短文理解听力原文： The Tokyo stock market responded calmly yesterday to the collapse of two Japanese financial institutions, with prices finishing higher on strength in high-tech issues. The US dollar fell back against the Japanese yen.The dollar started higher in Tokyo amid concern about the collapse of the nation's largest credit union and Hyogo Bank, a regional bank based in Kobe. It reached 99.40 yen at one point, its highest level since 99.45 yen on February 8.At late afternoon, the dollar was traded at 97.46 yen, down 1.32 yen from late Wednesday in Tokyo and also sharply below its overnight New York level of 99.01 yen. The US currency ranged in Tokyo between 96.82 yen and 99.40 yen. Meanwhile, share price rose as higher future prices and rising high-tech issues supported the whole market. Export-related high-tech stocks have gained significantly, supported by the stronger dollar.21. How did the Tokyo stock market respond to the collapse of two Japanese financial institutions?22.What was the price of the dollar against Japanese yen at late afternoon?23.What kind of stocks has risen in the Tokyo stock market?(21)A．With little concern.B．With calm.C．With great interest.D．With confusion.
短文理解
听力原文： The Tokyo stock market responded calmly yesterday to the collapse of two Japanese financial institutions, with prices finishing higher on strength in high-tech issues. The US dollar fell back against the Japanese yen.
The dollar started higher in Tokyo amid concern about the collapse of the nation's largest credit union and Hyogo Bank, a regional bank based in Kobe. It reached 99.40 yen at one point, its highest level since 99.45 yen on February 8.
At late afternoon, the dollar was traded at 97.46 yen, down 1.32 yen from late Wednesday in Tokyo and also sharply below its overnight New York level of 99.01 yen. The US currency ranged in Tokyo between 96.82 yen and 99.40 yen. Meanwhile, share price rose as higher future prices and rising high-tech issues supported the whole market. Export-related high-tech stocks have gained significantly, supported by the stronger dollar.
21. How did the Tokyo stock market respond to the collapse of two Japanese financial institutions?
22.What was the price of the dollar against Japanese yen at late afternoon?
23.What kind of stocks has risen in the Tokyo stock market?
(21)
A．With little concern.
B．With calm.
C．With great interest.
D．With confusion.
相关考题：
In a contract, the point of total assumption refers to the point where:A . The customer incurs the total financial responsibility for each additional dollar spent.B . The contractor incurs the total financial responsiblity for each dollar spent.C . The schedule and cost variance are zero.D . The customer will incur no further costs for the work the contractor performs in the completion of the contract.E . B and D only.
73 In a contract, the point of total assumption refers to the point where:A. The customer incurs the total financial responsibility for each additional dollar spent.B. The contractor incurs the total financial responsiblity for each dollar spent.C. The schedule and cost variance are zero.D. The customer will incur no further costs for the work the contractor performs in the completion of the contract.E. B and D only
单句理解听力原文：For one full year when the full principal plus interest is paid together, compound interest and simple interest yield the same dollar amount.(1)A．If the time period of the loan is one year, the simple interest and compound interest are the same.B．If the time period of the loan is the same, the simple interest and compound interest are the same.C．When the full principal plus interest is paid together, compound interest and simple interest are of the same dollar amount.D．When the full principal plus interest is paid together, compound interest and simple interest are not of the same dollar amount.
短文理解听力原文： The Chinese currency is the Renminbi. China has maintained a unified managed floating exchange rate since January 1994. The exchange rate of the Renminbi is determined by the inter-bank foreign exchange market. The People' s Bank of China announces a reference rate for the Renminbi against the US dollar, the Hong Kong dollar, and the Japanese yen based on the weighted average price of foreign exchange transactions during the previous day's trading. Daily movement of the exchange rate of the Renminbi against the US dollar in inter-bank foreign exchange market is limited to 0.3% on either side of the reference rate as announced by the PBC. The buying and selling rates of the Renminbi against the Hong Kong dollar and the Japanese yen may not deviate more than 1% on either side of the reference rate. In the case of other currencies, the deviation may not exceed 0.5% on either side of their respective rates.21. When did China begin to maintain a unified managed floating exchange rate?22.Who determines the exchange rate of the Renminbi?23.What is the deviation allowed on daily movement of the exchange rate of Renminbi against the US dollar?(21)A．1992B．1993C．1994D．1995
What was the price of US dollar against mark on Monday?A．1.53 marks.B．1.57 marks.C．1.55 marks.D．122.75 yen.
