It gives me great pleasure today to say a few words in praise of a man we will all miss very much. To be honest, I can't imagine we will do without him when he's gone.
Bill Masters almost single-handed built up our sales force in the Houston area and developed the market position that we enjoy today. In only six years, he has brought the firm from a very low fifth position in the area sales to the point where we now outsell all but one of our competitors. Not only have we got 37 per cent of the market under Bill's leadership; we are increasing our share with each passing month.
As you know, the company has moved Bill to northern California to work his sales magic in one of this company's most competitive(竞争的) areas. But we know that if anyone can do it, Bill Masters can, and I know you all join me in wishing him the best of luck in his new work.
小题1:The speech was made _______.
A．at a welcome meeting
B．at the opening of a new school term
C．when somebody was leaving
D．when they had a new manager小题2: How long did Masters worked there?
A．37 years
B．less than 5 years
C．about six years
D．since he began to work小题3:When Bill started to work in Houston area, he had _______to help him.
A．many people
B．nobody
C．about 37 people
D．very few people小题4:Bill increased the company's sale _______.
A．by 37 per cent every month
B．to the second largest in the area
C．to be the fifth largest in the area
D．five times as much as before
小题1:C
小题2:C
小题3:D
小题4:B
这是一篇送别他人的文章，是在Bill要离开休斯顿去北卡罗来纳的时候夸奖他所做的巨大贡献的短文。
小题1:C 推理题。根据文章第三段可知Bill要离开休斯顿去北卡罗来纳了，文章正是给他送行时所说。夸奖他取得的巨大成功。
小题2:C 细节题。根据第二段第2行In only six years,可知C正确。
小题3:Ｄ推理题。根据第二段一开始 Bill Masters almost single-handed built up our sales force in the Houston area and developed the market position that we enjoy today.中的almost single-handed可知Ｂｉｌｌ几乎是单枪匹马的在休斯顿开始的，故Ｄ正确。
小题4:Ｂ 细节题。根据第二段中的he has brought the firm from a very low fifth position in the area sales to the point where we now outsell all but one of our competitors.中的 all but one说明我们现在排名第二。故B正确。