Question 8 is based on the conversation you have just heard.

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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.

8. What do we learn about the woman’s company?

解析：A。根据选项中的long history、produces、offices和business partners，可推测出题目有可能询问某一企业的具体情况，听音时需要留意对话中提及的企业或公司。录音前部分女士提到：我们是一家有着75年历史的国际公司。由此可知，女士所在公司的历史比较悠久。A项表述与此一致，其中a fairly long history是对录音中with 75 years of history的近义替换，故正确答案为A。

错项排除：录音中间部分提到了constructions，但那是男士说自己的公司生产建筑所用的石料，并不是女士公司的业务，故B项错误。录音中女士说到，她所在公司在50多个国家都设有分公司（branches in over 50 countries），提供不同的商业服务，是一家有着75年历史（75 years of history）的国际公司，并非是拥有75个办事处或50多个商业伙伴，故C、D两项错误。