Almost every year since the end of the financial crisis has started with rosy expectations among American forecasters, and this

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问题     Almost every year since the end of the financial crisis has started with rosy expectations among American forecasters, and this one is no different. Stock markets are buoyant, consumer confidence is improving, and economic seers are raising their growth forecasts for 2014. America’s S&P 500 share index is at a record high, after rising 30% in 2013—the biggest annual gain in almost two decades. Powered by America, global growth of close to 4% , on a purchasing-power-parity basis, seems possible. That would be nearly a full percentage point faster than 2013, and the best showing for several years.
    Yet amid the new-year cheer, it is worth remembering that almost every year since the financial crisis upbeat expectations have been disappointed. The biggest danger this time round is the optimism itself.
    All around the rich world, things are looking better. Britain’s recovery is gathering pace. Japan’s economy seems strong enough to cope with the imminent rise in its consumption tax. Even Europe’s prospects are less dismal. But America is driving this recovery.
    America’s growth rests on strong foundations. First, house-hold and corporate balance-sheets are in good shape. Unlike Europeans, who have barely reduced their private debt, Americans have put the hangover from the financial crisis behind them. The revival in house prices is testament to that. Second, thanks to cheap energy, years of wage restraint and a relatively weak dollar, America is competitive. These two factors have combined to produce faster job growth which, along with higher share prices, suggests stronger consumer spending and higher investment ahead. Finally, the fiscal squeeze is abating. In 2013 the federal government took 1. 75% of GDP out of the economy with tax rises and spending cuts. The recently agreed budget deal will help cut the fiscal squeeze to 0. 5% of GDP this year. All these factors could boost America’s growth to around 3% in 2014, well above its trend rate.
    More spending by American firms and households will, in turn, buoy demand for goods and services from everywhere from China to Germany. America’s appetite for foreign wares is not what it once was, but its economy is so big that faster spending will push up exports around the globe. The resulting support for growth will, in turn, improve domestic confidence from Europe to Japan.
All the factors can facilitate America’s growth EXCEPT that______.

选项 A、America has reduced its financial restraint
B、balance sheets of families and firms are in good condition
C、America has inexpensive energy supply and competitive currency
D、federal government has cut costs by increasing tax and cutting spending

答案D

解析 题干All these factors can facilitate America’s growth(所有这些因素可促进美国经济增长)相当于第四段最后一句all these factors could boost America’s growth。其中facilitate相当于boost。而该段的these factors肯定指代上文提到的内容,故答案应该从这一句的前面找。而在该段可以明显地看到first,second,finally等词,故可以判断出现了三个因素。原文的First,house-hold and corporate balance—sheets are in good shape与选项[B]balance sheets of families and firmsare in good condition相对应。其中house—hold and corporate balance—sheets相当于balance sheetsof families and firms;in good shape相当于in good condition。原文Second,thanks to cheap energy,years of wage restraint and a relatively weak dollar,America is competitive对应选项[C]Americahas inexpensive energy supply and competitive currency。其中cheap energy相当于inexpensive en—ergy supply;relatively weak dollar,…competitive相当于competitive currency(有竞争力的货币)。原文Finally,the fiscal squeeze is abating相当于选项[A]America has reduced its financialrestraint;其中,fiscal squeeze(财政压缩)=financial restraint(财务限制),abating(减少)=reduced(减少)。故未提及的是[D],即[D]为答案。该项中只有一个词是与原文不符的,即cutcosts减少开支,这与下文提到的cut the fiscal squeeze减少财政压缩(即增加财政支出)明显是相反的,故确定选项[D]为答案。
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