新编剑桥商务英语高级第三版 第11.1

The economy

Economic issues

1What does this quotation mean? Do you agree？

‘The gap in our economy is between what we have and what we think we ought to have and that is a moral problem, not an economy one.’ Paul Heyne, Economics lecture

2Choose the right word to complete these sentences about the economy

1 The cost of life/living in London is so high now that many people on low

incomes/revenues find it difficult to live there.

2 Insecurity in the job/work market has affected consumer confidence/trust.

3 The government has cut a lot of public segment/sector jobs and contracted the work out to private /self-employed companies.

4 Foreign investing/investment in our manufacturing industry has helped economic growth/growing up.

5 The unemployment ratio/rate in some parts of the country is over 20% and the benefits/subsidy that the government pays to the jobless is very high.

6 Abroad/Foreign imports are increasing and the country now has a big trade deficit/shortage.

7 Competition and a free/open market has brought prices down and has increased people’s buying power/ability.

8 The tax burden/pressure on companies is so heavy now that many of them are delocating /relocating to countries where taxes are lighter.

3 Put these words that describe the economy in order from the most positive(++) to

the most negative(--).

Stable booming buoyant depressed healthy stagnant + + 1 2 3 4 5 6 - -

4 Which best describes your country’s economy at the moment? What are the

reasons for its condition?

5How does the welfare state work in your country?

1 Are the benefits paid by the state to the unemployed, the disable, pregnant women and retired people generous or not?

2 Do you think these benefits should be paid by the state or by private insurance?

6

Read the article about the relationship between

governments and big business. Is it optimistic about this relationship? Why? / Why not?

Finance Weekly, 10 September

The new philanthropists T

he 19th century was the age of capitalism, the 20th century socialism. The 21st

century, it seems, will be the age of charity. But, as Mrs Thatcher said, ‘The Good Samaritan had to earn his money first.’

Warren Buffet, when he made a gift of $31bn to the Gates Foundation, already worth $29bn, joked that his children would have to work for their living –apart from a billion dollar handout to each.

Later, when Buffett and Gates held a press conference to announce what they intended to do with their fortune, it was clear that channeling it through government was not an option. ‘Bill and Melinda will do a better job than…the Federal Treasury,’ said Buffet. Instead they would ‘seek out talent to distribute their money just as they sought out talent to acquire it’.

For these tycoons, who have prospered in the free market global economy, government and the public sector are monopolistic and inefficient. Governments may have built the welfare state in the 20th century, but to provide them with free cash to support these structures (schools, hospital, etc) was not on their agenda. Instead their efforts will be focused on alleviating world poverty and disease, and improving access to technology.

Adam Smith’s ‘invisible hand’, the economic theory that the market will run smoothly if it is left to decide what products are sold and at what price, has been the guiding principle behind globalization. In America it has produced large fortunes for a handful of successful industrialists: men who now, it seems, are turning to philanthropy.

Opponents say that the free market shows no regard for social concerns and encourages poor employment and environmental standers. Wealth, they argue, is now concentrated among a handful of global corporations whose only accountable to their shareholders. They would like to see governments put a brake on the activities of big

business.

But the power of governments, national and international, is dwindling. The welfare states of the 20th century, and the public sector workers who staff them, are slowly being replaced – if not by private sector principle synonymous with inefficiency and waste.

At the sane time, the agents of international government- the UN, the IME, the World Bank and the EU- have subsidized too many economies. As their reputation declines, they will be replaced by the charity of the privates sector.

Children of the 60s, like Bill Gates, have exploited the free market ruthlessly, but now they are preaching freedom and love are choosing to give back to society. Their hearts are in the right place. But they share one enemy- modern government in all its forms. As Buffett said, only a fool gives his money to the treasury.

Will such people make better world? Who knows? But they mean to try.

1Reading the article on page

107 again and choose the best answer (A, B, C or D) to each question.

1Wareen Buffett’s children will

A. not get a penny from their father. B. get a job with their father. C. get a billion dollars each.

D. have to earn their money as he did.

2Who will organise the handing out of Buffett’s fortune? A. Bill and Melinda Gates.

B. Bill Gates and Warren Buffett. C. The Federal Treasury.

D. People specially employed by the Gates and Buffett. 3 What will the money not be spent on? A. Schools and hospital in the US. B. Helping the word’s poor people. C. Helping the world’s sick.

D. Providing Internet and communications technology to more people. 4 Opponents in the sixth paragraph refers to opponents of A. Multinational companies and their shareholders.

B. The economic system that has produced globalization. C. Philanthropists like Buffett.

D. The smooth running of the market.

5 What is happening to government, national and international, according to the author?

A. It has become too powerful. B. It has too many agents. C. It has becoming corrupt.

D. It is losing influence.

6 What does the phrase their hearts are in the right place say about people like Gates and Buffett?

A. Money is not so important to them. B. They have good intentions. C. Their actions are damaging. D. They are led by their emotions.

2 Find a word or phrase in the text which is the opposite of the

following.

1 live off your inheritance 2 struggled 3 supporters 4 poverty

5 becoming greater 6 strengthened

3 Do your think that rich philanthropists can do a better job than governments in

helping the needy in society?

