NATIONS, like people, occasionally get the blues; and right now the United States, normally the world’s most self-confident place, is glum. Eight out of ten Americans think their country is heading in the wrong direction. The hapless George Bush is partly to blame for this: his approval ratings are now sub-Nixonian. But many are concerned not so much about a failed president as about a failing nation.
One source of angst is the sorry state of American capitalism ( see article). The" Washington consensus" told the world that open markets and deregulation would solve its problems. Yet American house prices are falling faster than during the Depression, petrol is more expensive than in the 1970s, banks are collapsing, the euro is kicking sand in the dollar’s face, credit is scarce, recession and inflation both threaten the economy, consumer confidence is an oxymoron an
NATIONS, like people, occasionally get the blues; and right now the United States, normally the world’s most self-confident place, is glum. Eight out of ten Americans think their country is heading in the wrong direction. The hapless George Bush is partly to blame for this: his approval ratings are now sub-Nixonian. But many are concerned not so much about a failed president as about a failing nation.
One source of angst is the sorry state of American capitalism ( see article). The" Washington consensus" told the world that open markets and deregulation would solve its problems. Yet American house prices are falling faster than during the Depression, petrol is more expensive than in the 1970s, banks are collapsing, the euro is kicking sand in the dollar’s face, credit is scarce, recession and inflation both threaten the economy, consumer confidence is an oxymoron and Belgians have jus
Two or three times a week, she had a customer in (21) she began to take an interest. He was a middle-aged man (22) spectacles and a brown beard. He spoke English with a strong German accent. His clothes were worn and wrinkled, but he looked neat and had very good manners. He always bought two (23) of stale bread. He never asked for anything (24) stale bread; it cost a lot less than (25) bread. Once Miss Albert noticed a red and brown stain on his finger. She was sure that he was an artist and very poor. No doubt he lived in an attic, where he (26) pictures and ate stale bread and thought of good things to eat in the bakery. Often when Miss Albert sat down to her evening meal, she (27) sigh and wish the artist might share her food instead of eating his dry bread. One day the customer came in (28) usual and asked for his stale bread. As the sudden noise of the fire engine made him hurry to the door, Miss Albert (29) <
A. raw
B. new
C. fresh
D. latest
Passage 2
The United Nations, an accepted authority on population levels and trends, estimates that the world population reached 5.3 billion in 1990, and is increasing annually by more than 90 million persons. The rate of increase, 1.7 percent per year, has fallen below the peak rate of 2 percent per year attained by 1970. However, absolute yearly increments are not expected to start declining until after the year 2000.
Estimates of world population before 1900 are based on fragmentary (不全的；不完整的) data, but scholars agree that average population growth approached approximately 0.002 percent per year. Growth was delayed and influenced by climate, food supply, disease, and war.
Starting in the 17th century, great advances in scientific knowledge, agriculture, industry, medicine, and social organization made possible substantial increases in population. Inanimate (无生命的) energy gradually replaced human and animal labor. People slowly acquired t
A. more than 90 million persons
B. 0. 002 percent per year
C. 5.3 billion
D. 500 million
In general, people talk about two groups of colors: warm colors and cool colors. Researchers in psychology think that there are also two groups of people: people who prefer warm colors and people who prefer cool colors.
The warm colors are red, orange and yellow. Where there are warm colors and a lot of light, people usually want to be active. People think that red, for example, is exciting. Sociable people, those who like to be with others, like red. The cool colors are green, blue and violet. These colors, unlike warm colors, are relaxing. Where there are cool colors, people are usually quiet. People who like to spend time alone often prefer blue.
Red may be exciting, but one researcher says that time seems to pass more slowly in a room with warm colors than in a room with cool colors. He suggests that a warm color, such as red or orange is a good color for a living room or restaurant. People who are relaxing or eating do not want time to pass quickly. Cool colo
A. Sociable people like warm colors.
B. Warm colors can make people excited.
C. People who like to be with others don’t like red.
D. Where there are warm colors, people want to be active.
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