51. What does the author mainly discuss in the passage?
- A. The reasons behind the plunge of oil prices.
- B. Possible ways to stimulate the global economy.
- C. The impact of chape oil on global economic growth.
- D. The effect of falling oil prices on consumer spending.
答案：C
答案句：In the past, falling oil prices have given a boost to the world economy, but recent forecasts for global growth have been toned down. even as oil prices sink lower and lower. Does that mean the link between lower oil prices and growth has weakened? … Some experts say there are still good reasons to believe cheap oil should heat up the world economy. … Economist Carl Weinberg believes the negative effects of plunging oil prices are overwhelming the positive effects of cheaper oil. … Sara Johnson acknowledges that the global economic benefit from a fall in oil prices today is likely lower than it was in the past.
参考译文：过去，油价下跌曾推动世界经济增长，但近期全球增长预测已被下调，即使油价越来越低。这是否意味着油价下跌与增长之间的联系已经减弱？… 一些专家表示，仍有充分理由相信廉价石油应能提振世界经济。… 经济学家卡尔·温伯格认为，油价暴跌的负面影响超过了廉价石油的正面影响。… 萨拉·约翰逊承认，如今油价下跌带来的全球经济收益可能低于过去。
定位线索：题干“mainly discuss”→文章首段提出“Does that mean the link between lower oil prices and growth has weakened?”，全文围绕此展开；文中“falling oil prices”“cheap oil”“oil prices”对应选项C“chape oil”（应为cheap oil）；文中“boost to the world economy”“heat up the world economy”“negative effects”对应选项C“impact on global economic growth”。
解析：本题为主旨题。文章首段提出油价下跌与经济增长关系是否减弱的问题，随后各段分别讨论廉价油对经济的正面影响（第二段）、负面影响（第五段）以及收益降低的原因（第六、七段），整体围绕“油价下跌对全球经济增长的影响”展开。选项C正确概括了主旨。选项A“油价暴跌的原因”、B“刺激全球经济的方法”均非文章重点；选项D“对消费者支出的影响”只是部分内容，范围过窄。
52. Why do some experts believe cheap oil will stimulate the global economy?
- A. Manufacturers can produce consumer goods at a much lower cost.
- B. Lower oil prices have always given a big boost to the global economy.
- C. Oil prices may rise or fall but economic laws are not subject to change.
- D. Consumers will spend their savings from cheap oil on other commodities.
答案：D
答案句：Some experts say there are still good reasons to believe cheap oil should heat up the world economy. Consumers have more money in their pockets when they're paying less at the pump. They spend that money off other things, which stimulates the economy.
参考译文：一些专家表示，仍有充分理由相信廉价石油应能提振世界经济。当消费者在加油站支付更少时，他们口袋里有更多钱。他们把这些钱花在其他东西上，这刺激了经济。
定位线索：题干“some experts believe cheap oil will stimulate”→答案句“Some experts say there are still good reasons to believe cheap oil should heat up the world economy”；文中“Consumers have more money in their pockets”“They spend that money off other things”对应选项D“Consumers will spend their savings from cheap oil on other commodities”。
解析：本题为细节题。题干问专家认为廉价油刺激经济的原因，答案句明确指出消费者省下油钱后“spend that money off other things”，即把省下的钱花在其他商品上，与选项D“Consumers will spend their savings from cheap oil on other commodities”同义转述。选项A“生产成本降低”无中生有；选项B“总是大幅提振”过于绝对且与首段“recent forecasts...toned down”矛盾；选项C“经济规律不变”与原文无关。
53. What happens in many oil-exporting countries when oil prices go down?
- A. They suspend import of necessities from overseas.
- B. They reduce production drastically to boost oil prices.
- C. They use their money reserves to back up consumption.
- D. They try to stop their economy from going into free-fall.
答案：C
答案句：Not necessarily, say economic researcher Sara Johnson. ”Many oil producers built up huge reserve funds when prices were high, so when prices fall they will draw on their reserves to support government spending and subsidies (补贴) for their consumers.
参考译文：经济研究员萨拉·约翰逊说：“不一定。许多石油生产国在油价高时建立了巨额储备基金，因此当油价下跌时，它们将动用储备来支持政府支出和对消费者的补贴。”
定位线索：题干“oil-exporting countries when oil prices go down”→答案句“when prices fall they will draw on their reserves”；文中“draw on their reserves to support government spending and subsidies”对应选项C“They use their money reserves to back up consumption”。
解析：本题为细节题。题干问油价下跌时石油出口国的情况，答案句明确说“they will draw on their reserves to support government spending and subsidies”，即动用储备支持消费，与选项C“use their money reserves to back up consumption”对应。选项A“暂停进口必需品”无中生有；选项B“减产提价”原文未提；选项D“阻止经济自由落体”是委内瑞拉的情况，且是结果而非普遍做法，范围扩大。