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  3. The potential economic benefits of financial literacy extend beyond government budgets. More in formed consumers--not just inves

The potential economic benefits of financial literacy extend beyond government budgets. More in formed consumers--not just inves

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问题      The potential economic benefits of financial literacy extend beyond government budgets. More in formed consumers--not just investors--would increase the efficiency of markets and help keep dishonest sellers at bay. If financial illiteracy leads to greater debt, then increased consumption today will be at the expense of less later, as interest payments weigh on household budgets.
      Once people make financial decisions, they tend to stick to them even if a change might make more sense. Watson Wyatt, a consultancy, says that about half of Britons in defined-contribution pension: plans (in which retirement benefits depend on investments’ performance) never change the allocation of assets. One-third have not even reviewed them for several years. There is evidence that such inertia is a feature of other financial markets, including the one for mortgages.
      America has had a variety of financial-education programmes for some time, generally relying on the private sector. Most large companies and many smaller ones put on investment seminars for their employees, run by outside experts. Many of those who attend these seminars later increase their saving for retirement.
     However, there is a fine line between education and advice. Although education and sales are meant to be strictly separated, many of those giving the seminars work for firms that sell financial products. Some employers have been hesitant to sponsor financial seminars for fear of being sued, notes Lynn Dudley of the American Benefits Council, a lobby group. Two bills now before Congress at tempt to deal with this question. Meanwhile, a growing number of pension schemes offer "lifestyle" or "life-cycle" funds.
      Despite all the activity, experts caution against putting too much faith in financial education. "This is not the silver bullet that some people think it is, "says Ms. Smith. No campaign can hope to reach everyone. In addition, although those with more knowledge of finance tend to save more and make higher returns on their long-term investments, the strength of the effect is not clear.
     Annamaria Lusardi ,an economist at Dartmouth College, and Olivia Mitchell .of the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, have found that few employees attend financial seminars even when they are offered in the workplace. Skepticism about hidden sales pitches and slanted advice abounds, particularly in the waive of recent mutual-fund scandals. "Workers are entitled to believe this is not an objective voice, "says Ms. Lusardi. Many who attend do not absorb what they hear, for want of under standing or interest.
What will probably be the result of greater debt caused by financial illiteracy?
选项 A、Consumers will decrease the efficiency of markets.
B、Dishonest sellers will take advantage of consumers with greater debt.
C、They will consume less tomorrow, if they consume more today.
D、The household budgets will balance.
答案C
解析 根据文章第一段的最后一句可知不懂理财会导致债务的增加，这就意味着由于现在债务的增加会使未来要偿付更多的利息，而这些利息就要添加在家庭预算上，这就使得未来的消费要减少，因此选C，而排除D。A和D与第一段第二句内容不符，文中说懂理财的消费者会增加市场效率，让不诚实的销售商走投无路。
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