_______ has overtaken Britain as the world’s largest economy since 1894.

If the current______ continues, our country may turn out to be the world s largest economy by 2020.

A．recovery

B．event

C．potential

D．trend

听力原文： The United States has the largest economy in the world. The size of an economy is usually described in terms of the Gross Domestic Product. The Gross Domestic Product, or G.D.P., is the value of all goods and services produced in a country in a year. In 2004, the United States had a G.D.P. estimated at close to 12 million dollars. What percentage of that was agriculture? The government says just 9/10 of one percent. Farm workers make up an even smaller percentage of American labor: 7/10 of one percent.

In 2004, almost 20 percent came from industry—and almost 80 percent came from services. The number of farms continues to decrease in America, whereas farm earnings have risen to record levels in recent years. Agricultural productivity continues to increase because of new technology and methods. But the Agriculture Department estimates that 9 percent of farm income last year came from government payments. That number is expected to decrease in the future.

Exports have provided American farmers with an average of about 25 percent of their money for the last 8 fifteen years. Canada and Mexico are two of the three biggest markets for American farmers. In fact, in 2002, Canada replaced Japan for the first time as the top buyer of American agricultural exports. The Department of Agriculture says exports to the European Union are slowing. But exports to other countries within the Americas and to Asia are growing.

(33)

A．American economy.

B．American agriculture.

C．American industry.

D．American GDP.

听力原文： As expected, the U.S. Federal Reserve has cut interest rates for the fifth time this year to try to avoid a recession in the world's largest economy. The Fed cut rates by a half percent, to four percent, its lowest level in seven years. In a statement, the Central Bank said further cuts are likely as the economy remains weak. Many economists think monetary authorities will continue to cut rates in the months ahead to revive economic growth, which has slowed considerably. Figures released Monday showed industrial production fell in April for the seventh consecutive month-the longest stretch signs the economy is starting to re-bound since the recession year of 1982. Other reports show the economy lost more jobs in April than at any time in the past decade. Still, other market-watchers say the Central Bank may hold off on further rate cuts amid signs the economy is starting to rebound. Reports show consumer confidence and retail sales are rising. Consumer spending makes up two-thirds of U. S. economic growth. The stock market is expected to rebound further in the days ahead if the Federal Open Market Committee keeps cutting interest rates, as companies and consumers benefit from lower borrowing costs.

The US Federal Reserve has cut rates by half percent, to _______ percent, its lowest in seven years.

A．five

B．four

C．seven

D．six

听力原文： A new United Nations report is predicting economic growth in Latin America this year will be slower than anticipated. The U. N, Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean released a survey Tuesday projecting three percent growth in the region. In February, the commission forecast a growth rate of three-point-eight per-cent. The regional economy grew by four percent last year.

Economists with the U.N. committee, based in Santiago, Chile, say the slowing U. S. economy is the primary factor in Latin America's economic slowdown.

The committee says a decline in direct foreign investment also played a part in the revised economic forecast. The U. N. agency is forecasting a good year for Brazil--which has Latin America's largest economy. The commission predicts the Brazilian economy Will expand by four percent this year. The Dominican Republic and Chile also get high marks. The U. N. office says Colombian, Ecuador and Venezuela will continue a steady recovery from economic instability.

The economy in the Latin American and Caribbean region grew by ________ last year.

A．3 percent

B．3.8 percent

C．5 percent

D．4 percent L

听力原文： A new United Nations report is predicting economic growth in Latin America this year will be slower than anticipated. The U. N. Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean released a survey Tuesday projecting three percent growth in the region. In February, the commission forecast a growth rate of three-point-eight percent. The regional economy grew by four percent last year.

Economists with the U. N. committee, based in Santiago, Chile, say the slowing U. S. economy is the primary factor in Latin America's economic slowdown.

The committee says a decline in direct foreign investment also played a part in the revised economic forecast. The U. N. agency is forecasting a good year for Brazil -- which has Latin America’s largest economy. The commission predicts the Brazilian economy will expand by four percent this year. The Dominican Republic and Chile also get high marks. The U. N. office says Colombian, Ecuador and Venezuela will continue a steady recovery from economic instability.

The economy in the Latin American and Caribbean region grew by ______ last year.

A．3 percent

B．8 percent

C．5 percent

D．4 percent

听力原文： A new United Nations report is predicting economic growth in Latin America this year will be slower than anticipated. The U. N, Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean released a survey Tuesday projecting three percent growth in the region. In February, the com-mission forecast a growth rate of three-point-eight per-cent. The regional economy grew by four percent last year.

Economists with the U.N. committee, based in Santiago, Chile, say the slowing U. S. economy is the primary factor in Latin America’s economic slowdown.

The committee says a decline in direct foreign investment also played a part in the revised economic forecast. The U. N. agency is forecasting a good year for Brazil--which has Latin America’s largest economy. The commission predicts the Brazilian economy Will expand by four percent this year. The Dominican Republic and Chile also get high marks. The U. N. office says Colombian, Ecuador and Venezuela will continue a steady recovery from economic instability.

________ people died in the powerful storm.

A．55

B．65

C．60

D．45

听力原文： A new United Nations report is predicting economic growth in Latin America this year will be slower than anticipated. The U. N, Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean released a survey Tuesday projecting three percent growth in the region. In February, the com-mission forecast a growth rate of three-point-eight per-cent. The regional economy grew by four percent last year.

Economists with the U.N. committee, based in Santiago, Chile, say the slowing U. S. economy is the primary factor in Latin America’s economic slowdown.

The committee says a decline in direct foreign investment also played a part in the revised economic forecast. The U. N. agency is forecasting a good year for Brazil--which has Latin America’s largest economy. The commission predicts the Brazilian economy Will expand by four percent this year. The Dominican Republic and Chile also get high marks. The U. N. office says Colombian, Ecuador and Venezuela will continue a steady recovery from economic instability.

The economy in the Latin American and Caribbean region grew by ________ last year.

A．3 percent

B．3.8 percent

C．5 percent

D．4 percent L