Spending on public works was (slashed) by 8. 1 percent to $ 56 billion in the draft budget from fiscal year 2012.

2011，dubbed (被称为) the “year of global indignation,” revealed three major social problems of the current world.First, the financial crisis has caused rising income disparities. Living standards of the middle class were severely impacted as their wealth shrank by a wide margin. Second, rapidly developing information technology and globalization have brought people together. With the help of new media and non-state actors, turmoil in one country can easily spread to other countries. Third, the unbalanced population and employment structure have aggravated social tensions. The long-term unemployment of young people has made “young malcontents (不满现状者)” a common problem of the whole world.

Passage 2

Once, when Japan faced pressure from abroad, it would either give in reluctantly or keep quiet and hope (that the fuss would die down). No longer, it seems. The Clinton administration strongly believes in exerting such pressure. Its policy is to open some Japanese markets by setting import targets—(an approach) to trade policy that supporters call “results-oriented”. This ugly term foreshadows uncertain (consequences). Far from capitulating to this new thrust of American trade policy, Japan is taking a stand that could lead to a trans-Pacific confrontation.

49、What’s the meaning of “that the fuss would die down”?

50、What is the meaning of“approach”?

51、What is the meaning of “consequences”?

Passage 1

The trouble is, many countries still think of opening their markets to more imports as a concession to be made reluctantly, not (as economists see it) as something that is good for them in its own right. Even America and the European Union, which have led the push for open markets, still shelter parts of their economics for fear of hurting workers in coddled industries.Globalization has aroused worries in many rich countries that free trade with much poorer countries threatens jobs and prosperity. This was plain in last yearns debate in the United States and Mexico, was viewed by many Americans as their loss and Mexico’s gain. The idea that trade is desirable only if it happens among countries with similar wages dies hard.

46、What do economists think of opening markets to more imports?

47、Why do America and the European Union still shelter parts of their economies?

48、How did many Americans view last year’s debate in the United States and Mexico?

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