2004年Text 3
 
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, filing or polishing as many nails as she'd like to. 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 a middle-brow Dillard's department store near her suburban Cleveland home, instead of Neiman Marcus. "I don't know if 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 dealerships 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 Deadly, 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 slowdown. Potential home buyers would cheer for lower interest rates. Employers wouldn't mind a little fewer bubbles 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.

52. How do the public feel about the long-term economic situation?
[A] Optimistic     
[B] Confused       
[C] Carefree.         
[D] Panicked

[答案] A

[解题思路]

要判断公众对于当前经济形势的态度，需要从全文来把握寻找关键信息。其中第二段最后一句为"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"（消费者们似乎只是稍有忧虑，他们并没有开始恐慌，许多人说他们对经济的长远发展还是很乐观的，虽然他们已经勒起了裤腰带），可见人们的态度是乐观的，对应选项为A。C选项的错误在于该次过于绝对，人们并没有完全的无忧无虑，而是"concerned"，即对经济放缓形势表示关注。D选项错误，因为原文明确指出人们"not panicked"。至于B选项也与原文意思不符。此外，文中表示公众的乐观情绪的还有第三段第一句中的"their own fortunes still feel pretty good"（他们感觉自己的运气并没有什么损失）和最后一句中的"most folks still feel pretty comfortable"（大多数人感觉还不错）等。

[题目译文]

公众对目前经济形势是怎么想的？
[A]乐观
[B]困惑
[C]无忧无虑
[D]恐慌