passage one

“Most people think of software testing as a mundane task of punching the keyboard like a monkey, trying to break the program,” Blackburn says. “Part of that is true, but we write software programs called Monkeys to do that for us so that we don’t have to hire real monkeys. Real monkeys are too difficult to manage and don’t usually pass the personal hygiene criteria!” In reality, Blackburn says, testing responsibilities are very technically challenging and often include complete development cycles of their own. He spends most of his time coming up with creative incentives to convince his team to believe in schedules for products that don’t yet exist, hiring great people to build strong team, and pounding on the products to find bugs before the customer see them.

According to Blackburn, the most critical thing you can do to succeed at Microsoft is to focus on what you believe is important. “It’s easy to get overwhelmed with everything going on around you, so first and foremost you need to stay focused,” he says. “What you focus on needs to be something you firmly believe in so that you’ll pursue it and defend your mission with a passion.”

He also thinks that one of the biggest differences between his

co-workers at Microsoft and those at his former workplace is the sense of ownership and the impact on the business that everyone shares. “We hire people who tend to become personally attached to the products and the success of the company, and the environment really perpetuates this,” Blackburn says. “It’s much easier to motivate a team at Microsoft than any other company I’ve been in.”

One of the most difficult parts of Blackburn’s job is staying ahead of the people who report to him, “Because there are so many smart people and technology is changing so quickly, it is a constant challenge to keep up,’’ he says. “ I hope that’s because I hire such great people!”

To succeed, Blackburn uses time management tactics and allocates a specific amount of time to education. “My personal goal is to spend at least 20 percent of my time learning new things through formal and informal methods.”

1. Patrick Blackburn thinks software testing is________. A. a routine and mundane job B. technically challenging

C. like a monkey punching keyboard D. partly done by monkeys

2. As a test manager, Blackburn’s work involves ________. A. managing real monkeys to do the testing

B. designing test papers used to test prospective employees C. finding faults with the products before they go to market D. convincing his team of the increasing aspect of their job

3. According to Patrick Blackburn, what it takes to succeed at Microsoft is ________.

A. focusing on something that you firmly believe in B. getting overwhelmed with everything going on around you C. coming up with creative incentives to convince other people D. cooperating with great people in a strong team

4. Why is it easier to motivate a team at Microsoft than any other company, according to Patrick Blackburn?

A. Because Microsoft offers higher salaries and more generous benefits than do other companies.

B. Because Microsoft employs people who tend to be more motivated and ambitious.

C. Because Microsoft provides equal opportunity to all employees. D. Because Microsoft creates environment in which everyone has a sense of ownership and can have an impact.

5. Blackburn keeps on learning new things mainly because_______. A. he has to keep up with new technology in order to lead his people better

B. he has to receive further education in order to get promotion to a

higher position

C. he has to know more than other smart managers in order to make better reports

D. he has to learn time management tactics in order to transfer to management department

标准答案：1.B 2.C 3.A 4.D

5.A