4 Which of these economic points of view do your agree with?

1‘No society ever prospered by punishing the rich. They are the ones who create wealth in our communities and raise everyone’s stander of living. 2 ‘Governments should not worry about rich. The rich will always find a way to look after themselves. It is the job of government to look after the poor in society.’

Conditionals (Types 1 and 2)

5What is the difference in meaning between these sentences?

1a If they raise the rate of income tax for top earners, these people will

probably leave the country.

2b If raised the rate of income tax for top earners, these people would probably leave the country.

2a If earn a lot of money in my career, I will probably also give a lot to charity. 2b If I had as much money as Warren Buffett, I would probably also give a lot to charity.

Conditionals (Types 1 and 2)

Note the forms of both types of sentence. If+ present,…will + infinitive (without to) If+ past,…would+ infinitive (without to )

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possible.

We use the first type of if sentence for situations which are real and

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We use the second for situations which are either unreal or improbable.

6 Decide if the forms used in these sentences are correct or not. If not,

correct them.

0 If I am ten years younger, I will ask her to marry me. Incorrect(×) If I am were ten years younger, I will would ask her to marry me 1 If I see him, I will certainly give him your message. 2 If I knew the answer to that, I’d be a rich man.

3 If you were going to be late, please would you call me and let me know. 4 If you are in my position, what will you do?

5 We will have to look for another supplier if they continue to raise their prices every three months.

6 I wouldn’t do your job unless I was paid a fortune!

7 If I have a better knowledge of finance, I will come with you if you promise to do the negotiating yourself.

Socio-economic problems

7 Which of the following are problems in your country? Decide if they are a serious problem, a slight problem or not a problem. Problem 1 Income gap between rich and poor 2 An ageing population and /or pensions crisis 3 Over-dependence on the welfare state 4 Unemployment 5 Shortage of key skills or inadequate education system Serious Problem Slight Not a problem problem 6 Heavy tax burden(on individuals and /or companies) 7 Homelessness or a shortage of affordable housing 8 Poor heath diet or a failing heath service 9 Personal debt 10 Lack of investment in transport, public service, etc.

1 Discuss the list on page 109 with your partner. What are the main problems? What

is the government doing about them?

2 What more could they do? Use if sentences to make suggestions.

If the government increased the rate of tax for top earners and reduced the rate

for the lowest earners, the gap between rich and poor would become smaller.

3 You are thinking of relocating to another country to set up a small

manufacturing company.

1 Make a list of the most important factors to consider in deciding where.

2 Compare your list with a partner.

4 Read the text. What reasons for relocating to Nicaragua does the author highlight?

Nicaragua? Yes, please!

Nicaragua offers advantages few other places can match. The cost of living, for example, is a fraction of what you’re accustomed to back home. You can employ a full-time maid here for about $100 per month. You can see a movie for $2 and get your hair cut for $1.25. Two people can have an excellent meal, including a good bottle of wine, for less than $20. Plus, the tax burden is very light. And as a foreigner qualifying for Nicaragua’s Pensionado program, you may be exempt from import duties on your personal and household goods; and be allowed to bring a vehicle into the country tax-free once every five years. And if you are looking to start a business, few places offer better incentives than Nicaragua, which recently passed tourism Law306. This law allows you to open a tourism-related business and (1) pay no taxes for ten years and(2) bring in (or buy locally) all the supplies you need, from furniture boats to linens and cash registers… all tax-free. Year-round sunshine. These are the primary reasons we have invested in Nicaragua. The numbers and the trends are just too good to pass up. But these facts and numbers don’t begin to tell the story of the laid-back atmosphere and natural beauty of Nicaragua, and of Lake Apoyo in particular. Nicaragua is an exotic land, where the sun shines all day long, on rugged mountains and tropical rivers, colonial cities, friendly and lively people, and the largest body of fresh water south of the Great Lakes (with the world’s only freshwater sharks). As the publisher of a newsletter that investigates the world’s best places to travel, buy real estate, invest, live and retire, I know that the opportunity to get in on the ground floor of a place like Nicaragua does not come along very often.

5 What is meant by these phrase in the text? 1 Advantages few other places can match

2 Exempt from import duties 3 Too good to pass up

4 The laid-back atmosphere 5 Get in on the ground floor

Relocation experience

6. 11.1Listen to these five people talking about their experiences of relocating home or business.

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The first time you listen, indicate the reason for the move.

The second time, indicate what problem arose that they did not expect.

TASK ONE-REASON

1 A cheaper labour costs

2 B lower local taxes for companies C better climate

3 D better quality of life E expansion

4 F shorter travel time to work 5 G to be closer to suppliers

TASK TWO-PROBLEM

6 A having to travel long distance B customers are further away 7 C not much to do in the evenings D some wasted space

8 E it’s no cheaper than other regions F it’s sometimes noisy

9 G workers are poorly skilled H cost of living is rising 10

7What do these expressions from the listening passage mean?

1 2 3 4 5 6

it was just a carrot to get people to move here it’s ten minutes away, which is really handy without fiving it a second thought the salary bill is creeping up we decided to take the plunge you can’t have it both ways

8 What/Where would be your ideal place to live and work? Why?