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 high er 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.
Which of the following is true according to the last paragraph?

选项 A、China and Germany may increase their demand.
B、America’s economy is not what it used to be.
C、Faster spending may decrease imports from the world.
D、Countries like Europe and Japan may be more optimistic.

答案D

解析 选项A“中国和德国可能增加它们的需求”,不符合第一句“More spending by American firms and households will, in turn,buoy demand for goods and services from everywhere from China to Germany”所表达的内容。选项B中的“America’s economy”是对第二句中“America’s appetite for foreign wares”的夸大。选项C中的“decrease imports”不等于第二句中的“push up exports”,二者并无直接关系,不能对应替换。选项D符合最后一句“The resulting support for growth will, in turn,improve domestic confidence from Europe to Japan”所表达的内容。“提高欧洲各国和日本的国内信心”,就意味着“可能变得更乐观”。
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