关键词是一个close，答案是A段的：Planning permission is in place for the new scheme, which will be a short distance from existing prime retail areas。A short distance from也就是close。

第六题，说这个发展方案提交给了住在这里的人，等待他们的评价和同意。答案是B段的“The proposals, which are awaiting the outcome of consultation with local residents”，这个提议还在等当地居民商议的最后结果，完全一个意思。第七题，说建造在了一个曾经历了持续增长期的地区，答案是D段的“The economic base of the area has improved continuously over the past decade”，这个地方的经济基础连续改善了十年。sustained growth对应于improved continuously。

BEC中级真题详细解析：第二辑TEST 4 PART 2 员工评估

Staff Appraisals

A director of the advertising agency owned by tycoon Bob Jacoby once grumbled that he wasn't enjoying his work.Jacoby's reply was, 'I don't pay you good money to enjoy yourself.If you enjoy working here, you should be paying me money.' Jacoby's sentiments used to be common.(0)____ Happily, things have changed.Most organisations now undertake regular staff appraisals, at which employees have the opportunity to discuss one-to-one with their line manager their ambitions and hopes, their strengths and weaknesses, their achievements and their disasters.But it is worth remembering how new all this is, and why.For a start, appraising isn't something many managers do naturally of their own accord.They often find appraisals difficult to handle and have to be made to carry them out.Appraisal systems have become widespread partly as a result of employment legislation, but more particularly because companies have learned that such assessments can work to their advantage.(8)......The company can improve its collective performance by helping employees to improve their inpidual performance.Managers who use appraisals need to approach them very carefully.They should bear in mind their own experiences of being appraised when in junior positions, recalling which appraisals were helpful, which were not, and why.In most cases, their own bosses did their homework, checking out the job specification, the C.V.and any previous reports.(9).........As a result, a lot of time would have been wasted, debating exactly what had happened and when.Being prepared and appreciating what it is like to be on the receiving end are, indeed, the keys to successful appraising.It is important to begin an appraisal by giving members of staff a chance to express their own views about their performance.(10).........Any information gained from colleagues is normally given in a positive spirit, since nowadays everyone understands appraisals and appreciates that they are carried out with good intentions.The atmosphere in the appraisal should be one of positive and open discussion about how the employee is performing in the company.(11).........Some inpiduals will feel unjustly criticised when their boss makes comments on their performance.Others will respond fiercely to a critical assessmentotherwise known as 'pioneering'this would not be a giant leap and the sales force would take it in its stride.Also, they wouldn't need to re-equip their factory and could use non-UK sourcing if facilities here are in short supply.B Mesut Guzel They have the fundamentals of a survival strategy in a market where outsourced manufacture and brand differentiation hold the key to success.I think they should initially locate some of their

production in another country, where manufacturing quality tends to be better and it is easier to meet changing customer demands.But they should also regularly monitor production in Britain and think about outsourcing all this work abroad at some point if they need it done faster.The company should continue to work on innovative products, and thorough market research will help to ensure any new ideas are well received.C Gary Wilmot In order to beat their rivals in a highly competitive market, Flacks should ensure their products are attractive and build on their relationships with the big stores rather than trying to go it alone and market directly.They should also consider refocusing production by using their UK factory for high-specification products.They could eventually build more production overseas in a cycle of continuous development.D Michal Kaminski The demand for fashion accessories is relatively flat and the company should consider exploiting niche markets to improve its margins.But even within these, Flacks must distinguish its goods from those of its rivals in terms of quality, performance and design.Innovative sales, marketing and PR are vital to exploit these niche products.One competitive advantage that Flacks does have is production times.Many retail chains now have two-tier supply chains and Flacks could focus on top-up orders.They might also investigate other sales channels such as mail order.这篇文章是关于一个女性时尚饰品公司——Flacks的发展战略问题，四个专家给出了自己的建议。这套题目的答案稍微有些隐晦。

