考研英语阅读理解模拟试题及解析5

考研阅读理解模拟试题及解析

Text 1

The United States is said to have a mixed economy because privately owned businesses and

government both play important roles. Indeed, some of the most enduring debates of American economic history focus on the relative roles of the public and private sectors.

The American free enterprise system emphasizes private ownership. Private businesses produce most goods and services, and almost two-thirds of the nation's total economic output goes to individuals for personal use (the remaining one-third is bought by government and business). The consumer role is so great, in fact, that the nation is sometimes characterized as having a “consumer economy.”

This emphasis on private ownership arises, in part, from American beliefs about personal freedom. From the time the nation was created, Americans have feared excessive government power, and they have sought to limit government's authority over individuals—including its role in the economic realm. In addition, Americans generally believe that an economy characterized by private ownership is likely to operate more efficiently than one with substantial government ownership.

When economic forces are unfettered, Americans believe, supply and demand determine the prices of goods and services. Prices, in turn, tell businesses what to produce; if people want more of a particular goods than the economy is producing, the price of the goods rises. That catches the attention of new or other companies that, sensing an opportunity to earn profits, start producing more of that goods. On the other hand, if people want less of the goods, prices fall and less competitive producers either go out of business or start producing different goods.

There are limits to free enterprise, however. Americans have always believed that some services are better performed by public rather than private enterprise. For instance, in the United States, government is primarily responsible for the administration of justice, education, the road system, and national defense.

In this mixed economy, individuals can help guide the economy not only through the choices they make as consumers but through the votes they cast for officials who shape economic policy. In recent years, consumers have voiced concerns about product safety, environmental threats posed by certain industrial practices, and potential health risks citizens may face; government has responded by creating agencies to protect consumer interests and promote the general public welfare.

1. In Line 1, Para. 4, the expression “economic forces are unfettered” means .

[A] prices are determined by consumers [B] supply and demand are allowed to operate freely

[C] economic regulations are not enforced [D] the economy is growing

2. The last paragraph tells us that .

[A] a mixed economy is guided by both individual citizens and the government

[B] the role of the government in a mixed economy is more important than that of the consumer

[C] individual Americans can influence the economy in multiple ways

[D] the government does not regard the concerns of individual citizens

3. According to the text, the U.S. is sometimes called a “consumer economy” because .

[A] most goods and services are produced by consumers

[B] privately owned business plays a major role in the economy

[C] individual consumption plays a major role in the economy

[D] consumers' rights are very important in the U.S.

4. This text is mainly about .

考研阅读理解模拟试题及解析

[A] how average Americans view their economic system

[B] the role of the government in the American economy

[C] how supply and demand determine prices in the American economy

[D] the roles of the public and private sectors in the American economy

5. From the first sentence of the third paragraph, we learn that .

[A] American political beliefs have influenced its economic system

[B] Americans fear excessive governmental control of the economy

[C] private ownership is important because of American beliefs in personal freedom

[D] personal freedom is the basis for private ownership in the U.S.

Text 2

The Internet began in the 1960s as a small network of academic and government computers primarily involved in research for the U.S. military. Originally limited to researchers at a handful of universities and government facilities, the Internet has quickly become a worldwide network providing users with information on a range of subjects and allowing them to purchase goods directly from companies via computer. By 1999, 84 million U.S. citizens had access to the Internet at home or work. More and more Americans are paying bills, shopping, ordering airline tickets, and purchasing stocks via computer over the Internet.

Internet banking is also becoming increasingly popular. With lower overhead costs in terms of staffing and office space, Internet banks are able to offer higher interest rates on deposits and charge lower rates on loans than traditional banks. “Brick and mortar" banks are increasingly offering online banking services via transactional websites to complement their traditional services. At present, 14 percent of Internet households conduct their banking by means of the Internet, and the figure is expected to double or triple during the next two or three years.

Increasing commercial use of the Internet has heightened security and privacy concerns. With a credit or debit card, an Internet user can order almost anything from an Internet site and have it delivered to their home or office. Companies doing business over the Internet need sophisticated security measures to protect credit card, bank account, and social security numbers from unauthorized access as they pass across the Internet. Any organization that connects it …… 此处隐藏：6218字，全部文档内容请下载后查看。喜欢就下载吧 ……