What made dealers believe that the yen should be stronger?A．The dollar's weakness.B．The huge surplus in trade balance.C．Japanese interest rate cut.D．The market' focus turning on it.
Why is the British bank able to offer its customer a banker's draft drawn in dollar?A．Its US correspondent bank prefers to make the payment.B．It will send dollar in cash by airmail.C．It has a dollar account with another bank in an American city where the beneficiary lives.D．Its customer has a dollar account with it.
If the market price of the financial instrument concerned should be higher on the delivery date than the price agreed in the financial future contract ______ will make a profit.A．the sellerB．the buyerC．the brokerD．the dealer
As umbrella prices in our last order were much higher than those prevailing in our market, we expect a corresponding reduction of your prices to around US$ 30dozen and would be interested to hear whether you can accept our order of 3,000dozen.(英译中)
听力原文：The foreign exchange market operates much like other financial markets, but isn't located in a specific place like a stock exchange.(9)A．The foreign exchange market operates like other financial markets in every respect.B．The foreign exchange market has a specific place like a stock exchange.C．There's no physical market place such as stock exchanges for the foreign exchange transactions.D．The foreign exchange market operates quite differently since the former has no physical market place.
Since June last year the yuan has appreciated 7% against the dollar.The rise in China's relative costs has been even greater given its higher inflation rate.With stimulative fiscal and monetary policy bolstering domestic demand.China's current-account su
Text 4 The Big Mac index is built on the idea of purchasing-power parity,the theory that in the long run currencies will converge until the same amount of money buys the same amount of goods and services in every country.A Big Mac cunently costs$5.06 in America but just 10.75 lira（$2.75）in Turkey,implying that the lira is undenalued.However,ot:her currencies are even cheaper.In Big Mac tenns,the Mexican peso is underval-ued by 55.9%against the greenback.Last week it also hit a record low as Mr Trump restated some of his campaign threats against Mexico.The peso has lost a tenth of iLs value against the dollar since November.Of big countries,only Russia offers a cheaper Big Mac,in dollar terms,even though the rouble has strengthened over the past year.The euro zone is also prey to political uncerLainty.Elections are scheduled this year in the Netherlands,France and Germany,and possible in Italy.The euro recently fell to its lowest level since 2003.Britain's Brexit vote has had an even bigger effect on the pound,which has fallen to$1.21,a 31-year low.According to the Big Mac index,the euro and the pound are undervalued against the dollar by 19.7%and 26.3%,respectively.One of the drawbacks of the Big Mac index is that it takes no account of labour costs.It should surprise no one that a Big Mac costs less in Shanghai than it does in San Francisco,since Chinese workers eam far less than their American counterparts.So in a slightly more sophisticated version of the Big Mac index,we take account of a country's average income.Hisiorically,this adjustment has tended to raise currencies'valuations against the dollar,so emerging-market currencies tend to look more reasonably priced.The Chinese yuan,for example,is 44%undervalued against the doUar according to our baseline Big Mac index,but only 7%according to the adjusted one.The deluxe Big Mac index has typically made rich-world currencies look more expensive.Because western Europeans have higher costs of Iiving and lower incomes than Americans,the euro has traded at around a 25%premium against the dollar in income-adjusted burger terms since Lhe euro's inception.But what once seemed to be a constant truth of burgemomics is true no longer.So strong is the dollar Lhat even the adjusted Big Mac index finds the euro undenalued.The dollar is now Uading at a 14-year high in trade-weighted terms.Emerging-world economies may struggle to pay off dollar denominated debts.American firms may find themselves at a disadvantage agzunst foreign competition.And American tourists will get more burgers for their buck in Europe.We can leam from Paragraph 3 that______A.political uncertainty will not affect European countriesB.economic depression is the real reason for euro's devaluationC.the value of currency is completely decided by domestic factorsD.the devaluation of the pound is mainly caused by Britain's policy
