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1、TEXT3“There is on and only one social responsibility of business,” wrote Milton Friedman, a Nobel prize-winning economist, “That is, to use its resources and engage in activities designed to increase its profits.” But even if you accept Friedmans premise and regard corporate social responsibility (C
2、SR) policies as a waste of shareholders money, things may not be absolutely clear-cut. New research suggests that CSR may create monetary value for companies-at least when they are prosecuted for corruption.The largest firms in America and Britain together spend more than $15 billion a year on CSR,
3、according to an estimate by EPG, a consulting firm. This could add value to their businesses in three ways. First, consumers may take CSR spending as a “signal” that a companys products are of high quality. Second, customers may be willing to buy a companys products as an indirect way to donate to t
4、he good causes it helps. And third, through a more diffuse “halo effect,” whereby its good deeds earn it greater consideration from consumers and others.Previous studies on CSR have had trouble differentiating these effects because consumers can be affected by all three. Al recent study attempts to
5、separate them by looking at bribery prosecutions under Americas Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). It argues that since prosecutors do not consume a companys products as part of their investigations, they could be influenced only by the halo effect.The study found that, among prosecuted firms, th
6、ose with the most comprehensive CSR programmes tended to get more lenient penalties,. Their analysis ruled out the possibility that it was firms political influence, rather than their CSR stand, that accounted for the leniency: Companies that contributed more to political campaigns did not receive l
7、ower fines.In all, the study concludes that whereas prosecutors should only evaluate a case based on its merits, they do seem to be influenced by a companys record in CSR. “We estimate that either eliminating a substantial labour-rights concern , such as child labour, or increasing corporate giving
8、byabout20% results in fines that generally are 40% lower than the typical punishment for bribing foreign officials”, says one researcher.Researchers admit that their study does not answer the question of how much businesses ought to spend on CSR. Nor does it reveal how much companies are banking on
9、the halo effect, rather than the other possible benefits, when they decide their do-gooding policies. But at least they have demonstrated that when companies get into trouble with the law, evidence of good character can win them less costly punishment.31.The author views Milton Friedmans statement a
10、bout CSR withAtolerance.Bskepticism.Cuncertainty.Dapproval.32.According to Paragraph 2,CSR helps a company byAwinning trust from consumers.Bguarding it against malpractices.Cprotecting it from being defamed.Draising the quality of its products.33. The expression “more lenient ”(line 2,para.4)is clos
11、est in meaning toAmore effectiveBless controversialCless severeDmore lasting34. When prosecutors evaluate a case, a companys CSR regardAhas an impact on their decisionBcomes across as reliable evidenceCincreases the chance of being penalizedDconstitutes part of the investigation35.Which of the follo
12、wing is true of CSR, according to the last paragraph?A Its negative effects on businesses are often overlooked.B The necessary amount of companies spending on it is unknown.C Companies financial capacity for it has been overestimated.D It has brought much benefit to the banking industry.31.答案 B Skep
13、ticism解析:作者观点态度题。题干问的是作者对有关CSR方面Milton Friedman的说法是什么态度。根据大写Milton Friedman这个人定位到定位到首段首句。注意题干问的是作者的看法,因此定位到后一句but转折处。转折处的主题句式“things may not absolutely clear-cut”,作者持的是否定态度,选择答案B。C选项是作者态度不明确,不能选择。32.答案 A winning trust from consumers解析:根据题干找到第二段.根据第二段内容,CSR could add value to their business in three
14、ways. 从而定位下面三点。First后面出现了high quality,但是它是在从句中,从句修饰signal,而本句谓语动词是take,与D中 raising 并不是同义词,故排除。Second,和third 都与消费者购买心态有关,和A选项 winning trust from consumers 相对应。而B,C选项的malpractices和defamed在原文中并未出现,且没有同义词,故排除。33.答案 C less severe解析:根据题干找到第四段对应处。可见题干的 more lenient 是作为修饰 penalties(惩罚) 的,故推测本句在讨论 CSR 和 pena
15、lties 有什么联系。而本段与惩罚相关的词只有最后一个词 fines(罚金),修饰它的形容词是lower, 故可推测 more lenient 与降低惩罚有关,只有C选项满足。34.答案A has an impact on their decision解析:题干中问的是 CSR record 与 prosecutors evaluate a case 的关系,根据题干内容到对应点:第五段第一句。本句说,.they do seem to be influenced by a companys recore in CSR.这里的 be influenced 与A选项 has an impact 对应,故选A. 而B选项中的 reliable evidence, C 选项中的 the chance of being penalized 在原文中没有体现。D选项中的 investigation 与题干中的 When prosecutors evaluate a case 明显对应不上,故不予考虑。35.答案B The necessary amount of companies spending on it