第一题，说在开发新产品前咨询客户的意见对于Flacks来讲是很明智的。答案是B段的最后一句：thorough market research will help to ensure any new ideas are well received.彻底的市场调查能够确保新的思想很好的被接受。Market research，市场调查，在很大程度上就是咨询客户的意见（consult customers），any new ideas可以对应于developing a new product,能够well received，那么对于公司来讲当然就是advisable了。选B。第二题，说为专业市场生产产品可以增加利润。答案是D段的这么一句：the company should consider exploiting niche markets to improve its margins这题关键是要理解一个市场的含义：niche market。看英英解释：a small area of trade within the economy, often involving specialized products。improve its margins也就是increase profits，选D。第三题，说Flacks可能需要改变它的一个设备的功能。这里答案不是太明显，是C段的这么一句：They should also consider refocusing production by using their UK factory for high-specification products。他们也需要考虑通过利用英国工厂生产高规格产品来调整生产焦点。也就是说，英国工厂原来不是生产高规格产品的，即题目说的改变它的一个设备的功能。第四题，说Flacks可以利用现有的技能来进入一个新的市场。答案是A段的这么一句：They need to move into a more promising market, one where demand is growing and where the company can exploit existing skills and contacts。他们需要进入一个更有发展前景的市场，一个需求增长并且公司可以利用现有技能和合同的市场。exploit existing skills也就是utilise its current expertise。第五题，说Flacks可以考虑关闭现有的生产设备。这题也有些隐晦，答案是这么一句：think about outsourcing all this work abroad。关键就在于outsource这个词的意思：turn to outside suppliers or manufacturers外购。既然是要考虑outsource——turn to outside manufactures，那么也就是可以考虑关闭自己的生产设备了。选B。

第六题，说Flacks应该考虑发展同领先的连锁商已经建立起来的关系。答案在C段：build on their relationships with the big stores发展他们同大商店的关系。第七题，说扩展产品范围对劳动力来讲不是问题。答案在A段：They could think about brand extensionand you may need to experiment to find what suits you best-find some way of fitting the activity into your schedule.Never say, 'I don't have time to plan today'.B Managers at all levels occasionally find they have taken on more than they can cope with.This is not a crime, but you must examine the reasons for such a situation and then plan a course of action.Until the problem is resolved, most of your time and energy will go into worrying about the situation and you will feel unmotivated.Think too about how to prevent it happening again.This may require you to be firm and avoid agreeing to more than is realistic.C If a review of your working practices shows that you are too much of a perfectionist, do something about this.Modern definitions of quality refer to Witness for purpose'.If you bear this in mind, you may find it easier to persuade yourself to settle for an acceptable level of quality rather than perfection.When thinking about objectives and planning how to achieve them, consider how thoroughly you need to do something in order to meet your requirements.Unless you have spare time, do not spend extra hours on an activity in an effort to cover absolutely everything.D If your review of a period of time shows that you are spending time on things that are not really necessary or important, then think hard about whether you can afford this time.Many people file unnecessary papers and attend endless, unproductive meetings.Even top managers can be guilty of misdirecting their efforts by supervising subordinates too closely or failing to delegate.If you question the necessity of certain work, you may find it easier to avoid these misdirected efforts and this will better inform your planning in the future.《Successful Time Management》，成功的时间管理。文章针对怎么利用时间、提高工作效率提出了一些建议。

第一题，为了完成好一个任务，没有必要处理每一个细节。答案是C段的最后一句话，而且

这句话同时是第一题和第四题的答案所在：Unless you have spare time, do not spend extra hours on an activity in an effort to cover absolutely everything.除非你有空闲的时间，否则不要在一件事情上花费额外的时间去努力涉及到所有事情。cover absolutely everything可以对应于deal with every detail。第二题，如果你有很多要做的，也许需要拒绝以后的工作。答案是B段的最后一句，有点绕：This may require you to be firm and avoid agreeing to more than is realistic.这需要你变得坚定，避免答应超出现实的工作。more than is realistic，也就是眼前无法完成的工作，即work in the future。

第三题，任何计划行为都需要建立在一个有规律的基础上。答案在A段。A段整个就是讲的计划的重要性，有计划，才能合理安排时间。中间说有人喜欢在每天开始的时候计划，有人喜欢在结束前。答案是这么一句：you may need to experiment to find what suits you best-find some way of fitting the activity into your schedule.你必须去试验寻找到最适合你的——寻找将这个活动融入到你的时间表的某种方法。要让计划融入进你的时间表，也就是说计划要成为你的日程的固定部分，即题目说的take place on a regular basis。第四题，在第一题已经说了，C段的最后一句，extra hours可以对应于additional time。第五题，可能有些例行的任务不需要被执行。答案是D段的第一句：If your review of a period of time shows that you are spending time on things that are not really necessary or important, then think hard about whether you can afford this time如果回顾某段时间发现你在一些并不是真正必要或者重要的事情上花费了时间，那么你需要仔细考虑这次你是否花的起。言下之意，有些things that are not really necessary or important（some routine tasks）可以不必花时间做(do not need to be carried out)。第六题，如果你觉得自己工作负担过重，那么查明原因很重要。答案是B段的这么一句：This is not a crime, but you must examine the reasons for such a situation and then plan a course of action。examine the reasons可以对应于identify the cause。