Text 4 The Big Mac index is built on the idea of purchasing-power parity,the theory that in the long run currencies will converge until the same amount of money buys the same amount of goods and services in every country.A Big Mac cunently costs$5.06 in America but just 10.75 lira（$2.75）in Turkey,implying that the lira is undenalued.However,ot:her currencies are even cheaper.In Big Mac tenns,the Mexican peso is underval-ued by 55.9%against the greenback.Last week it also hit a record low as Mr Trump restated some of his campaign threats against Mexico.The peso has lost a tenth of iLs value against the dollar since November.Of big countries,only Russia offers a cheaper Big Mac,in dollar terms,even though the rouble has strengthened over the past year.The euro zone is also prey to political uncerLainty.Elections are scheduled this year in the Netherlands,France and Germany,and possible in Italy.The euro recently fell to its lowest level since 2003.Britain's Brexit vote has had an even bigger effect on the pound,which has fallen to$1.21,a 31-year low.According to the Big Mac index,the euro and the pound are undervalued against the dollar by 19.7%and 26.3%,respectively.One of the drawbacks of the Big Mac index is that it takes no account of labour costs.It should surprise no one that a Big Mac costs less in Shanghai than it does in San Francisco,since Chinese workers eam far less than their American counterparts.So in a slightly more sophisticated version of the Big Mac index,we take account of a country's average income.Hisiorically,this adjustment has tended to raise currencies'valuations against the dollar,so emerging-market currencies tend to look more reasonably priced.The Chinese yuan,for example,is 44%undervalued against the doUar according to our baseline Big Mac index,but only 7%according to the adjusted one.The deluxe Big Mac index has typically made rich-world currencies look more expensive.Because western Europeans have higher costs of Iiving and lower incomes than Americans,the euro has traded at around a 25%premium against the dollar in income-adjusted burger terms since Lhe euro's inception.But what once seemed to be a constant truth of burgemomics is true no longer.So strong is the dollar Lhat even the adjusted Big Mac index finds the euro undenalued.The dollar is now Uading at a 14-year high in trade-weighted terms.Emerging-world economies may struggle to pay off dollar denominated debts.American firms may find themselves at a disadvantage agzunst foreign competition.And American tourists will get more burgers for their buck in Europe.American tourists in Europe may find that_______.A.burgers are much mOR expensiveB.they have strong purchasing powerC.dollar will maintain its dominant positionD.they are faced with fierce competition
Text 4 The Big Mac index is built on the idea of purchasing-power parity,the theory that in the long run currencies will converge until the same amount of money buys the same amount of goods and services in every country.A Big Mac cunently costs$5.06 in America but just 10.75 lira（$2.75）in Turkey,implying that the lira is undenalued.However,ot:her currencies are even cheaper.In Big Mac tenns,the Mexican peso is underval-ued by 55.9%against the greenback.Last week it also hit a record low as Mr Trump restated some of his campaign threats against Mexico.The peso has lost a tenth of iLs value against the dollar since November.Of big countries,only Russia offers a cheaper Big Mac,in dollar terms,even though the rouble has strengthened over the past year.The euro zone is also prey to political uncerLainty.Elections are scheduled this year in the Netherlands,France and Germany,and possible in Italy.The euro recently fell to its lowest level since 2003.Britain's Brexit vote has had an even bigger effect on the pound,which has fallen to$1.21,a 31-year low.According to the Big Mac index,the euro and the pound are undervalued against the dollar by 19.7%and 26.3%,respectively.One of the drawbacks of the Big Mac index is that it takes no account of labour costs.It should surprise no one that a Big Mac costs less in Shanghai than it does in San Francisco,since Chinese workers eam far less than their American counterparts.So in a slightly more sophisticated version of the Big Mac index,we take account of a country's average income.Hisiorically,this adjustment has tended to raise currencies'valuations against the dollar,so emerging-market currencies tend to look more reasonably priced.The Chinese yuan,for example,is 44%undervalued against the doUar according to our baseline Big Mac index,but only 7%according to the adjusted one.The deluxe Big Mac index has typically made rich-world currencies look more expensive.Because western Europeans have higher costs of Iiving and lower incomes than Americans,the euro has traded at around a 25%premium against the dollar in income-adjusted burger terms since Lhe euro's inception.But what once seemed to be a constant truth of burgemomics is true no longer.So strong is the dollar Lhat even the adjusted Big Mac index finds the euro undenalued.The dollar is now Uading at a 14-year high in trade-weighted terms.Emerging-world economies may struggle to pay off dollar denominated debts.American firms may find themselves at a disadvantage agzunst foreign competition.And American tourists will get more burgers for their buck in Europe.According to Paragraph 2,the value of currency may be influenced by_____A.foreign debtsB.financial crisisC.political factorsD.terrorism threats
