Earlier this year, when America first sneezed, the European Central Bank (along with most private-sector economists) argued that the euro area was insulated from America´s slowdown and had little to worry about. This seems to have been wrong. In Germany there are fears about recession as business investment and retail sales tumble. Recent figures confirmed that Germany´ s GDP stagnated in the second quarter. Italy´ s GDP fell in the second quarter, and although growth has held up better in France and Spain, the growth in the euro area as a whole was close to zero in the quarter. Nobody is forecasting an actual recession in the euro area this year, but it is no longer expected to provide an engine for world growth.

    As for Japan, it is probably already in recession. Japan´ s GDP grew slightly in the first quarter Persistent deflation continues to be a severe problem. A revised measure of Japan´ s consumer-price index, to be published soon, is likely to show that deflation is worse than had been thought. （170 words）

    11. What does the 1st sentence mean?

    A. Earlier this year, America suffered from a cold.

    B. The European Central Bank believed it wouldn´ t be affected by US.

    C. The European Central Bank had little to worry about.

    D. The euro area was safe and sound.

    12. What were Germany and Italy´ s GDP in the second quarter?

    A. stagnatedB. fell

    C. sufferedD. halted and deceased

    13. What was the economic situation in France and Spain?

    A. Much better. B. Somewhat better.

    C. Close to zero. D. Much worse.

    14. Which of the following is NOT TRUE about Japan´ s economy?

    A. It is perhaps already in decline.

    B. Japan´ s GDP grew slightly in the first quarter.

    C. Deflation continues to be a severe problem.

    D. It is worse than that of US and Europe.

    15. The best title for the passage is

    A. The world economic situation

    B. The world economic recession

    C. The worse World economic situation

    D. The reason for world economic recession

    答案:11.B 12.D 13.B 14.D 15.B

    More cotton-padded tents are badly in need in Zhangye city in northwestern Gansu province, which was hit by twin tremors Saturday night, as most of the quake victims are now huddling in makeshift shelters in jolted areas where temperature drops to five degrees below zero Celsius at night.

    A total of 1,000 cotton-padded tents transported from the city of Changsha in central-south Hunan province by the Ministry of Civil Affairs are on the way and will arrive at the destinations within the next two to three days.

    The twin quakes, measuring 6.1 and 5.8 degrees on the Richter scale, jolted areas between Minle and Shandan counties of Zhangye city in Gansu at 20:41 and 20:48 hours on Saturday. The two counties are a direct distance of 33 km from Lanzhou, capital of the province.

    By Sunday afternoon, nine people were confirmed dead form the quakes, and six were injured seriously wounded and 37 slightly.

    According to preliminary statistics from Zhangye city, the quakes have caused an economic loss of 327 million yuan in 175 villages, flattening 14,322 houses, killing or injuring 16,219 heads of livestock and destroying 5,800 hectares of farmland.(191 words)

    16. What happened in northwestern Gansu province?

    A. It was hit by twin terroristsB. Most people became the quake victims

    C. It was hit by two successive quakes. D. It was five degrees below zero Celsius.

    17. How many cotton-padded tents are needed there?

    A. A total of 1,000B. About 1000

    C. More than 1000D. The more, the better.

    18. Where is the specific spot of the quake?

    A. Zhangye cityB. jolted areas between Minle and Shandan counties

    C. 175 villages D. 33 km from Lanzhou

    19. How many people became victims of the quake?

    A. Within one hundred.B. Thousands.

    C. Tens of thousands.D. Millions.

    20. Which of the following is in charge of tents transporting?

    A. ChangshaCityB. Hunan Province

    C. the Ministry of Civil AffairsD. Lanzhou, capital of the province

    答案: 16.C 17.C 18.B 19.C 20.C