GMAT机考模拟阅读理解1(4)

　　Promising as it is for minority businesses, this increased patronage poses dangers for them, too. First, minority firms risk expanding too fast and overextending themselves financially, since most (30) are small concerns and, unlike large businesses, they often need to make substantial investments in new plants, staff, equipment, and the like in order to perform work subcontracted to them. If, there- after, their subcontracts are for some reason (35) reduced, such firms can face potentially crippling fixed expenses. The world of corporate purchasing can be frustrating for small entrepreneurs who get requests for elaborate formal estimates and bids. Both consume valuable time and resources, and a (40) small company s efforts must soon result in orders, or both the morale and the financial health of the business will suffer.

　　A second risk is that White-owned companies may seek to cash in on the increasing apportion- (45) ments through formation of joint ventures with minority-owned concerns. Of course, in many instances there are legitimate reasons for joint ventures; clearly, White and minority enterprises can team up to acquire business that neither could (50) acquire alone. But civil rights groups and minority business owners have complained to Con美国GREss about minorities being set up as "fronts" with White back- ing, rather than being accepted as full partners in legitimate joint ventures.

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