资料：Children back at school, nights slowly starting to draw in and the weather more changeable. The seasons are turning and after an eerily calm summer for financial markets, there's a whiff of uncertainty in the air. Bond yields are up from their lows, and the relentless migration of global capital towards any asset, anywhere, with some yield, is slowing.The concern is the growing awareness of central banks' waning ability to boost growth with ever-lower interest rates and ever-bigger purchases of assets. The debate about if, when and how slowly the US Federal Reserve will raise interest drags on, but if downward pressure on global bond yields from the European Central Bank （ECB） and the Bank of Japan's （BOJ） largesse is drawing to a close, that's a bigger milestone for markets. A world of higher bond yields is one where the pressure to seek yield in exotic places is diminished. It's also a world where the capital gains that accompanied falling yields become capital losses and investors question the merit of bonds over cash （or equities）.This search for yield in exotic places has, since the end of January, helped the Brazilian real gain more than 20% against the US dollar, with the Russian rouble managing almost as much. The dollar, itself, has fallen back is by 7.5% fall in trade-weighted terms, unwinding nearly 40% of the gains it has seen since mind-2014. There's no need to panic about bond yields rising, because rate rises in Japan or the Eurozone are years away and the Fed's still tinkering. But 10-year yields on both German and Japanese government bond yields fell below zero for the first time in late June. They have been edging higher through the summer. It's almost as if investors really aren't that keen on tying money up at negative yields for that long – why not stick to cash?In the US, estimates of "neutral" real interest rates are tumbling to around zero. Estimates of how much slack there is left in the labour market are being revised up and after five years when productivity growth has averaged a measly 0.5%, there's widespread acceptance that it's unlikely to accelerate by magic. But even if we take all of this into account, markets are now pricing in an extraordinarily slow pace of rate hikes by the Fed – from their current 0.25-0.5% range, to about 0.75% by the end of 2017 and to 1% by the end of 2018.GDP growth still oscillates around 2%, the Fed's favoured measure of inflation is at 1.6% and the unemployment rate is trending lower. The pricing of the future path of short term rates seems too low even for the "new normal" economic environment. All of these currencies have gained against the pound and I can't see that changing. Too much importance should not be placed on either the collapse in confidence immediately after the vote to leave the EU or the subsequent bounce.The economic impact of leaving the EU will be felt through delayed investment decisions as a result of uncertainty about when and on what terms it happens. A debilitating rather than a corrosive impact on the economy will be seen in slower, but positive growth. It will also be felt in further （slower） sterling weakness. The Bank of England has already cut policy rates from 0.5% to 0.25%, and there's more to come from both the Bank and the pound over the next year. A 5% fall from here would take the pound close to €1.1, and we could see it fall below $1.25 as the Federal Reserve edges rates higher.According to the the passage which of the followings is Not true?A.In recent years central banks adopt the method of lower interest rates and asset purchases to promote economic growth but now such ability of central banks have become increasingly weakerB.Investors doubt that the yields will decline, because the bond prices of financial market are fallingC.In the first half of this year global financial markets are as changeable as the weather changesD.The 10-year yields German and Japanese government bond have been moving up slowly through the summer
