In cities with rent control, the city government sets the maximum rent that a landlord can charge for an apartment. Supporters o

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问题     In cities with rent control, the city government sets the maximum rent that a landlord can charge for an apartment. Supporters of rent control argue that it protects people who are living in apartments. Their rent cannot increase; therefore, they are not in danger of losing their homes. However, the critics say that after a long time, rent control may have negative effects. Landlords know that they cannot increase their profits. Therefore, they invest in other businesses where they can increase their profits. They do not invest in new buildings which would also be rent-controlled. As a result, new apartments are not built. Many people who need apartments cannot find any.  According to the critics, the end result of rent control is a shortage of apartments in the city.
    Some theorists argue that the minimum wage law can cause problems in the same way. The federal government sets the minimum that an employer must pay workers. The minimum helps people who generally look for unskilled, low-paying jobs. However, if the minimum is high, employers may hire fewer workers. They will replace workers with machinery. The price, Which is the wage that employers must pay, increases. Therefore, other things being equal, the number of workers that employers want decreases.  Thus, critics claim, an increase in the minimum wage may cause unemployment. Some poor people may find themselves without jobs instead of with jobs at the minimum wage.
    Supporters of the minimum wage say that it helps people keep their dignity. Because of the law, workers cannot sell their services for less than the minimum. Furthermore, employers cannot force workers to accept jobs at unfair wages.
    Economic theory predicts the results of economic decisions such as decisions about farm production, rent control, and the minimum wage. The predictions may be correct only if "other things are equal". Economists do not agree on some of the predictions. They also do not agree on the value of different decisions. Some economists support a particular decision while others criticize it. Economists do agree, however, that there are no simple answers to economic questions.
The passage tells us ______.

选项 A、the relationship between supply and demand
B、the possible results of government controls
C、the necessity of government control
D、the urgency of getting rid of government controls

答案B

解析 主旨题。本文从rent control和最低工资控制两方面讨论了政府控制可能造成的后果。进一步说,许多政府行为可能保护某些利益,但从长远看,也会带来许多问题。B项正确。A项说(文章叙述了)供需关系;C项说(文章叙述了)政府控制的必要性;D项说(文章叙述了)摆脱政府控制的紧迫性。文章并没有深入谈及这三项内容,显然不能成为文章主旨。
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