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Europe is not a gender-equality heaven.In particular, the corporate workplace will never be completely family—friendly until women are part of senior management decisions,and Europe,s top corporate-governance positions remain overwhelmingly male .indeed,women hold only 14 percent of positions on Europe corporate boards.

The Europe Union is now considering legislation to compel corporate boards to maintain a certain proportion of women-up to 60 percent.This proposed mandate was born of frustration. Last year, Europe Commission Vice President Viviane Reding issued a call to voluntary action. Reding invited corporations to sign up for gender balance goal of 40 percent female board membership. But her appeal was considered a failure: only 24 companies took it up.

Do we need quotas to ensure that women can continue to climb the corporate Ladder fairy as they balance work and family?

“Personally, I don’t like quotas,” Reding said recently. “But i like what the quotas do.” Quotas get action: they “open the way to equality and they break through the glass ceiling,” according to Reding, a result seen in France and other countries with legally binding provisions on placing women in top business positions.

I understand Reding’s reluctance-and her frustration. I don’t like quotas either; they run counter to my belief in meritocracy, government by the capable. Bur, when one considers the obstacles to achieving the meritocratic ideal, it does look as if a fairer world must be temporarily ordered.

After all, four decades of evidence has now shown that corporations in Europe as the US are evading the meritocratic hiring and promotion of women to top position— no matter how much “soft pressure ” is put upon them. When women do break through to the summit of corporate power--as, for example, Sheryl Sandberg recently did at Facebook—they attract massive attention precisely because they remain the exception to the rule.

If appropriate pubic policies were in place to help all women---whether CEOs or their children’s caregivers--and all families, Sandberg would be no more newsworthy than any other highly capable person living in a more just society.

36. In the European corporate workplace, generally_____.

[A] women take the lead

[B] men have the final say

[C] corporate governance is overwhelmed

[D] senior management is family-friendly

37. The European Union’s intended legislation is ________.

[A] a reflection of gender balance

[B] a reluctant choice

[C] a response to Reding’s call

[D] a voluntary action

38. According ti Reding, quotas may help women ______.

[A] get top business positions

[B] see through the glass ceiling

[C] balance work and family

[D] anticipate legal results

39. The author’s attitude toward Reding’s appeal is one of _________.

[A] skepticism

[B] objectiveness

[C] indifference

[D] approval

40. Women entering top management become headlines due to the lack of ______.

[A] more social justice

[B] massive media attention

[C] suitable public policies

[D] greater “soft pressure”

Part B

Directions:

You are going to read a list of headings and a text. Choose the most suitable heading from the list A-F for each numbered paragraph (41-45).Mark your answers on ANSWER SHEET1. (10 points)

[A] Live like a peasant

[B] Balance your diet

[C] Shopkeepers are your friends

[D] Remember to treat yourself

[E] Stick to what you need

[F] Planning is evervthing

[G] Waste not, want not

The hugely popular blog the Skint Foodie chronicles how Tony balances his love of good food with living on benefits. After bills, Tony has £60 a week to spend, £40 of which goes on food, but 10 years ago he was earning £130,000 a I year working in corporate communications and eating at London's betft restaurants'" at least twice a week. Then his marriage failed, his career burned out and his drinking became serious. "The community mental health team saved my life. And I felt like that again, to a certain degree, when people responded to the blog so well. It gave me the validation and confidence that I'd lost. But it's still a day-by-day thing." Now he's living in a council flat and fielding offers from literary agents. He's feeling positive, but he'll carry on blogging - not about eating as cheaply as you can - "there are so many people in a much worse state, with barely any money to spend on food" - but eating well on a budget. Here's his advice for economical foodies.

41._____________________

Impulsive spending isn't an option, so plan your week's menu in advance, making shopping lists for your ingredients in their exact quantities. I have an Excel template for a week of breakfast, lunch and dinner. Stop laughing: it's not just cost effective but helps you balance your diet. It's also a good idea to shop daily instead of weekly, because, being-human, you'll sometimes change your mind about what you fancy.

42________________________

This is where supermarkets and thci; anonymity come in handy. With them,

there's not the same embarrassment as when buying one carrot in a little

greengrocer. And if you plan properly, you'll know that you only need, say, 350g

of shin of beef and six rashers of bacon, not whatever weight is pre-packed in the

supermarket chiller.

43____________________________

You may proudly claim to only have frozen peas in the freezer - that's not

good enough. Mine is filled with leftovers, bread, stock, meat and fish. Planning

ahead should eliminate wastage, but if you have surplus vegetables you'll do a

vegetable soup, and all fruits threatening to "go off' will be cooked or juiced.

44_______________________

Everyone says this, but it really is a top tip for frugal eaters. Shop at butchers,

delis and fish-sellers regularly, even for small things, and be super friendly. Soon

you'll feel comfortable asking if they've any knuckles of ham for soups and stews,

or beef bones, chicken carcasses and fish heads for stock which, more often than

not, Theyil let you have for free.

45______________________

You won't be eating out a lot, but save your pennies and once every few

months treat yourself to a set lunch at a good restaurant - £1.75 a week for three

months gives you £21 - more than" enough for a three-course lunch at

Michelin-starred Arbutus. It's £16.95 there - or £12.99 for a large pizza from

Domino's: I know which I'd rather eat.