题目内容
The economy of the United States after 1952 was the economy of a well-fed, almost fully employed people. Despite occasional alarms, the country escaped any postwar depression and lived in a state of boom. An economic survey of the year 1955, a typical year of the 1950’s, may be typical as illustrating the rapid economic growth of the decade. The national output was value at 10 percent above that of 1954 (1955 output was estimated at 392 billion dollars). The production of manufacturers was about 40 percent more than it had averaged in the years immediately following World War 2. The country’s business spent about 30billion dollars for new factories and machinery. National income available for spending was almost a third greater than it had been it had been in 1950. Consumers spent about 256 billion dollars; that is about 700 million dollars a day or about twenty-five million dollars every hour, all round the clock. Sixty-five million people held jobs and only a little more than two million wanted jobs but could not find them.
Only agriculture complained that it was not sharing in the room. To some observers this was an ominous echo of the mid 1920’s. As farmer’s share of their products declined, marketing costs rose. But there were, among the observers of the national economy, a few who were not as confident as the majority. Those few seemed to fear that the boom could not last and would eventually lead to the opposite-depression.
72. What is the best title of the passage?
A) The Agricultural Trends of 1950’s
B) The Unemployment Rate of 1950’s
C) U.S. Economy in the 50’s
D) The Federal Budget of 1952
73. In Line 4, the word “boom” could best be replaced by______.
A) nearby explosion
B) thunderous noise
C) general public support
D) rapid economic growth
74. Which of the following were LEAST satisfied with the national economy in the 1950’s?
A) Economists
B) Framers
C) Politicians
D) Steelworkers
75. The passage states that income available for spending in the U.S. was greater in 1955 than in 1950. How much was it?
A) 60%
B) 50%
C) 33%
D) 90%
72---75 CDBC
解析
The Friday after the American holiday of Thanksgiving is called Black Friday. It’s said that it’s the day that store ledgers(分类账)move into the black and companies become profitable. On that day, retailers slash(砍) prices to get consumers to buy. It is also a time when many Americans start their Christmas shopping. VOA’s Elizabeth Lee tells us how the economy may affect consumers on that bargain day.
This day should be a shopper’s dream. “It’s just the deals, the sales and everything you can get for a lesser price,” said Sandy Thomas, a shopper. But it’s a nightmare for others. “I think it’s crazy. I’ve done all of my shopping throughout the week so I don’t have to go out on Friday,” she said. It’s called Black Friday, the start of the traditional Christmas shopping season in the United States. Every year it’s the day after the Thanksgiving holiday. Stores open before sunrise and there are deep discounts everywhere you look.
Last year a crowd of bargain-hunters killed a Wal-mart worker in a New York suburb. This year, many stores are increasing security while they slash prices. “This is a huge time for the retail stores,” said Fred Joutz from George Washington University. “This is when they begin making their profits for the year.”
Economics professor Fred Joutz says how Americans spend the weekend after Thanksgiving is a good indication of how consumers feel about the future.
With the unemployment rate above 10 percent, Joutz says Americans are saving more and spending less. Some retailers are attracting consumers by opening on Thanksgiving Day, when shops are traditionally closed. Other stores open their doors anywhere from midnight to four in the morning.
And shoppers will be lining up in front of the doors in order to be one of the first ones to walk through and get a big discount. Electronics like flat screen TVs are usually the first items to go. Sandy Thomas says it’s an annual family tradition and well worth it. “I just save maybe half of what I would have spent on a regular, you know, shopping trip,” she said.
Economists say U.S. consumers will spend money this Black Friday, but they will spend it more carefully.
1.By saying “This day should be a shopper’s dream”, the writer means ________ .
A.shoppers have longed for this day for a long time |
B.the shops will be very crowded on that day |
C.the shops will keep open until the daybreak of next day |
D.shoppers can buy many items at low prices on that day |
2.Why are many stores increasing security according to the passage?
A.Because there are too many people saving more and spending less. |
B.Because it’s a time when they begin making their profits for the year. |
C.Because last year a crowd of bargain-hunters caused an accident. |
D.Because many stores open their doors from midnight to four a.m. |
3.From the passage we know that_________.
A.Christmas shopping is traditional time and this year it is no exception. |
B.Electronics like flat screen TVs are usually least discounted. |
C.The economy only affects consumers on that bargain day. |
D.Thanksgiving is a good indication of how consumers feel about the future. |
4.We can find this passage in_________.
A.a science fiction |
B.a travel brochure |
C.an economic research report |
D.a book on psychology |
5.Why American people call it a black day?
A.Because they organize activities in honor of some great person. |
B.Because there are too many people going out shopping for Christmas. |
C.Too many people are celebrating Thanks giving. |
D.The sky is black that day. |
Sony and Toyota are struggling. But one brand name is booming (繁荣) in Japan during the economic slowdown—Mickey Mouse.
According to the company that runs Tokyo Disneyland, Japan’s busiest theme park will be more packed than ever over Christmas and New Year’s Day. Despite the bad economy, it’s already been a record year for an escape which is cheaper than the average night out in pricey Tokyo.
“Here, economic depression (萧条) seems a world away,” visitor Namie Katsunuma said. “This is the only place where I can totally forget the economic worries and hardships of my life.”
The single mother’s salary at an auto factory was cut in November but, with her $500 yearly pass in hand, she makes the 95-km journey from her home to Tokyo Disneyland every couple of months.
The park’s operator, Oriental Land Co, estimates (估算) a record 26.5 million people will visit Tokyo Disneyland and its nearby sister park, Disneysea, during the financial year ending in March. The company is forecasting sales of a record $4.2 billion, up almost 10 percent.
“In a way, the economy works well for Tokyo Disneyland,” said Hiroshi Watanabe, an economist at the Tokyo-based Daiwa Research Institute. “Because of the economic depression, people have stopped buying cars and houses or going to Hawaii, and Tokyo Disneyland offers an affordable and pleasant alternative.”
Around the world, Disney’s theme parks have been a bright spot for the brand this year as people seem to look for an escape from bad times.
1.According to the passage, what happens to Tokyo Disneyland this year?
A.Fewer people visit it. |
B.Less money is made. |
C.It attracts more visitors. |
D.Its sales have reached $4.2 billion. |
2.What can be the possible reason for Tokyo Disneyland’s boom?
A.It costs less money to play here than in any other theme park. |
B.People have a new understanding of amusement. |
C.The economic depression has changed people’s plans to spend money. |
D.Visitors seek an escape from economic depression. |
3.What does the underlined word “alternative” mean in the sixth paragraph?
A.choice. |
B.park. |
C.time. |
D.trip. |
4.According to the last paragraph, what is the writer probably going to write?
A.The theme parks that attract most visitors. |
B.More examples of success of Disney theme parks. |
C.Tokyo Disneyland’s plan for the next year. |
D.The economic depression in other companies. |