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Passage Two
Many economists say U.S. growth will accelerate a bit soon, which will likely make it easier for other nations to sell their products in the world's biggest economy. (13) Surging energy production is cutting costs and spurring U.S. economic growth, but rising interest rates are acting as brakes on expansion. Some shops are busier, because the United States and other wealthy nations are shaking off the recession and making more economic contribution.
Key sectors of the U.S. economy, like housing, are strongly influenced by interest rates. Lower rates make it easier for families to borrow the money to buy homes and businesses to get the equipment they need to expand. (14) With that in mind, the U.S. central bank has been endeavoring to stimulate the economy by cutting interest rates. Part of that effort involves buying tens of billions of dollars of securities each month, a program that is being reduced or "tapered." If the stimulus continues for too long, it might spark inflation, which could hurt the economy.
A surge in U.S. energy production will help overcome the impact of rising interest rates. Oil industry experts say growing use of hydraulic fracturing or "fracking" has sharply increased U.S. production of oil and natural gas. The wider use of fracking is boosting U.S. oil production, cutting the cost of crude oil imports, and leaving people with more money to consume. (15) Critics say burning more fossil fuels may increase climate change and voice concerns about the impact of fracking on the environment and public health.
Industry spokesmen say the practice is safe, but opponents say some gas wells that use fracking technology have polluted nearby water wells, and they urge more scientific study.
13. According to the passage, what is stimulating the U.S. economy?
14. What are the measures taken by the U.S. central bank to boost the economy?
15. What do critics say about fracking?
文章二
很多经济学家认为美国经济增长将小幅加速，这很可能使其他国家对这一世界第一经济大国的商品出口更加容易。能源生产的增加在降低了成本的同时促进了经济的增长，但是上涨的利息率却起着反作用。随着美国以及一些其他富裕国家摆脱经济萧条，开始经济扶持，一些企业业务变得繁忙起来。
美国关键经济领域，比如房地产，极大地受到利率的影响。低利率令家庭更容易借到钱买房、企业更容易购置其扩张所需的设备。鉴于此，美国中央银行努力通过降低利率来刺激经济。其中一项措施就是每月购买数百亿美元的有价证券，这一举措力度正被逐渐削减，如果刺激政策持续时间过长，可能会导致通胀，这将对经济不利。
美国能源产量的增加将缓冲上升利率的影响。石油产业专家表示随着液压破裂法更加普遍的应用，美国石油和天然气的产量大幅增加。液压破裂法更广泛的应用增加了美国的石油产量，降低了原油进口成本，让人们有了更多的钱可以花在其他消费品上。然而，批判人士称燃烧化石燃料将加剧气候变化。同时他们还担心液压破裂法的使用会对环境和大众健康产生影响。
能源行业发言人表示这一方法是安全的；但是反对者称一些使用液压破裂法技术的气井污染了附近的水井，并呼吁进一步科学研究。
问题13 根据短文内容，什么刺激着美国的经济增长？
问题14 美国中央银行为了刺激经济采取了什么措施？
问题15 批判人士对液压破裂法的看法是什么？
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