【正确答案】
A
【答案解析】[听力原文]
A massive storm that dumped about a half-meter of snow from Virginia to Maine did more than frustrate motorists. {{U}}It added to the woes of retailers that were already bracing for weak holiday sales as the United States struggles to emerge from the deepest and longest recession of the post-World War II era.{{/U}}
{{U}}The storm's timing could hardly have been worse, blanketing the most-populous regions of the United States on the last weekend before Christmas, when millions of Americans are preparing to exchange gifts.{{/U}}
Even before the storm, the National Retail Federation was predicting a one percent drop in US holiday sales compared to last year. Although an economic recovery is believed to be underway, US unemployment remains stubbornly high and consumers appear more focused on saving and debt reduction than spending.
[解析] 本题考查对新闻内容的理解。由原文划线部分可知，这场大雪对美国的零售业来讲是个很大的打击，影响了人们出行购物。因此A为正确答案。