新视野大学英语视听说教程 4 Unit 9-2

 

III. Listening In
Task 1: Is GDP really so important ?
Script
Joan:   It seems like a miracle that China’s GDP has been growing so fast. The growth last year was over eight percent again.
Vincent: Excuse me, it just slipped my mind. What does GDP stand for?
Joan:   It stands for gross domestic product.
Vincent: Since China’s GDP is increasing so rapidly, its economy must be healthy.
Joan:   It’s hard to say. Along with the economic growth, there are some problems. Pollution; less farmland; a wide economic gap between the coastal¹ areas and the interior, between the urban and the rural residents, and between the high-income groups and the low-income groups; to name just a few.
Vincent: What do you suggest for the Chinese economy then?
Joan:   I’m not an economist², and I’m not in a position to give advice. But I notice the Chinese government is shifting its focus from GDP growth to more balanced, sustainable economic and social development.
Vincent: So, you mean GDP may not be an accurate indicator³ of a country’ economic performance?
Joan:   Yeah. In my opinion, GDP is simply a gross measure of market activity, of money changing hands. It makes no distinction whatsoever⁴ between the desirable and undesirable⁵.
Vincent: Now, I understand why some years ago the GDP of the United States went up, but the President failed to win re-election.
Joan:   Right. In spite of the larger GDP, American people found life harder. Many worked longer hours for less pay. Only the rich forged ahead.
Vincent: Your talk was really enlightening. I’m getting more interested in economics.

1. What is true of China’s GDP growth for the recent two years?
2. What is the new goal for the Chinese government?
3. What does the woman say about the GDP figure?
4. What happened to the President after the American GDP went up some years ago?
5. What is the dialog mainly concerned about?
Keys: 1.C   2.D   3.C   4.A   5.B
 

1 coastal   

adj.海岸的，沿海的，沿岸的

参考例句：

• The ocean waves are slowly eating away the coastal rocks.大海的波浪慢慢地侵蚀着岸边的岩石。
• This country will fortify the coastal areas.该国将加强沿海地区的防御。

2 economist   

n.经济学家，经济专家，节俭的人

参考例句：

• He cast a professional economist's eyes on the problem.他以经济学行家的眼光审视这个问题。
• He's an economist who thinks he knows all the answers.他是个经济学家，自以为什么都懂。

3 indicator   

n.指标；指示物，指示者；指示器

参考例句：

• Gold prices are often seen as an indicator of inflation.黃金价格常常被看作是通货膨胀的指标。
• His left-hand indicator is flashing.他左手边的转向灯正在闪亮。

4 whatsoever   

adv.（用于否定句中以加强语气）任何；pron.无论什么

参考例句：

• There's no reason whatsoever to turn down this suggestion.没有任何理由拒绝这个建议。
• All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you,do ye even so to them.你想别人对你怎样，你就怎样对人。

5 undesirable   

adj.不受欢迎的，不良的，不合意的，讨厌的；n.不受欢迎的人，不良分子

参考例句：

• They are the undesirable elements among the employees.他们是雇员中的不良分子。
• Certain chemicals can induce undesirable changes in the nervous system.有些化学物质能在神经系统中引起不良变化。