资料：Children back at school, nights slowly starting to draw in and the weather more changeable. The seasons are turning and after an eerily calm summer for financial markets, there's a whiff of uncertainty in the air. Bond yields are up from their lows, and the relentless migration of global capital towards any asset, anywhere, with some yield, is slowing.The concern is the growing awareness of central banks' waning ability to boost growth with ever-lower interest rates and ever-bigger purchases of assets. The debate about if, when and how slowly the US Federal Reserve will raise interest drags on, but if downward pressure on global bond yields from the European Central Bank （ECB） and the Bank of Japan's （BOJ） largesse is drawing to a close, that's a bigger milestone for markets. A world of higher bond yields is one where the pressure to seek yield in exotic places is diminished. It's also a world where the capital gains that accompanied falling yields become capital losses and investors question the merit of bonds over cash （or equities）.This search for yield in exotic places has, since the end of January, helped the Brazilian real gain more than 20% against the US dollar, with the Russian rouble managing almost as much. The dollar, itself, has fallen back is by 7.5% fall in trade-weighted terms, unwinding nearly 40% of the gains it has seen since mind-2014. There's no need to panic about bond yields rising, because rate rises in Japan or the Eurozone are years away and the Fed's still tinkering. But 10-year yields on both German and Japanese government bond yields fell below zero for the first time in late June. They have been edging higher through the summer. It's almost as if investors really aren't that keen on tying money up at negative yields for that long – why not stick to cash?In the US, estimates of "neutral" real interest rates are tumbling to around zero. Estimates of how much slack there is left in the labour market are being revised up and after five years when productivity growth has averaged a measly 0.5%, there's widespread acceptance that it's unlikely to accelerate by magic. But even if we take all of this into account, markets are now pricing in an extraordinarily slow pace of rate hikes by the Fed – from their current 0.25-0.5% range, to about 0.75% by the end of 2017 and to 1% by the end of 2018.GDP growth still oscillates around 2%, the Fed's favoured measure of inflation is at 1.6% and the unemployment rate is trending lower. The pricing of the future path of short term rates seems too low even for the "new normal" economic environment. All of these currencies have gained against the pound and I can't see that changing. Too much importance should not be placed on either the collapse in confidence immediately after the vote to leave the EU or the subsequent bounce.The economic impact of leaving the EU will be felt through delayed investment decisions as a result of uncertainty about when and on what terms it happens. A debilitating rather than a corrosive impact on the economy will be seen in slower, but positive growth. It will also be felt in further （slower） sterling weakness. The Bank of England has already cut policy rates from 0.5% to 0.25%, and there's more to come from both the Bank and the pound over the next year. A 5% fall from here would take the pound close to €1.1, and we could see it fall below $1.25 as the Federal Reserve edges rates higher.According to the the passage which of the followings is true?A.The Federal reserve may raises interest rates in December （after the US election）to push towards the GDP growth around 2%B.The Fed thinks that the current inflation rate in the Unites States remain below 1.6% to help increase the employment rateC.After the vote to leave the EU all of these currencies mentioned have gained against the pound and such trend will continue onD.There’s widespread acceptance in the United States that real interest rates are falling to around zero with the rising sluggish labour market and about 0.5% of productivity growth but various economic indicators will not appear miraculous accelerated phenomenon
资料：Children back at school, nights slowly starting to draw in and the weather more changeable. The seasons are turning and after an eerily calm summer for financial markets, there's a whiff of uncertainty in the air. Bond yields are up from their lows, and the relentless migration of global capital towards any asset, anywhere, with some yield, is slowing.The concern is the growing awareness of central banks' waning ability to boost growth with ever-lower interest rates and ever-bigger purchases of assets. The debate about if, when and how slowly the US Federal Reserve will raise interest drags on, but if downward pressure on global bond yields from the European Central Bank （ECB） and the Bank of Japan's （BOJ） largesse is drawing to a close, that's a bigger milestone for markets. A world of higher bond yields is one where the pressure to seek yield in exotic places is diminished. It's also a world where the capital gains that accompanied falling yields become capital losses and investors question the merit of bonds over cash （or equities）.This search for yield in exotic places has, since the end of January, helped the Brazilian real gain more than 20% against the US dollar, with the Russian rouble managing almost as much. The dollar, itself, has fallen back is by 7.5% fall in trade-weighted terms, unwinding