Don't ask whether the proposed 3 billion merger（兼并）of United Airlines and Continental will benefit you. It won't. Because this isn't about you. It's about them. Specifically, it's about the need for the airlines to raise fares and increase revenues after years of unreasonable discounting that led to billions in losses. "For the airlines, it's a good thing," says Matthew Jacob, an airline analyst（分析师）at Majestic Research. "By not having as much supply, they can fly fuller planes, charge higher prices and operate more efficiently. For the customers, well, I don't think you're going to see planes that are only two-thirds full or bargain—basement prices from airlines desperate to fill seats." In a joint press release, the new company promised "strong competitive pressure on fares," but in reality that pressure has been coming from budget carriers such as Southwest and JetBlue. Those of us in the back of the bus may have to worry about employees who have lost some seniority（老资格）in a joined workforce. Labor issues might be a problem, says Perkins, contributing editor of SmarterTravel.com. He remembers the United strike of 1985. "If and when they start making money," says Perkins, "those unions could turn around and say, 'We gave it up when you needed it. Where's our share?'" The potential for a strike worries him, since the new united company will hold 21% of the market and finding a replacement seat in the event of a strike could be next to impossible. As for fares, there's no place to go but up. After Delta merged with Northwest, fares on their combined routes rose at least 10%, according to George Hobica, founder of AirfareWatchdog.com. But that's no reason to panic. "The vast majority of leisure travel is optional," he says. "When airlines raise fares, people stop flying. So they'll have to be careful." Even if this merger prompts a US Airways link-up and even more integration, Hobica doesn't think we're going to see wild fare increases. But say goodbye to cheap escapes to Chicago—for dinner. "I've enjoyed the ride," says Hobica with a sigh. "But the party's over ." 1. What can be learned from the first paragraph?A) The merged airlines will increase their revenues soon after.B) After the merger, airlines will not use discounting to attract customers.C) After the merger, customers will find it hard to get a seat on a plane.D) Before the merger, airlines have suffered losses from discounting. 2. What does the phrase "basement prices" (Para. 1) mean?A) Basic prices.B) Very low prices. C) Prices of back seats.D) Prices of seats with poor view.3. What does Perkins worry about?A) The new airline company holds too much share of the market.B) The unemployed will start a strike against the new airline company. C) Unions want to share the profit if the new airline starts making money.D) The new airline company doesn't want to find new jobs for the unemployed.4. What does Hobica mean by "the party's over"(Para. 3)?A) The days when fares are cheap are gone. B) Leisure travel will be a thing of the past.C) He has no chance to enjoy the ride to Chicago.D) He has to say goodbye to parties held in Chicago.5. What conclusion can be drawn about the merger of the two airline companies?A) The merger will bring much pressure to other airline companies.B) The merger is a must for the two companies to survive in the market.C) The proposed merger may bring mixed blessings to the companies involved. D) The fare increase caused by the merger may bring about panic among customers.

Don't ask whether the proposed $3 billion merger（兼并）of United Airlines and Continental will benefit you. It won't. Because this isn't about you. It's about them. Specifically, it's about the need for the airlines to raise fares and increase revenues after years of unreasonable discounting that led to billions in losses. "For the airlines, it's a good thing," says Matthew Jacob, an airline analyst（分析师）at Majestic Research. "By not having as much supply, they can fly fuller planes, charge higher prices and operate more efficiently. For the customers, well, I don't think you're going to see planes that are only two-thirds full or bargain—basement prices   from airlines desperate to fill seats." In a joint press release, the new company promised "strong competitive pressure on fares," but in reality that pressure has been coming from budget carriers such as Southwest and JetBlue.   Those of us in the back of the bus may have to worry about employees who have lost some seniority（老资格）in a joined workforce. Labor issues might be a problem, says Perkins, contributing editor of SmarterTravel.com. He remembers the United strike of 1985. "If and when they start making money," says Perkins, "those unions could turn around and say, 'We gave it up when you needed it. Where's our share?'" The potential for a strike worries him, since the new united company will hold 21% of the market and finding a replacement seat in the event of a strike could be next to impossible.   As for fares, there's no place to go but up. After Delta merged with Northwest, fares on their combined routes rose at least 10%, according to George Hobica, founder of AirfareWatchdog.com. But that's no reason to panic. "The vast majority of leisure travel is optional," he says. "When airlines raise fares, people stop flying. So they'll have to be careful." Even if this merger prompts a US Airways link-up and even more integration, Hobica doesn't think we're going to see wild fare increases. But say goodbye to cheap escapes to Chicago—for dinner. "I've enjoyed the ride," says Hobica with a sigh. "But the party's over  ." 1. What can be learned from the first paragraph?A)  The merged airlines will increase their revenues soon after.B)  After the merger, airlines will not use discounting to attract customers.C)  After the merger, customers will find it hard to get a seat on a plane.D)  Before the merger, airlines have suffered losses from discounting. 2. What does the phrase "basement prices" (Para. 1) mean?A)  Basic prices.B)  Very low prices. C)  Prices of back seats.D)  Prices of seats with poor view.3. What does Perkins worry about?A)  The new airline company holds too much share of the market.B)  The unemployed will start a strike against the new airline company. C)  Unions want to share the profit if the new airline starts making money.D)  The new airline company doesn't want to find new jobs for the unemployed.4. What does Hobica mean by "the party's over"(Para. 3)?A)  The days when fares are cheap are gone. B)  Leisure travel will be a thing of the past.C)  He has no chance to enjoy the ride to Chicago.D)  He has to say goodbye to parties held in Chicago.5. What conclusion can be drawn about the merger of the two airline companies?A)  The merger will bring much pressure to other airline companies.B)  The merger is a must for the two companies to survive in the market.C)  The proposed merger may bring mixed blessings to the companies involved. D)  The fare increase caused by the merger may bring about panic among customers.