C

The term “Industry 4.0” refers to the fourth industrial revolution. The first industrial revolution was the production of goods with machines like steam engines, which was followed by the second industrial revolution that introduced mass production with the help of electric power, followed by the digital revolution —the use of electronics and IT in production.

Industry 4.0 is a high-tech project, which promotes the computerization of manufacturing (制造业). The basic principle of Industry 4.0 is that by connecting machines, work pieces and systems, we are creating intelligent networks along the entire value chain that can control each other automatically. The goal is the Smart Factory, which adapts well and uses resources efficiently as well as linking customers and business partners with great intelligence. Technological basis are the Internet systems and advanced factories. Experts believe that Industry 4.0 could be a reality in about 10 to 20 years.

So, what effects does this change have on the classic manufacturing? According to an expert, “it is highly likely that the world of production will become more and more networked until everything is connected with everything else.” Networks and processes have so far been limited to one factory. But in the time of Industry 4.0, the boundaries (界限) of individual factories will most likely no longer exist. Instead, they will be lifted in order to inter-connect multiple factories or even geographical regions.

How is an Industry 4.0 factory different from a today’s factory? In current industry environment, providing high-end quality service or product with the least cost is the key to success. Factories are trying to increase their profit as much as possible. In the time of Industry 4.0, various data sources are available to provide worthwhile information about different aspects of the factory. Using data for understanding the current condition and checking faults and failures is a natural thing. The sharing of information around the clock and around the globe will enable these connected systems to manage themselves independently, work more efficiently and identify any errors quickly.

The good news is that Europe is much better prepared for the Industry 4.0 revolution than one might think. Europe will position itself as a pioneer in the fourth revolution. Industry 4.0 is a project in the high-tech strategy of the German government. Meanwhile, in the U.S., some companies are also working hard on it. But the success of industry depends on whether business and politics can work together.It’s not only politics that needs to help open the door for Industry 4.0. Every company is advised to seize the new digital opportunities.

28. What marks the coming of Industry 4.0?

A. Steam engines. B. Mass production.

C.Intelligent networks. D. Use of electronics.

29. Industry 4.0 will probably result in _________ in the world of manufacturing.

A. classic factories stopping their competition

B. production limited to an individual factory

C. networks and processes no longer existing

D. everything connected with everything else

30. What’s the meaning of the underlined part in Para. 4?

A. Global news broadcast at any time.

B. Sharing information of the world time.

C. Instant worldwide information exchange.

D. Spreading news widely on the hour.

31. According to the last paragraph, who is the most active in pushing Industry 4.0?

A. The American government. B. The European companies.

C. The German government. D. The American companies.

D

Did you see American figure skater, Jeremy Abbott, crash to the ice during the short program at the Sochi Olympics, rolling into the wall, clutching his side in pain. Ten seconds later, he got up and continued his skate—despite the pain, embarrassment and fear. All I could think was: this kid’s got courage. In business we have a word for it—resilience, the ability to gain strengths and confidence from overcoming unpleasant events.

However, opposite examples appeared in Sochi Olympics as well. For them, failure is someone else’s fault, because they do not accept personal responsibility. Therefore, they have to pay a high price for this attitude. After years of studying failure, I have learned one thing: modesty and open-mindedness in the face of mistakes is the single best thing you can do to improve results.Everyone fails, but not everyone recovers from failure. The key is to learn from it rather than get beaten by it.

The good news is that each of us has the potential to live a resilient life on and off the job. It may be difficult, but that just makes it all the more powerful and important. If you believe the above paragraph to be true, then you’re probably more resilient than you think you are. It takes confidence to be resilient but that too much confidence is a killer is so true of leadership. For example, Ron Johnson, the ill-fated CEO of JC Penney, was so stubborn that he completely missed all sorts of signals from employees and customers and instead listened to all those who agreed with him, which failed his strategy. Bouncing back from failure requires that you recognize something has gone wrong, and you were the one who made it happen.

The challenge of resilience is not just about our work. When parents help their kids deal with every challenging situation, they are doing an unhelpful action to their children. Parents want to protect their kids from failure, but doing so takes away the opportunity from them to practice not just a life skill but an essential work skill. When self-esteem becomes more important than results, we are accidentally training young people to become less adaptable, not more.

Resilience is not just about getting up off the floor, but also being ready for whatever comes next, even when you don’t know what it is. Failures and setbacks are no longer unusual events, but regular features of a dynamic, competitive and highly demanding work environment. Getting up to finish your skate is no longer optional.

32. The example of Jeremy Abbott shows that one should ______.

A. take others’ opinions to heart B. stick to his own viewpoint

C. recover from failure D. challenge difficulties bravely

33. According to the author, what can best build up resilience?

A. Being modest and open-minded. B. Being competitive and helpful.

C. Being positive and powerful. D. Being confident and responsible.

34. Which of the following examples shows us resilience?

A. A teacher offers students timely help and care.

B. A student has got a low grade but continues to work hard.

C. A confident leader persuades his staff to follow his plan.

D. A determined athlete practices skating hard every day.

35. Which might be the best title for the passage?

A. An Example of Resilience: Ron Johnson

B. Optional Challenges of Resilience

C. Resilience: A Lesson from Sochi

D. Resilience in Family Education