nearly 40% of the gains it has seen since mind-2014. There's no need to panic about bond yields rising, because rate rises in Japan or the Eurozone are years away and the Fed's still tinkering. But 10-year yields on both German and Japanese government bond yields fell below zero for the first time in late June. They have been edging higher through the summer. It's almost as if investors really aren't that keen on tying money up at negative yields for that long – why not stick to cash?In the US, estimates of "neutral" real interest rates are tumbling to around zero. Estimates of how much slack there is left in the labour market are being revised up and after five years when productivity growth has averaged a measly 0.5%, there's widespread acceptance that it's unlikely to accelerate by magic. But even if we take all of this into account, markets are now pricing in an extraordinarily slow pace of rate hikes by the Fed – from their current 0.25-0.5% range, to about 0.75% by the end of 2017 and to 1% by the end of 2018.GDP growth still oscillates around 2%, the Fed's favoured measure of inflation is at 1.6% and the unemployment rate is trending lower. The pricing of the future path of short term rates seems too low even for the "new normal" economic environment. All of these currencies have gained against the pound and I can't see that changing. Too much importance should not be placed on either the collapse in confidence immediately after the vote to leave the EU or the subsequent bounce.The economic impact of leaving the EU will be felt through delayed investment decisions as a result of uncertainty about when and on what terms it happens. A debilitating rather than a corrosive impact on the economy will be seen in slower, but positive growth. It will also be felt in further （slower） sterling weakness. The Bank of England has already cut policy rates from 0.5% to 0.25%, and there's more to come from both the Bank and the pound over the next year. A 5% fall from here would take the pound close to €1.1, and we could see it fall below $1.25 as the Federal Reserve edges rates higher.The word “tumbling” in the sixth paragraph refers to ________fallingA.fallingB.pushingC.keepingD.changing
The paragraph 8 suggests that young Japanese may support( ) A.higher tax rates B.higher health-care budget C.receiving more money from their parents D.higher salaries
According to the passage，the Japanese government could do a better job in( ) A.encouraging higher birth rate B.taking care of the elderly C.giving young people more power D.funding its deficit
单选题The passage mainly wants to tell us ______.Ahow to buy or sell sharesBABC of stock marketsCthe stock market is like gamblingDinvesting money in the stock market is not the safest way
单选题Which of the following is true according to the fourth paragraph?AMore and more Japanese cars are sold in Detroit recently.BDomestic cars still hold the bigger market share in America.CChrysler’s market share has never been surpassed by Toyota.DKorean cars are less popular than Japanese cars in America.
单选题The ice-skating partners, who were never finishing higher than seventh place, surprised their coaches by finally winning a competition.AThe ice-skating partners, who were never finishing higher than seventh place,BThe ice-skating partners, who had never finished higher than seventh place,CHaving never finished higher than seventh place as ice-skating partners,DThe ice-skating partners never finished higher than seventh place,ENever finishing higher than seventh place, the skating partners has
单选题Consumer groups are protesting against higher prices in this city now.Aclothing withBclinging toCcomplaining aboutDclutching with
问答题Practice 10 The U. S. Dollar is the currency most often used in international trade. If the currency of export sales is different from the currency of the exporting country, for example a Japanese exporter sells in U.S. Dollars, the exporter may encounter exchange risks-risks from fluctuations in exchange rates, for example between the U. S. Dollar and the Japanese Yen. In case of the Yen appreciation at the time of converting the U.S. Dollar to the Yen, the exporter will get less Yen per U.S. Dollar. Conversely, in case of the Yen devaluation the exporter will get more Yen per U.S. Dollar. Hence, in time of currency appreciation in the exporting country, it is important that the exporter ships the goods earlier, unless an earliest date for shipment is stipulated in the L/C or has been agreed upon between exporter and importer, and present the negotiating documents to the bank immediately. The exporter may contract with the bank to sell the U.S. Dollar forward in a so-called forward exchange, at a predetermined rate on an agreed future date, thus he/she will not be affected by the currency appreciation and will receive a fixed amount in his/her own currency at a future date.
