Thus far, the high oil price has been largely a consequence of good things, such as a strengthening world economy, rather than a cause of bad things, such as faster inflation or slower growth. China's burgeoning economy guzzled about 6m bpd in the first quarter of this year, 15% more than a year ago, according to Goldman Sachs. Demand was also strong in the rest of Asia, excluding Japan, growing by 5.2% to 8.1m bpd. As the year progresses, the seasonal rhythms of America's drivers will dictate prices, at least of the lighter, sweeter crudes. Americans take to the roads en masse in the summer, and speculators are driving up the oil price now in anticipation of peak demand in a few months' time.
Until recently, the rise in the dollar price of oil was offset outside America and China by the fall in the dollar itself. But the currency has regained some ground in recent weeks, and the oil price has continued to rise. Even so, talk of another oil-price shock is premature. The price of oil, adjusted for inflation, is only half what it was in December 1979, and the United States now uses half as much energy per dollar of output as it did in the early 1970s. But if oil cannot shock the world economy quite as it used to, it can still give it "a good kick", warns Goldman Sachs. If average oil prices for the year come in 10% higher than it forecast, it reckons CDP growth in the Group of Seven (CT) rich nations will be reduced by 0.3%, or $70 billion.
The Americans are certainly taking the issue seriously. John Snow, their treasury secretary, called OPEC's February decision "regrettable", and the rise in prices since then "not helpful". Washington pays close heed to the man at the petrol pump, who has seen the average price of a gallon of unleaded petrol rise by 39 cents in the past year. And the Saudis, some mutter, pay close heed to Washington.
Besides, the high oil price may have filled Saudi coffers, but it has also affronted Saudi pride. Mr. al-Naimi thinks the high price is due to fears that supply might be disrupted in the future. These fears, he says, are "unwarranted". But the hulking machinery in the Arabian desert that keeps oil flowing round the world presents an inviting target to terrorists should they tire of bombing embassies and nightclubs. On May 1st, gunmen killed six people in a Saudi office of ABB Lummus Global, an American oil contractor. Such incidents add to the risk premium factored into the oil price, a premium that the Saudis take as a vote of no confidence in their kingdom and its ability to guarantee the supply of oil in the face of terrorist threats.
What does the author mean by "...has become its flip-flopper"(Para. 1)?
A. Saudi Arabia reversed its earlier decision.
B. Saudi Arabia objected to the rise of oil price.
C. Saudi Arabia was concerned about the world economy.
D. Saudi Arabia wished to reduce the oil production.
"To take part is what matters" in the first paragraph means ______.
A. those who lose win glory for their country to some extent
B. taking part in the Games is more important than anything else
C. for those who win, there is always honor
D. winning and losing are equally important
The Greatest Show on Earth
The Olympic Games (奥林匹克运动会) are the greatest festival of sport in the world. Every four years, a hundred or more countries send their best sportsmen to compete (竞赛) for the highest honors in sport. As many as 6,000 people take part in over 20 sports. For the winners, there are gold medals(奖牌) and glory. But there is honor, too, for all who compete, win or lose. That is in spirit of the Olympics—to take part is what matters.
The Olympic Games always start in a bright color and action. The teams of all the nations parade in the opening ceremony(仪式) and march round the track. The custom is for the Greek team to march in first. For it was in Greece that the Olympics began. The team of the country where the Games are being held—the host country—marches in last.
The runner with the Olympic torch (火炬) then enters the stadium(体育场) and lights the flame. A sportsman from the host country takes the Olympic oath (誓言) on behalf of all the competitors(竞赛者. The judges and officials also take an oath. After the sportsmen march out of the stadium the host country puts on a wonderful display.
The competitions begin the next day. There are usually more than twenty sports in the Games. The rule is that there must be at least fifteen. The main events are in track and field (田径), but it is a few days before these sports start. Each day the competitors take part in a different sport—riding, shooting, swimming, and cross-country running. Points are gained for each event. Medals are awarded (颁发) for the individual winners and for national teams.
More and more women are taking part in the games. They first competed in 1900, in tennis and golf, which are no longer held in the Olympics. Women's swimming events were introduced in 1912. But it was not until 1928 that there were any track and field events for women. Now, they compete in all but half a dozen of the sports. In horse riding, shooting, and boat racing, they may compete in the same events as the men.
What is the basic honor in taking part in the Olympic Games?
A. To win medals.
B. To break world record.
C. To win first places.
D. To take part in the Games.
What Is Anthrax (炭疽)?
There's been a lot of talk about anthrax on the news lately. Some people are worried that anthrax may be connected to terrorist attacks or that terrorists may spread the germ that______(51) the disease. Federal officials and police are investigating this and taking______(52) to protect us.
In the meantime, it's important not to panic over anthrax. The chances that you and your family______(53) at risk are very tiny. One of the ways you can feel better is to learn about anthrax. When you know what it is and______(54) you can get it, it doesn't seem quite as scary.
So, what______(55) is anthrax?
Here are the facts on anthrax:
Anthrax is a bacterial infection caused by a germ. Although it's most common in farm ______(56), like sheep, cows, pigs, horses, and goats, there's a very small chance that people can get it, too.
Anthrax spores (孢子) (a version of the germ in a protective shell that can live in the soil for years) cause the disease.
People may get anthrax if they are exposed to anthrax______(57). But here's the important part: just being exposed to these spores doesn't mean that a person will get ______(58).
For a person to get sick, he would have to breathe in thousands of these spores all the way into his______(59). Or he'd have to eat meat contaminated with anthrax or handle______(50) that has anthrax spores. This may sound scary, but even when a person comes______(61) contact with the spores, it's unlikely that he'll get sick. ______(62) the bacteria do not get into the skin, digestive tract, or lung, the disease won't develop.
Anthrax is not spread from person to person the way the flu can spread from family member to______(83) member or classmate to classmate.
Anthrax can almost always be successfully treated with antibiotics (抗生素).
Anthrax is very rare. Until recently, anthrax wasn't even talked about because it was so rare — and it still______(64)! Even with all of the anthrax cases you are hearing about right now, a person's chances of getting anthrax are about the______(65) as they were before you heard about anthrax on the news — very, very low.
A. raises
B. causes
C. takes
D. moves