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Passage Two
文章二
Many economists say U.S. growth will accelerate a bit soon,
很多經濟學家認為美國經濟增長將小幅加速，
which will likely make it easier for other nations to sell their products in the world's biggest economy.
這很可能使其他國家對這一世界第一經濟大國的商品出口更加容易。
Surging energy production is cutting costs and spurring U.S. economic growth,
能源生產的增加在降低了成本的同時促進了經濟的增長，
but rising interest rates are acting as brakes on expansion.
但是上漲的利息率卻起著反作用。
Some shops are busier, because the United States and other wealthy nations are shaking off the recession and making more economic contribution.
隨著美國以及一些其他富裕國家擺脫經濟蕭條，開始經濟扶持，一些企業業務變得繁忙起來。
Key sectors of the U.S. economy, like housing, are strongly influenced by interest rates.
美國關鍵經濟領域，比如房地產，極大地受到利率的影響。
Lower rates make it easier for families to borrow the money to buy homes
低利率令家庭更容易借到錢買房、
and businesses to get the equipment they need to expand.
企業更容易購置其擴張所需的設備。
With that in mind, the U.S. central bank has been endeavoring to stimulate the economy by cutting interest rates.
鑒于此，美國中央銀行努力通過降低利率來刺激經濟。
Part of that effort involves buying tens of billions of dollars of securities each month,
其中一項措施就是每月購買數百億美元的有價證券，
a program that is being reduced or "tapered."
這一舉措力度正被逐漸削減，
If the stimulus continues for too long, it might spark inflation, which could hurt the economy.
如果刺激政策持續時間過長，可能會導致通脹，這將對經濟不利。
A surge in U.S. energy production will help overcome the impact of rising interest rates.
美國能源產量的增加將緩沖上升利率的影響。
Oil industry experts say growing use of hydraulic fracturing or "fracking" has sharply increased U.S. production of oil and natural gas.
石油產業專家表示隨著液壓破裂法更加普遍的應用，美國石油和天然氣的產量大幅增加。
The wider use of fracking is boosting U.S. oil production,
液壓破裂法更廣泛的應用增加了美國的石油產量，
cutting the cost of crude oil imports, and leaving people with more money to consume.
降低了原油進口成本，讓人們有了更多的錢可以花在其他消費品上。
Critics say burning more fossil fuels may increase climate change
然而，批判人士稱燃燒化石燃料將加劇氣候變化。
and voice concerns about the impact of fracking on the environment and public health.
同時他們還擔心液壓破裂法的使用會對環境和大眾健康產生影響。
Industry spokesmen say the practice is safe,
能源行業發言人表示這一方法是安全的；
but opponents say some gas wells that use fracking technology have polluted nearby water wells,
但是反對者稱一些使用液壓破裂法技術的氣井污染了附近的水井，
and they urge more scientific study.
并呼吁進一步科學研究。
Questions 13 to 15 are based on the passage you have just heard.
問題13至問題15是基于你剛剛聽到的這篇短文的
Question 13. According to the passage, what is stimulating the U.S. economy?
問題13 根據短文內容，什么刺激著美國的經濟增長？
Question 14. What are the measures taken by the U.S. central bank to boost the economy?
問題14 美國中央銀行為了刺激經濟采取了什么措施？
Question 15. What do critics say about fracking?
問題15 批判人士對液壓破裂法的看法是什么？
譯文屬可可原創，僅供學習和交流使用，未經允許不得轉載
