单选题
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, filling or polishing as nails as she'd like to, either. 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 middle-brow Dillard's department store near her suburban Cleveland home, instead of Neiman Marcus, "I don't know it 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 dealer-ships 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 Tealdi, 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 slow-down. Potential home buyers would cheer for lower interest rates. Employers wouldn't mind a little fewer buddles 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.
单选题
By "Ellen Spero isn't biting her nails just yet" (Line 1, Para. 1), the author means A. Spero can hardly maintain her business B. Spero is too much engaged in her work C. Spero has grown out of her bad habit D. Spero is not in a desperate situation
单选题
When mentioning "the $4 million to $10 million range" (Line 3, Para. 3) the author is talking about ______. A. gold market B. real estate C. stock exchange D. venture investment
【正确答案】
B
【答案解析】[考点] 推理判断题 本题涉及考生对论点与论据的识别能力。第三段中首先提出观点“多数地区的房价保持稳定”，紧接着对曼哈顿、旧金山两地的房产经纪人的评论加以论证。可见，论据部分的the $4 million to $10 million range所涉及的应是“房地产”。考生根据第三段第二句中的Home prices和第五句中的real-estate broker，可知应选B“房地产”。
单选题
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.
单选题
To which of the following is the author likely to agree? A. A new boom, on the horizon. B. Tighten the belt, the single remedy. C. Caution all right, panic not. D. The more ventures, the more chances.