【正确答案】 B

【答案解析】[听力原文] Many economists say U. S. growth will accelerate a bit soon, which will likely make it easier for other nations to sell their products in the world's biggest economy. Surging energy production is cutting costs and spurring U. S. economic growth, but rising interest rates are acting as brakes on expansion. Some shops are busier, because the United States and other wealthy nations are shaking off the recession and making more economic contribution. Key sectors of the U. S. economy, like housing, are strongly influenced by interest rates. Lower rates make it easier for families to borrow the money to buy homes and businesses to get the equipment they need to expand. With that in mind, the U. S. central bank has been endeavoring to stimulate the economy by cutting interest rates. Part of that effort involves buying tens of billions of dollars of securities each month, a program that is being reduced or 'tapered. ' If the stimulus continues for too long, it might spark inflation, which could hurt the economy. A surge in U. S. energy production will help overcome the impact of rising interest rates. Oil industry experts say growing use of hydraulic fracturing or 'fracking' has sharply increased U. S. production of oil and natural gas. The wider use of fracking is boosting U. S. oil production, cutting the cost of crude oil imports, and leaving people with more money to consume. Critics say burning more fossil fuels may increase climate change and voice concerns about the impact of fracking on the environment and public health. Industry spokesmen say the practice is safe, but opponents say some gas wells that use fracking technology have polluted nearby water wells, and they urge more scientific study. According to the passage, what is stimulating the U. S. economy? 短文中提到，上涨的能源生产在降低了成本的同时促进了经济的增长，但是上涨的利息率却起着反作用，故选B。