Most American students have said goodbye to fancy(高级的)fruits these days.In school canteens across the country, cheaper fruits like apples and oranges have taken their places.
“People are afraid to spend now,” said Linda Morrow, who owns a shoe and handbag store.“They don't know what the future will bring.”
During the financial crisis(金融危机), several of the country's biggest banks have been forced to sell or close.This has made lots of Americans afraid to buy expensive goods.
Samira Marino, a restaurant owner in Miami, has found everyone is ordering water instead of juice and more people are sharing meals.In more than two dozen interviews with The Associated Press across the country last month, Americans talked about their concerns, from worries about small businesses to doubts about simply making ends meet.
The crisis began last year.Experts think it was because US banks lend money too easily.Last year a lot of people and companies, who borrowed money, have found themselves unable to pay it back.This left the banks, as well as the people who put their money in the banks, without money.Since the banks borrowed money between themselves and even across borders(国界), the whole world was in trouble.
This month the US government agreed on a $700 billion plan to try to save the financial market.But no one is sure whether it will help or not.President George W.Bush has warned it will take some time.
Last week top finance officials from 20 countries promised to work together to find a way out of the money trouble.
(1)
Why are people in the US afraid to spend?
[ ]
A.
Because they think it's unnecessary.
B.
Because they don't have the habit of spending money.
C.
Because they worry about their future.
D.
Because they don't have enough money.
(2)
The fifth paragraph mainly ________.
[ ]
A.
tells what it is like in a crisis
B.
explains why there is a crisis
C.
warns people of the danger of the crisis
D.
asks people not to borrow money from banks
(3)
People feel ________ about the US plan to save the market.
Good afternoon.Welcome to England.We hope that your visit will be a pleasant one.Today I'd like to tell you something about a few of our laws.
The first one is about drinking.Now you may not buy wine in this country if you are under 18 years of age,nor may your friends buy it for you.
The second one,noise.Enjoy yourselves by yourself,but don't make unnecessary noise,especially at night.We ask you to respect other people who may wish you be quiet.
The third one,crossing the road.Be careful.The traffic moves on the left side of the road in this country.Use pedestrian crossing (人行横道) and don't take any chances when crossing the road.
My next point is about rubbish.It isn't lawful to drop rubbish in the street.When you have something to throw away,please put it in your pocket and take it home,or put it in a dustbin.
Finally,smoking.It is against the law to buy cigarettes if you are less than 16 years of age.
I'd like to finish by saying that if you need any kinds of help,you should contact the police.They will be glad to help you.You can call,write or go to ask any policemen.
(1)
Who do you think is most likely to make the speech?
A.A guide. B.A person who makes laws.
C.A teacher. D.An English officer.
[ ]
(2)
How many laws are discussed in the speech?
A.Four. B.Three. C.Six. D.Five.
[ ]
(3)
The main purpose (目的) of this speech is to ______.
A.tell people that those above 18 can drink and smoke in England
B.declare (宣布) the different laws in England
C.give advice to the travelers in England
D.warn people against going to England
[ ]
(4)
The underlined word“contact”in the last paragraph means“______”.
A.keep up B.go to see C.make a call to D.bring trouble
[ ]
(5)
From the passage we can learn______.
A.in England,if you are under 18 years of age,you can't buy wine,but your friends can buy it for you
B.you may not buy cigarettes unless you are above 16 years of age
C.because the traffic moves on the left side of the road,you must use the pedestrian crossing when crossing the road