Question 10 is based on the conversation you have just heard.

听力原文

W: Mr. Smith, it’s a pleasure meeting you!

M: Nice to meet you, too. What can I do for you?

W: Well, I’m here to show you what our firm can do for you. Astro Consultants has branches in over 50 countries, offering different business services. (8) [We’re a global company with 75 years of history and our clients include some of the world’s largest companies.]

M: Thank you, Mrs. Houston. I know Astro Consultants is a famous company, but you said you would show me what you could do for me. Well, what exactly can your firm do for my company?

W: We advise businesses on all matters—from market analysis to legal issues. Anything a business like yours could need, our firm offers expert advice. Could I ask you, Mr. Smith, to tell me a little about your company and the challenges you face? That way, I could better respond as to how we can help you.

M: OK, sure. (9) [This is a family business started by my grandfather in 1950.] We employ just over 100 people. We manufacture and export stone for buildings and other constructions. Our clients usually want a special kind of stone cut in a special design, and that’s what we do in our factory. (10) [Our main challenge is that our national currency is rising and we’re losing competitive advantage to stone producers in India.]

W: I see. That’s very interesting. (11) [I would suggest that you let us first conduct a financial analysis of your company,] together with an analysis of your competitors in India. That way, we could offer the best advice on different ways forward for you.

10. What is the main problem with the man’s company?

解析：D。录音后半部分男士提到：我们面临的主要挑战是，我们国家的货币正在升值，这使我们逐渐失去竞争优势，从而有可能输给印度的石料生产商。由此可知，男士所在公司的主要问题就是逐渐失去竞争优势。D项与此表述一致，Loss of competitive edge是对原文中we’re losing competitive advantage的同义替换，故正确答案为D。

错项排除：A项在录音中未提及，故排除。B项的Legal disputes利用录音中出现的legal issues设置干扰，但录音中是说女士公司提供的服务，并非男士公司面临的问题，故排除。录音中男士提到design一词，但他说的是他们的客户通常需要那种切割成特殊形状的专用石头，并不是说产品设计过时，故C项错误。