Question 9 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.

9. What does the man say about his own company?

解析：C。录音中间部分男士提到：我们公司是我祖父在1950年创办的家族企业。由此可知，男士的公司是家族企业。C项中的a family business为原词复现，故正确答案为C。

错项排除：录音中男士说到，他们雇用了100多名员工，并非大约50名，也不是拥有100多年的历史。fifty是录音开头女士介绍自己公司时提到的数字，指的是她们公司有50多个分公司，故A、D两项错误。男士说到，他的公司是由祖父（grandfather）创办的，并非是父亲（father），故B项错误。