2004 T3

文章¶

第一段¶

When it comes to the slowing economy, Ellen Spero isn't biting her nails just yet. But the 47-year-old manicurist isn't cutting, filing or polishing as many nails as she'd like to, either. Most of her clients spend $12 to $50 weekly, but last month two longtime customers suddenly stopped showing up. Spero blames the softening economy. "I'm a good economic indicator," she says. "I provide a service that people can do without when they're concerned about saving some dollars." So Spero is downscaling, shopping at middle-brow Dillard's department store near her suburban Cleveland home, instead of Neiman Marcus. "I don't know if other clients are going to abandon me, too," she says.

When it comes to ... → 当谈到/涉及到
not ... just yet → 还没有
filing → n. 存档，归档；存档档案，归档记录；锉屑
polishing → 抛光
showing up → 露面；露出；揭露
indicator → n. 标志，迹象；方向灯
downscale → v. 缩小……的尺寸（或规模）；降低……的程度
suburban → adj. 郊区的，城郊的

第二段¶

Even before Alan Greenspan's admission that America's red-hot economy is cooling, lots of working folks had already seen signs of the slowdown themselves. From car dealerships to Gap outlets, sales have been lagging for months as shoppers temper their spending. For retailers, who last year took in 24 percent of their revenue between Thanksgiving and Christmas, the cautious approach is coming at a crucial time. Already, experts say, holiday sales are off 7 percent from last year's pace. But don't sound any alarms just yet. Consumers seem only mildly concerned, not panicked, and many say they remain optimistic about the economy's long-term prospects even as they do some modest belt-tightening.

dealership → n. 代理权，经销权
outlet → n. 经销店；出路
lag → v. 落后
temper → v. 使缓和，调节（文中指“减少”）
sound any alarms → 拉响警报

第三段¶

Consumers say they're not in despair because, despite the dreadful headlines, their own fortunes still feel pretty good. Home prices are holding steady in most regions. In Manhattan, "there's a new gold rush happening in the $4 million to $10 million range, predominantly fed by Wall Street bonuses," says broker Barbara Corcoran. In San Francisco, prices are still rising even as frenzied overbidding quiets. "Instead of 20 to 30 offers, now maybe you only get two or three," says John Tealdi, a Bay Area real-estate broker. And most folks still feel pretty comfortable about their ability to find and keep a job.

despair → n. 绝望；令人绝望的人或事
desperate → adj. 不顾一切的；渴望的；绝望的，无望的
dreadful → adj. 糟糕透顶的；可怕的，令人畏惧的
fortune → 财富
predominantly → adv. 绝大多数，主要地
broker → n. 经纪人，中间人
frenzied → adj. 疯狂的，狂暴的，狂热的
quiet → 安静的

第四段¶

Many folks see silver linings to this slowdown. Potential home buyers would cheer for lower interest rates. Employers wouldn't mind a little fewer bubbles in the job market. Many consumers seem to have been influenced by stock-market swings, which investors now view as a necessary ingredient to a sustained boom. Diners might see an upside, too. Getting a table at Manhattan's hot new Alain Ducasse restaurant used to be impossible. Not anymore. For that, Greenspan & Co. may still be worth toasting.

Potential → adj. 潜在的，可能的 n. 潜力，可能性
seem to do → 好像要做某事（相当于 appear）
stock-market → 股票市场
ingredient → n. （食品的）成分，原料；要素，因素
upside → n. 好的一面，优势；（股票价格）上涨
used to do sth. → 过去常常做某事
toasting → v. 为……举杯祝酒

题目¶

31¶

By "Ellen Spero isn’t biting her nails just yet" (Lines 1-2, Paragraph 1), the author means
.
[A] Spero can hardly maintain her business

[B] Spero is too much engaged in her work

[C] Spero has grown out of her bad habit

[D] Spero is not in a desperate situation

32¶

How do the public feel about the current economic situation?

[A] Optimistic.

[B] Confused.

[C] Carefree.

[D] Panicked.

33¶

When mentioning "the $4 million to $10 million range" (Lines 3-4, Paragraph 3) the author is talking about .

[A] gold market

[B] real estate

[C] stock exchange

[D] venture investment

34¶

Why can many people see "silver linings" to the economic slowdown?

[A] They would benefit in certain ways.

[B] The stock market shows signs of recovery.

[C] Such a slowdown usually precedes a boom.

[D] The purchasing power would be enhanced.

35¶

To which of the following is the author likely to agree?

[A] A new boom, on the horizon.

[B] Tighten the belt, the single remedy.

[C] Caution all right, panic not.

[D] The more ventures, the more chances.

remedy → n. 解决方法

单词记忆¶

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