PART 2 Reading Comprehension
DIRECTIONS: In this part, there are 3 passages. Each of them is followed by 5 questions, and to each question, there are four possible answers marked with A, B, C, and D. Please choose the correct or best answer to each question.(本大题共15小题，每小题2分，共30分)
Passage One
Questions 11 to 15 are based on the following passage:
Asia is feeling the cold wind of economic crisis and uncertain consumer attitudes. Suppliers and Airline and Airport operators will experience difficulties in budgeting for next year. Sales of perfume and premium whisky and brandy continue to be under pressure. Tobacco products showed some progress, but most growth was coming from the newer product categories such as chocolates and sweets, electronics and a smaller growth in jewelry sales. The ever increasing and changing range of products of the industry and the continued growth of retail outlets for travelers were key issues in the past year and showed no sign of changing in next year’s duty free goods.
The market in Asia has begun to recover since the financial crisis. However, in Europe, the elimination of tax-free sales only applies to travelers moving between the fifteen member states of the European Union. It does not apply to travelers to other regions of the world and other European Countries. Also, all military and diplomatic sales are not affected by the sales elimination. However, sales in non-member states like Norway, Switzerland and Turkey as well as those in Eastern Europe will continue to grow.
Elimination in Europe can best be described as chaotic. Retail operators have either gone their own way or tried to develop alternative approaches. Suppliers face the rounds of a new negotiation and the need to reconsider products and marketing in a new world where hopefully travel will go on growing and consumers will go on enjoying the pleasure of shopping, but there is evidence that the traveling consumer is bewildered and confused by what to believe and how to act.
11. The trend of next year’s duty free sales will be _______________. ( )
A. a decrease of chocolates and sweets
B. a decrease of electronics
C. a decrease of jewelry
D. more varied types of duty free items on sale.
12. Which of the following is NOT true? ( )
A. The Asia market has improved after the financial crisis.
B. Sales in the Asia market held up during the financial crisis.
C. The prospect in Europe is good because there will be more travelers and more purchasing.
D. The European market will not need new products and marketing.
13. _______________ is within the mentioned fifteen countries of the European Union. ( )
A. Norway B. Germany
C. Switzerland D. Eastern Europe
14. Which of the following is NOT true? ( )
A. Elimination in Europe is in a mess.
B. Retail operators in Europe try to find their own way out.
C. Retail operators in Europe try to find new ways.
D. Elimination in Europe is well organized.
15. The elimination will cause the traveling consumer to _______________. ( )
A. be confused about prices and whether to buy goods
B. buy best goods
C. experience rounds of negotiation
D. reconsider products and marketing
