2004年Text 3

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. 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 a 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.

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.

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 Deadly, a Bay Area real-estate broker. And most folks still feel pretty comfortable about their ability to find and keep a job.

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.

54. 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.

[答案] A

[解題思路]

做本題的關鍵不在于了解"silver linings"這個詞組的含義，而在于準確定位對應信息，即文章的最后一段。縱觀該段，主要談論的內容是經濟不景氣帶來的一些好處，如利率降低有利于購房、高級餐廳的價格降低等，四個選項中只有A選項符合最后一段的意思。"silver linings"這個詞組的含義也正是"黑暗中的一線希望"。B選項雖然在原文中有所提及，但這與目前的經濟形勢無關。C、D選項在文中沒有提及，考生不要盲目地用自己的經濟知識去判斷，而要緊緊圍繞原文。

[題目譯文]

為什么很多人從經濟減速中看到了希望？
[A] 他們會以一些方式獲益。
[B] 股票市場顯出了復蘇跡象。
[C] 這種經濟減速通常是經濟繁榮的前兆。
[D] 購買力會得到加強。

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