单选题 One phase of the business cycle is the expansion phase. This phase is a two-fold one, including recovery and prosperity. During the recovery period there is ever-growing expansion of existing facilities, and new facilities for production are created. More businesses are created and older ones expanded. Improvements of various kinds are made. There is an ever increasing optimism about the future of economic growth. Much capital is invested in machinery or "heavy" industry. More labor is employed. More raw materials are required. As one part of the economy develops, other parts are affected. For example, a great expansion in automobiles results in an expansion of the steel, glass, and rubber industries. Roads are required. Thus the cement and machinery industries are stimulated. Demand for labor and materials results in greater prosperity for workers and suppliers of raw materials, including farmers. This increases purchasing power and the volume of goods bought and sold. Thus prosperity is diffused among the various segments of the population. This prosperity period may continue to rise and rise without an apparent end. However, a time comes when this phase reaches a peak and stops spiraling upwards. This is the end of the expansion phase.

单选题 We may assume that in the next paragraph the writer will discuss ______.

【正确答案】 D

【答案解析】我们也许认为在下一个自然段作者将讨论萧条期。作者在这段话的末尾说，繁荣长期地持续下去，没有明显的尽头。然而，繁荣阶段一旦达到顶峰，不再螺旋式上升，就会出现一个时期，这便是发展阶段的结束。根据经济学常识判断，下文将会讨论萧条期。

单选题 The title below that best expresses the main idea of this passage is ______.

单选题 Prosperity in one industry ______.

【正确答案】 A

【答案解析】一个产业的繁荣会在其他许多产业中有所反映。作者在文中说，汽车产业的大发展导致了钢铁、玻璃和橡胶产业的发展。对道路的需求促进了水泥和机械产业的发展。

单选题 Which of the following industries will probably be a good indicator of a period of expansion?

【正确答案】 B

【答案解析】机械能够很好地预示发展期的到来。文中说，人们越来越对未来经济的增长抱乐观的态度。在机械或重工业方面投入了大量的资本。因此，机械能够预示发展期的到来。