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The number of women directors appointed to corpo-
rate boards in the United States has increased dramati-
cally, but the ratio of female to male directors remains
low. Although pressure to recruit women directors,
(5) unlike that to employ women in the general work force,
does not derive from legislation, it is nevertheless real.
Although small companies were the first to have
women directors, large corporations currently have a
higher percentage of women on their boards. When the
(10) chairs of these large corporations began recruiting
women to serve on boards, they initially sought women
who were chief executive officers (CEO’s) of large corpo-
rations. However, such women CEO’s are still rare. In
addition, the ideal of six CEO’s (female or male ) serving
(15) on the board of each of the largest corporations is realiz-
able only if every CEO serves on six boards. This raises
the specter of director overcommitment and the resultant
dilution of contribution. Consequently, the chairs next
sought women in business who had the equivalent of
(20) CEO experience. However, since it is only recently that
large numbers of women have begun to rise in manage-
ment, the chairs began to recruit women of high achieve-
ment outside the business world. Many such women are
well known for their contributions in government,
(25) education, and the nonprofit sector. The fact that the
women from these sectors who were appointed were
often acquaintances of the boards’ chairs seems quite
reasonable: chairs have always considered it important
for directors to interact comfortably in the boardroom.
30) Although many successful women from outside the
business world are unknown to corporate leaders, these
women are particularly qualified to serve on boards
because of the changing nature of corporations. Today a
company’s ability to be responsive to the concerns of the
35) community and the environment can influence that
company’s growth and survival. Women are uniquely
positioned to be responsive to some of these concerns.
Although conditions have changed, it should be remem-
bered that most directors of both sexes are over fifty
(40) years old. Women of that generation were often encour-
aged to direct their attention toward efforts to improve
the community. This fact is reflected in the career devel-
opment of most of the outstandingly successful women
of the generation now in their fifties, who currently serve
(45) on corporate boards: 25 percent are in education and
22 percent are in government, law, and the nonprofit
sector.
One organization of women directors is helping busi-
ness become more responsive to the changing needs of
(50) society by raising the level of corporate awareness about
social issues, such as problems with the economy,
government regulation, the aging population, and the
environment. This organization also serves as a resource
center of information on accomplished women who are
(55) potential candidates for corporate boards.
1. The author of the passage would be most likely to agree
with which of the following statements about
achievement of the “ideal” mentioned in line 14?
(A) It has only recently become a possibility.
(B) It would be easier to meet if more CEO’s were
women
(C) It is very close to being a reality for most corporate
boards.
(D) It might affect the quality of directors’ service to
corporations.
(E) It would be more realizable if CEO’s had a more
extensive range of business experience.
2. According to the passage, the pressure to appoint
women to corporate boards differs from the pressure to
employ women in the work force in which of the
following ways?
(A) Corporate boards are under less pressure because they
have such a small number of openings.
(B) Corporate boards have received less pressure from
stockholders, consumers, and workers within
companies to include women on their boards.
(C) Corporate boards have received less pressure from
the media and the public to include women on their
boards.
(D) Corporations have only recently been pressured to
include women on their boards.
(E) Corporations are not subject to statutory penalty for
failing to include women on their boards.
3. All of the following are examples of issues that the
organization described in the last paragraph would be
likely to advise corporations on EXCEPT
(A) long-term inflation
(B) health and safety regulations
(C) retirement and pension programs
(D) the energy shortage
(E) how to develop new markets
4. It can be inferred from the passage that, when seeking to
appoint new members to a corporation’s board, the chair
traditionally looked for candidates who
(A) had legal and governmental experience
(B) had experience dealing with community affairs
(C) could work easily with other members of the board
(D) were already involved in establishing policy for that
corporation
(E) had influential connections outside the business
world
5. According to the passage, which of the following is true
about women outside the business world who are
currently serving on corporate boards?
(A) Most do not serve on more than one board.
(B) A large percentage will eventually work on the staff
of corporations.
(C) Most were already known to the chairs of the board
to which they were appointed.
(D) A larger percentage are from government and law
than are from the nonprofit sector.
(E) Most are less than fifty years old.
6. The passage suggests that corporations of the past differ
from modern corporations in which of the following
ways?
(A) Corporations had greater input on government
policies affecting the business community.
(B) Corporations were less responsive to the financial
needs of their employees.
(C) The ability of a corporation to keep up with
changing markets was not a crucial factor in its
success.
(D) A corporation’s effectiveness in coping with
community needs was less likely to affect its growth
and prosperity.
(E) Corporations were subject to more stringent
government regulations.
7. Which of the following best describes the organization
of the passage?
(A) A problem is described, and then reasons why
various proposed solutions succeeded or failed are
discussed.
(B) A problem is described, and then an advantage of
resolving it is offered.
(C) A problem is described, and then reasons for its
continuing existence are summarized.
(D) The historical origins of a problem are described,
and then various measures that have successfully
resolved it are discussed.
(E) The causes of a problem are described, and then its
effects are discussed.
8. It can be inferred from the passage that factors making
women uniquely valuable members of modern corporate
boards would include which of the following?
Ⅰ. The nature of modern corporations
Ⅱ. The increased number of women CEO’s
Ⅲ. The careers pursued by women currently available to
serve on corporate boards
(A) Ⅰonly
(B) Ⅱonly
(C) Ⅲ only
(D) Ⅰand Ⅲ only
(E) Ⅰ,Ⅱ, and Ⅲ