(单词翻译:单击)
Passage Two
文章二
Many economists say U.S. growth will accelerate a bit soon,
很多经济学家认为美国经济增长将小幅加速，
which will likely make it easier for other nations to sell their products in the world's biggest economy.
这很可能使其他国家对这一世界第一经济大国的商品出口更加容易。
Surging energy production is cutting costs and spurring U.S. economic growth,
能源生产的增加在降低了成本的同时促进了经济的增长，
but rising interest rates are acting as brakes on expansion.
但是上涨的利息率却起着反作用。
Some shops are busier, because the United States and other wealthy nations are shaking off the recession and making more economic contribution.
随着美国以及一些其他富裕国家摆脱经济萧条，开始经济扶持，一些企业业务变得繁忙起来。
Key sectors of the U.S. economy, like housing, are strongly influenced by interest rates.
美国关键经济领域，比如房地产，极大地受到利率的影响。
Lower rates make it easier for families to borrow the money to buy homes
低利率令家庭更容易借到钱买房、
and businesses to get the equipment they need to expand.
企业更容易购置其扩张所需的设备。
With that in mind, the U.S. central bank has been endeavoring to stimulate the economy by cutting interest rates.
鉴于此，美国中央银行努力通过降低利率来刺激经济。
Part of that effort involves buying tens of billions of dollars of securities each month,
其中一项措施就是每月购买数百亿美元的有价证券，
a program that is being reduced or "tapered."
这一举措力度正被逐渐削减，
If the stimulus continues for too long, it might spark inflation, which could hurt the economy.
如果刺激政策持续时间过长，可能会导致通胀，这将对经济不利。
A surge in U.S. energy production will help overcome the impact of rising interest rates.
美国能源产量的增加将缓冲上升利率的影响。
Oil industry experts say growing use of hydraulic fracturing or "fracking" has sharply increased U.S. production of oil and natural gas.
石油产业专家表示随着液压破裂法更加普遍的应用，美国石油和天然气的产量大幅增加。
The wider use of fracking is boosting U.S. oil production,
液压破裂法更广泛的应用增加了美国的石油产量，
cutting the cost of crude oil imports, and leaving people with more money to consume.
降低了原油进口成本，让人们有了更多的钱可以花在其他消费品上。
Critics say burning more fossil fuels may increase climate change
然而，批判人士称燃烧化石燃料将加剧气候变化。
and voice concerns about the impact of fracking on the environment and public health.
同时他们还担心液压破裂法的使用会对环境和大众健康产生影响。
Industry spokesmen say the practice is safe,
能源行业发言人表示这一方法是安全的；
but opponents say some gas wells that use fracking technology have polluted nearby water wells,
但是反对者称一些使用液压破裂法技术的气井污染了附近的水井，
and they urge more scientific study.
并呼吁进一步科学研究。
Questions 13 to 15 are based on the passage you have just heard.
问题13至问题15是基于你刚刚听到的这篇短文的
Question 13. According to the passage, what is stimulating the U.S. economy?
问题13 根据短文内容，什么刺激着美国的经济增长？
Question 14. What are the measures taken by the U.S. central bank to boost the economy?
问题14 美国中央银行为了刺激经济采取了什么措施？
Question 15. What do critics say about fracking?
问题15 批判人士对液压破裂法的看法是什么？
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