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. Consumers have more money in their pockets when they're paying less at the pump. They spend that money on other things, which stimulates the economy.The biggest gains go to countries that import most of their oil like China. Japan. and India. But doesn't the extra money in the pockets of those countries' consumers mean an equal loss in oil—producing countries, cancelling out the gains? Not necessarily, says 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.But not all oil producers have big reserves. In Venezuela, collapsing oil prices have sent its economy into free—fall.Economist Carl Weinberg believes the negative effects of plunging oil prices are overwhelming the positive effects of cheaper oil. The implication is a sharp decline in global trade, which has plunged partly because oil—producing nations can't afford to import as much as they used to.Sara Johnson acknowledges that the global economic benefit from a fall in oil prices today is likely lower than it was in the past. One reason is that more countries are big oil producers now, so the nations suffering from the price drop account for a larger share of the global economy.Consumers, in the U.S. at least, are acting cautiously with the savings they're getting at the gas pump, as the memory of the recent great recession is still fresh in their mind. And a number of oil—producing countries are trimming their gasoline subsidies and raising taxes, so the net savings for global consumers is not as big as the oil price plunge might suggest.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 cheap oil on global economic growth.D.The effect of falling oil prices on consumer spending.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.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.How does Carl Weinberg view the current oil price plunge?A.It is one that has seen no parallel in economic history.B.Its negative effects more than cancel out its positive effects.C.It still has a chance to give rise to a boom in the global economy.D.Its effects on the global economy go against existing economic laws.Why haven't falling oil prices boosted the global economy as they did before?A.People are not spending all the money they save on gas.B.The global economy is likely to undergo another recession.C.Oil importers account for a larger portion of the global economy.D.People the world over are afraid of a further plunge in oil prices..
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. Consumers have more money in their pockets when they're paying less at the pump. They spend that money on other things, which stimulates the economy.
The biggest gains go to countries that import most of their oil like China. Japan. and India. But doesn't the extra money in the pockets of those countries' consumers mean an equal loss in oil—producing countries, cancelling out the gains? Not necessarily, says 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.
But not all oil producers have big reserves. In Venezuela, collapsing oil prices have sent its economy into free—fall.
Economist Carl Weinberg believes the negative effects of plunging oil prices are overwhelming the positive effects of cheaper oil. The implication is a sharp decline in global trade, which has plunged partly because oil—producing nations can't afford to import as much as they used to.
Sara Johnson acknowledges that the global economic benefit from a fall in oil prices today is likely lower than it was in the past. One reason is that more countries are big oil producers now, so the nations suffering from the price drop account for a larger share of the global economy.
Consumers, in the U.S. at least, are acting cautiously with the savings they're getting at the gas pump, as the memory of the recent great recession is still fresh in their mind. And a number of oil—producing countries are trimming their gasoline subsidies and raising taxes, so the net savings for global consumers is not as big as the oil price plunge might suggest.
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 cheap oil on global economic growth.
D.The effect of falling oil prices on consumer spending.
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.
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.
How does Carl Weinberg view the current oil price plunge?
A.It is one that has seen no parallel in economic history.
B.Its negative effects more than cancel out its positive effects.
C.It still has a chance to give rise to a boom in the global economy.
D.Its effects on the global economy go against existing economic laws.
Why haven't falling oil prices boosted the global economy as they did before?
A.People are not spending all the money they save on gas.
B.The global economy is likely to undergo another recession.
C.Oil importers account for a larger portion of the global economy.
D.People the world over are afraid of a further plunge in oil prices.
.题目解答
答案
- (1)C
- (2)D
- (3)C
- (4)B
- (5)C
解析
考查要点:本题主要考查学生对文章主旨、细节理解及推理判断能力。文章围绕“油价下跌对全球经济的影响”展开,需准确把握不同专家观点及现象背后的经济逻辑。
解题核心:
- 主旨题需通篇把握文章核心矛盾(油价下跌与经济增长的关联变化)。
- 细节题需定位关键句,如“消费者将节省用于其他消费”“产油国使用储备金”等。
- 推理题需结合上下文,如“为何油价下跌刺激作用减弱”需综合多段信息。
破题关键:注意区分不同国家(石油进口国 vs. 出口国)的经济表现差异,以及当前经济环境(如消费者心态、多国为产油国)对油价影响传导机制的改变。
第(1)题
问题:作者主要讨论什么?
关键句:首段提出矛盾(油价下跌但经济增速放缓),后文分析原因(产油国与进口国的经济表现差异、消费者行为变化)。
选项分析:
- C(廉价石油对经济增长的影响)直接对应文章核心矛盾,其他选项(如A油价下跌原因、B刺激经济的方法)未全面概括。
第(2)题
问题:为何专家认为廉价石油能刺激经济?
关键句:第2段“Consumers have more money... stimulate the economy.”
选项分析:
- D(消费者将节省用于其他消费)直接对应原文,其他选项(如A生产成本降低)未提及。
第(3)题
问题:油价下跌时产油国如何应对?
关键句:第3段“draw on their reserves to support government spending and subsidies”
选项分析:
- C(使用储备金支持消费)与Sara Johnson的观点一致,其他选项(如A停止进口)未提及。
第(4)题
问题:Carl Weinberg如何看待油价暴跌?
关键句:第4段“negative effects... overwhelming the positive effects”
选项分析:
- B(负面影响超过正面影响)直接对应原文,其他选项(如D违背经济规律)未提及。
第(5)题
问题:为何油价下跌刺激作用减弱?
关键句:第5段“more countries are big oil producers now”“consumers are acting cautiously”
选项分析:
- C(产油国占比扩大)与Sara Johnson的解释一致,其他选项(如A消费不积极)仅部分相关。