考研閱讀真題范本
Whenit comes to the slowing economy, Ellen Spero isn't biting her nails just yet.But the 47-year-old manicurist isn't cutting, filling or polishing as manynails as she'd like to, either. Most of herclients spend $12 to $50 weekly, but last month two longtime customers suddenlystopped showing up. Spero blames the softening economy. "I'm a good economicindicator," she says, "I provide a service that people can do withoutwhen they're concerned about saving some dollars." So Spero is downscaling, shopping at middle-brow Dillard's department storenear her suburban Clevelandhome, instead of Neiman Marcus. "I don't know if other clients are goingto abandon me, too," she says.
Even before Alan Greenspan's admission that America's red-hot economy iscooling, lots of working folks had already seen signs of the slowdownthemselves. From car dealerships to Gap outlets, sales have been lagging formonths as shoppers temper their spending. For retailers, who last year took in24 percent of their revenue between Thanksgiving and Christmas, the cautiousapproach is coming at a crucial time. Already, experts say, holiday sales areoff 7 percent from last year's pace. But don't sound any alarms just yet. Consumersseem only concerned, not panicked, and many say they remain optimistic aboutthe economy's long-term prospects even as they do some modest belt-tightening.
Consumers say they're not in despair because, despite thedreadful headlines, their own fortunes still feel pretty good. Home prices areholding steady in most regions. In Manhattan,"there's a new gold rush happening in the $4 million to $10 million range,predominantly fed by Wall Street bonuses," says broker Barbara Corcoran.In San Francisco,prices are still rising even as frenziedoverbidding quiets. "Instead of20 to 30 offers, now maybe you only get two or three," says John Tealdi, aBay Area real-estate broker. Andmost folks still feel pretty comfortable about their ability to find and keep ajob.
Many folks see silverlinings to this slowdown. Potential home buyers would cheer for lowerinterest rates. Employers wouldn't mind a little fewer bubbles in the job market. Many consumers seem to have beeninfluenced by stock-market swings,which investors now view as a necessary ingredientto a sustained boom. Diners might see an upside, too. Getting a table at Manhattan's hot new AlainDucasse restaurant need to be impossible. Not anymore. For that, Greenspan& Co. may still be worth toasting.
51. By "EllenSpero isn't biting her nails just yet" (line 1, paragraph 1), the authormeans ________.
[A] Spero can hardly maintain her business
[B] Spero is too much engaged in her work
[C] Spero has grown out of her bad habit
[D] Spero is not in a desperate situation
52. How do thepublic feel about the current economic situation?
[A] Optimistic.
[B] Confused.
[C] Carefree.
[D] Panicked.
53. When mentioning"the $4 million to $10 million range" (lines 2~3, paragraph 3) theauthor is talking about ________.
[A] gold market
[B] real estate
[C] stock exchange
[D] venture investment
54. Why can manypeople see "silver linings" to the economic showdown?
[A] They would benefit in certain ways.
[B] The stock market shows signs of recovery.
[C] Such a slowdown usually precedes a boom.
[D] The purchasing power would be enhanced.
55. To which of thefollowing is the author likely to agree?
[A] A new boom, on the horizon.
[B] Tighten the belt, the single remedy.
[C] Caution all right, panic not.
[D] The more ventures, the more chances.
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