单选题The functions of institutions of higher education in the US are _____.Aresearch and teachingBteaching and degree awardingCprofessional training, teaching and public serviceDteaching, research and public service
问答题Passage 7U. S consumer prices climbed faster than expected in May, further fanning investor fears over inflation. Stock markets around the world have cracked sharply lower the past few weeks, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average losing all the ground it had gained so far this year. Japan’s stock market is down 11% on the year; gold has had its biggest slide in a decade and a half; and many emerging markets are wobbling. After Wednesday’s Consumer Price Index report from the Labor Department, which showed a 0.4 percent increase in prices for May (core inflation, which excludes food and energy, rose 0.3 percent), the stock market made a comeback. But with future interest rate hikes now starting to be priced into the market, investor fears that central bankers around the world will go overboard and continue to drive rates higher is set to further spook markets. This is no trading correction that investors have to absorb. The real risk of a jarring bear market has emerged. But while the trauma that inflation created for investors in the 1970s is still close to the surface, the sudden frenzy is misplaced. Powerful forces in the world economy continue to keep prices largely in check. Over the past decade, inflation has been a minor threat compared with brutal deflationary shocks. They started with the collapse of the Mexican peso in the mid-1990s. In 1997, much of eastern Asia’s flourishing economy was leveled. Next were Russia, Turkey and Argentina; Brazil teetered on the brink. By early 2001, Silicon Valley, the pride of the U. S. economy, was crashing, while entire sectors of the so-called New Economy disintegrated. The tech wreck may be over, but it has left a legacy of low prices. Tech companies had to dump on the market everything from fiberoptic networks to computer chips, as desperate investors struggled to raise cash. That slashed telecommunication costs at the very moment that emerging markets were producing a skilled and hungry generation of information workers. Result? The offshore outsourcing revolution and downward pressure on global production costs that keeps inflation under control. Equally powerful are the ultra-low-cost emerging-market manufacturing bases, led by China. With more than 1 billion people set to enter the urban labor markets of China, India, Brazil and Indonesia in the next 20 years, all those pressures on prices will only intensify. More immediate forces are also at work to keep prices from surging. Despite some wishful thinking, growth in Europe is slowing, not accelerating. A large part of U. S. growth has been driven by booming real estate prices. But in the past two years, the Fed has increased rates 16 times, so real estate-driven consumption is yesterday’s news. Tomorrow’s story will be the sharp fall in U. S. growth as consumers face higher mortgage costs. That dynamic could become particularly nasty, given the record level of U. S. household debt, government deficit and unequaled current-account shortfall. Investors are often caught flat-footed when markets slide. In 2001-02, deflation was the fear of the day, but few investors at the time saw the opportunity in commodities, which were going for a fraction of today’s prices. Today investors are obsessed with inflation, while government and top- tier corporate bonds are shunned. That should be telling us something. What is it? In the past few years, the central banks of Japan, the U. S. and Europe have cut interest rates so aggressively that the real cost of borrowing fell to, effectively, below zero. That spurred extraordinary amounts of debt financing by governments and corporations. But now, as the global credit cycle tightens, some of the marginal investments will quickly become unsustainable. If central bankers keep raising interest rates, deeper cracks would open in the world economy. What is really troubling markets is not inflation. It is the fear that central banks may have tightened too much, and will tighten further. If that happens, the recent market shock would be merely the precursor to a still more dramatic quake. 1. What is the situation of the world financial markets recently? What is the situation expected to be in the near future? 2. What does the author mean by “the tech wreck may be over, but it has left a legacy of low prices”? (Para.4) 3. What is the relationship between real estate market and economic growth in US in the past and in the near future? 4. According to the author, what are the “powerful forces” that can keep inflation “largely in check”?