第七题，各个等级的人都会进行浪费时间的活动。答案在D段，需要提炼。D段整个讲的都是不要把时间浪费在不必要的事情上。前面说不要干一些routine task，后面说顶端的经理们也会误用他们的努力。最后一段盘点了很多人，前面的many people，后面的even top manager，和在一起就是题目说的people at all levels。不管是routine task，还是misdirecting their efforts，都是time-wasting activities。

BEC中级真题详细解析：第三辑TEST 2 PART 2 员工评估

《Staff appraisals》，员工评估。很多公司的员工和经理都害怕评估，但是好的评估可以增进员工的忠诚度和满意感，给公司带来益处。

第八题，前面说评估可能是个有用的或者是痛苦的经历。但是根据调查，标准的评估效果却不尽如人意。那么正常来讲，后面应该接着说评估不好（far from perfect）的原因或者是表现。C选项讲的是表现（problems），E选项虽然有because，但是不是讲的评估不好的原因。选C，正好和后面也对的上。出了问题，才使得后果更加严重（the possible outcome is even worse）。

第九题，也需要理顺上下文的逻辑关系。前面说评估的质量取决于老板决定怎么去执行。如果进行的好的话员工会根据收到的反馈来改进他们的表现。空格后面一个SO，问到怎么样让一个有建设性的评估被实行？那么前面的内容多少有点转折的意思。实行的好对改进员工的表现有好处，可实行的不好呢？逻辑上看，这里应该填入评估如果被执行的不好的话会怎么样，或者说影响实行的一些因素，所以后面才会问到该怎么去执行。从给出的几个选项，F是最符合这一特征的：评估的格式不允许这个（指根据反馈的结果改进表现）。

第十题，接着上面讲评估的具体方法。空格的前面讲评估都是manager-led，并且介绍了一些过程。空格后面有in both cases，可以看出空格这里应该填入评估的另一种方法，和manager-led对应的。选项A最符合条件：经理们可能想要员工们自己评价自己的工作表现。alternatively这个连词是个暗示。

第十一题，前面说很多经理视评估为浪费时间。后面说如果没有必要的训练，很多经理都会回避那些需要在评估上讨论的让人不舒服的话题。E选项可以对应于上下文：那主要是因为他们并没有被演示怎么正确的进行评估。因为没有接受训练才不理解，才会认为是浪费时间。have not been shown也就是without the necessary training。

第十二题，这一空是最明显的。叫评估不合适，那就换个名字吧，选D，叫“performance review”。

BEC中级真题详细解析：第三辑TEST 2 PART 3 IT行业的问题

Problems in the IT industry

In the information technology industry, it is widely acknowledged that how well IT departments of the future can fulfil their business goals will depend not on the regular updating of technology, which is essential for them to do, but on how well they can hold on to the people skilled at manipulating the newest technology.This is becoming more difficult.Best estimates of the current shortfall in IT staff in the UK are between 30,000 and 50,000, and growing.And there is no end to the problem in sight.A severe industry-wide lack of investment in training means the long-term skills base is both ageing and shrinking.Employers are chasing experienced staff in ever-decreasing circles, and, according to a recent government report, 250,000 new IT jobs will be created over the next decade.Most employers are confining themselves to dealing with the immediate problems.There is little evidence, for example, that they are stepping up their intake of raw recruits for in-house training, or retraining existing staff from other functions.This is the course of action recommended by the Computer Software Services Association, but research shows its members are adopting the short-term measure of bringing in more and more consultants on a contract basis.However, this approach is becoming less and less acceptable as the general shortage of skills, coupled with high demand, sends contractor rates soaring.An experienced contract programmer, for example, can now earn at least double the current permanent salary.With IT professionals increasingly attracted to the financial rewards and flexibility of consultancy work, average staff turnover rates are estimated to be around 15%.Whil